New Riff Balboa Rye Bottled-in-Bond

New Riff Balboa Rye is a Bottled-in-Bond straight rye whiskey crafted from a mashbill of 95% heirloom Balboa rye and 5% malted rye, aged at least four years and bottled at 100 proof without chill filtration. On the nose, it delivers aromas of red fruit, clove, rye bread, black pepper, and baking spices. The palate is rich and chewy with notes of spiced fruit compote, cinnamon, rye grain, peppercorn, and subtle herbal sweetness, leading to a long finish marked by clove, pink peppercorn, and lingering rye spice. The heirloom grain creates a softer, fruitier, and more rounded profile than many traditional rye whiskeys while still showcasing classic rye character. What makes Balboa Rye special is the grain itself. Balboa rye is an heirloom variety dating back to the 1940s that had largely disappeared from commercial agriculture before New Riff partnered with an Indiana farmer to revive it for whiskey production. The distillery is believed to be the first to distill Balboa rye into whiskey in decades, creating a truly unique expression that cannot be replicated by standard rye varieties. The whiskey has earned significant recognition, including being named one of the top whiskeys in the world by Whisky Advocate, and is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive heirloom grain projects in American whiskey today.