New Riff’s 2026 Headliner Hits with Its Boldest, Oldest Lineup Yet
Annual release features three whiskeys aged at least 10 years
Image Credit: New Riff Distillery
Newport, KY (July 17, 2026) - - - New Riff Distilling’s highly anticipated Headliner release returns for a third year, celebrating the distillery’s independent spirit with a blend of three distinct whiskeys, all aged at least 10 years. Proceeds from the release will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati and Tri-State Trails. For more information, visit newriffdistilling.com.
Bringing together familiar fan favorites in a lineup that is both recognizable and entirely new, this year’s Headliner features a blend of 50% 11-year-old Malted Rye bourbon, 25% 11-year-old Rye and 25% 10-year-old Balboa Rye. It is the first Headliner release where every component is at least a decade old and marks New Riff’s first 50/50 bourbon and rye blend.
“We always look forward to creating Headliner each year because it gives us a chance to step outside our everyday work and approach blending as a true creative exercise,” said Master Distiller Brian Sprance. “It's an opportunity to revisit some of our favorite whiskies from throughout the years and experiment with combinations we might not otherwise explore. We started with a lot of possibilities but kept coming back to three standout components. Maybe it’s no coincidence that some of our favorite punk bands only needed three members. This trio just worked, creating something exciting, distinctive, and driven by our way of doing things.”
More than a decade after filling its first barrels, New Riff continues to prove that honoring whiskey tradition doesn't mean following convention. The 2026 Headliner reflects that philosophy, bringing together some of the distillery's oldest and most distinctive whiskeys in a blend that's unmistakably New Riff.
Bottled without chill filtration at 118.8 proof, this year’s Headliner opens with rich oak layered with dark fruits and pine on the nose, followed by familiar New Riff clove, black pepper and warm baking spice. The palate is rich and balanced, opening with fig, raisin and honeyed currant before deep oak and dark spice gather across the midpalate. The finish is long and resinous — yet dry with lingering oak tannins, pine, black pepper and a final echo of dark fruit.
This year’s release continues the Headliner tradition of supporting local charitable causes, with proceeds from bottle sales benefiting three regional nonprofits. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati provides mentoring services to more than 1,000 children and their families on an annual basis across 13 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Tri-State Trails works to connect people and places with a regional trail and bikeway network to enhance vibrancy and equity in the community.
“Headliner represents what happens when we give our team the freedom to push boundaries while staying true to who we are,” said President Mollie Lewis. “That same philosophy extends beyond our walls. We're proud that every bottle of Headliner supports organizations that are helping build stronger, more connected communities throughout our region.”
The 2026 Headliner release will retail for $150 per bottle. A limited number of bottles will be released, and they will be available for purchase on Friday, July 24, at 11 a.m. Eastern through New Riff’s Whiskey Club. Membership is free at www.newriffwhiskeyclub.com. There is a limit of 1 bottle per person. Bottles will be available for pickup only and cannot be shipped.
New Riff (Newport, KY):
Fiercely independent and unabashedly innovative: New Riff Distilling starts with time-honored sour mash methods and bottled-in-bond standards, creating new riffs on old traditions since 2014. Located in Northern Kentucky and — the gateway to bourbon country — the independently-owned distillery produces award-winning bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey and gin, including its acclaimed flagship Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey which was named the World’s Best Bourbon at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards. Bourbon and rye are also available in single barrel selections, and the distillery boasts a popular private barrel selection program offering quarter, half and full barrel picks complete with personalized labels. New Riff sources its water from an alluvial aquifer under the distillery, accessed via a 100’ deep private well and providing cold, clean and mineral-rich water perfect for whiskey making. The public-facing spaces in the distillery, renovated in 2023, include the Riff Shop with customizable gifting options and locally sourced artisan goods; and The Aquifer Tasting Room, located on the third floor of the distillery, featuring signature cocktails, flights, and pours of New Riff’s entire portfolio of award-winning spirits including rare, limited-edition, and distillery-exclusive releases.
