New Riff leverages a unique mash bill to create a truly one of a kind bourbon experience.
A little background on this bottle before we get to the tasting notes. New Riff currently offers two "Malster" bottles in its portfolio, Malted Rye and Malted Wheat. Both expressions are produced using unique mash bills based on recipes from the New Riff Distilling team's background in craft beer brewing.
The mash bill for the Malted Wheat version of Malster is unlike anything I've ever seen before:
65% Corn
18% Bohemian Floor Malted Wheat
10% Unmalted Wheat
7% Dark Wheat
Don't let all the various wheat grains intimidate you. I don't know what they are either. Just know that If you like "wheated" bourbons, New Riff probably had you in mind when they put this mash bill together.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Oak and grain forward, with light notes of caramel and vanilla. There's a fair amount of heat and a minty note that creeps in and out of the glass.
Palate: The mouthfeel is full and creamy. It has a light and airy texture to it, but it's not thin by any means. Notes of oak and caramel hit up front but fade quickly to more dominate notes of mint and chocolate in the mid to back palate.
Finish: This is a bourbon that coats your entire mouth and packs a surprising amount of spice. Notes of oak and cocoa quickly develop into a minty spice that lingers long after each sip. This is a bottle that punches above its 100 proof statement.
The mash bill for the Malted Wheat version of Malster is unlike anything I've ever seen before...
Final Thoughts
There's a lot to like about New Riff's Malster Malted Wheat. It has a unique mash bill, carries a reasonable MSRP of $49.99, and it's bottled-in-bond. According to New Riff Malster Malted Wheat carries a minimum age statement of at least five years. Which is one more year than legally required by the Bottled-in-Bond act. So, what's not to like?
The answer to that question comes down to personal taste. Malster Malted Wheat is without question a high quality bourbon. If you're fan of New Riff Distillery or enjoy quality whiskeys with unique taste profiles, Malster Malted Wheat is a great buy at its suggested retail price of $50. It provides a unique tasting experience but most importantly it still tastes a like a New Riff bourbon.
Unfortunately for me, I'm just not a fan of "minty" notes in bourbon or rye whiskeys. I feel lucky to have gotten my hands on this bottle, but the next time I see Malster Malted Wheat sitting on the shelf, I'll leave it for someone else to enjoy.
Final Score: 191 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (Reasonably priced, high-quality bourbon)
New Riff Malster with Malted Wheat Photo Gallery
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