Celebrating its first decade in distilling, New Riff Distilling announced the Headliner special edition.
This will be the first release of the expression, which will become an annual release, will take center stage along with a 10-day lineup of events at the distillery beginning tomorrow (July 11), and is anchored by the distillery’s first batches of bourbon, now 10 years old.
“We asked our distilling team to bring something that is truly special and an expression of their creativity,” said New Riff Distilling President Mollie Lewis. “Since our founding in 2014, we’ve focused on making exceptional, innovative whiskey while supporting our beloved Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati community. This inaugural Headliner release is like bringing all your favorite artists together into one band. With proceeds from each bottle going to local charitable organizations, this whiskey is sure to earn a well-deserved encore.”
The inaugural Headliner release is bottled at barrel proof and features a mashbill of 45% 10-year-old bourbon, 20% 9-year-old bourbon, 30% 9-year-old rye and 5% 7-year-old single malt whiskey, collectively reflecting New Riff’s flagship bourbon mashbill of 65% corn, 30% rye and 5% malted barley. Half of proceeds from each bottle will go directly to three charities in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati (Brighton Center, Green Umbrella and Horizon Community Funds) that align with New Riff’s core values.
The unique label is inspired by classic concert posters and was designed and hand-screen printed by Cincinnati-area companies Dewhaus and DIY Printing respectively, with additional label printing from Northern Kentucky-based Otto’s Printing and Steinhauser.
Only about 700 bottles of Headliner will be released, with the distillery offering a lottery system for chances to purchase. Each entry is $5, which will be donated to the three nonprofits, and each chance is also offset with a $5 gift certificate to The Aquifer, the distillery’s tasting room and cocktail bar. Multiple chances may be purchased, but there is a limit of one bottle per person.
New Riff is also collaborating with Cincinnati’s HighGrain Brewing to produce a commemorative beer named Aqui Brew. Brewed with water from the aquifer located underneath the distillery and the same corn used to make New Riff, this pilsner will be available at The Aquifer Tasting Room and both HighGrain locations. It will also be available on draft at area bars and restaurants and in six-packs at select retailers in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati.
From July 11-21, New Riff will host a 10-day lineup of celebratory offerings including gift shop discounts, cocktail specials, live music, on-site food partners and surprise bottle offerings from past releases each day. Each nonprofit partner benefiting from the Headliner release will be highlighted one evening at the distillery. A commemorative 10th anniversary logo will be featured on limited edition merchandise available in the gift shop and online.
New Riff Headliner retails for $250 per bottle, with $125 being donated to the three designated charities.
