Review #456 - New Riff Silver Grove Bourbon (2024 Release)

Labeled under the brand 'Silver Grove,' this bourbon is a New Riff annual release. It takes that name from an old whisky bottling from the 1930s, whisky that originated in the Cincinnati, Ohio/Newport, Kentucky area.

This Silver Grove bourbon uses New Riff's standard bourbon mashbill: 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley (this is actually slightly different from the inaugural 2023 Silver Grove release - the 30% rye portion was previously malted rye). Because of that relatively high rye proportion, as well as the barrel proof presentation of 58.1% ABV (116.2 proof) and the aggressive oak maturation style that typically comes with New Riff products, we're expecting that this might be a spicy tasting experience.

Actually, the sales sheet for this bourbon gives even more detail for the maturation technique used: these barrels were pulled from the top 2 floors of New Riff's rickhouse, which totals 5 floors. Because of this placement, which would be the hottest section of the rickhouse, the proof point ends up higher than most New Riff releases, and the flavors are (in theory) expected to be more concentrated and aggressive.

New Riff Silver Grove Bourbon (2024 Release)

USA - Bourbon

Current Locally Available Price: USD 56 (2025)

Age Statement: 4 Years

Strength: 58.1% ABV

Details: Not chill filtered, bottled 2024

Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 5 months; bottles at 100%, 90% (blind tasting), and 70% (blind tasting) fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes

Nose: A mixture of baking notes to start: butterscotch, clove, nutmeg, and caramel. Then that spicy oak profile arrives, bringing barbecued wood and a hint of wood polish. There's a soft grain note in the background, as well as some dry vanilla.

Palate: The mouthfeel is medium-thick; a strong mixture of brown sugar, spicy oak, and caramel in the beginning. Like the nose, the oak takes on a barbecued or mildly smoky flavor, even turning savory at times; pepper, even red pepper flakes, and wood char add more of a kick. There is some sweetness behind that, though - cinnamon candies, mild butterscotch.

Finish: Warming, with a mix of cinnamon rolls and other bready baked goods. The oak start to bring some tannins, but also some toasty notes; there's good oily texture lingering, as well as some char and spice in the aftertaste. It's a medium length finish.

Final Note: Well, New Riff nailed the spicy oak profile with this one. The distillery's releases, many of which are about 4 years old, often have a strong oak character despite their relatively young age; this bottling takes that to another level. Lots of spicy, smoky wood notes, though there is also a sweet baking spice backbone behind that. Compared to their other bourbons, this one came across as more simple, too.

Value is still above average, though - New Riff has always promoted a policy of fair pricing, and that trend extends to their more limited releases, too. If you like a barrel proof spicy oak profile, this could be a great pickup.

Our Average Rating: 6.3 / 10

In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.

Value Rating: 6.62

About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.