Founded in 2014 by Ken Lewis, a visionary Kentucky entrepreneur and proud member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, New Riff has spent the past decade building a distillery rooted in craft, innovation, and uncompromising quality. After ten years of growth, we’re proud to see New Riff products in all 50 states, and across the globe, a milestone that reflects both the reach of our spirits and the continued support of our community.
Located in Newport, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, New Riff Distilling sits at the gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Founder Ken Lewis recognized both the deep rooted whiskey history of the Greater Cincinnati region and the opportunity to help reestablish Northern Kentucky as a true bourbon destination. Today, we’re proud to call Newport home, building on that legacy as one of the region’s premier distilleries and contributing to a growing, vibrant whiskey community.
We are independently owned by one family, and that independence, freedom from outside pressures or interests, allows us to pursue quality without compromise. We distill, age, and bottle all of our own spirits, crafting award-winning Bourbon, Rye, Single Malt Whiskey, and Gin, a commitment recently recognized with the title of 2026 World’s Best Bourbon at the World Whiskies Awards. That pursuit begins with Bottled In Bond, the world’s highest standard for quality in a brown spirit, and we proudly push it further by bottling every New Riff spirit Without Chill Filtration, preserving the fullest integrity, character, and structure of what we craft.
We honor the traditions of Kentucky whiskey making while daring to do things differently, always riffing boldly, but staying true to our roots, our people, and our standards.
New Riff Works
Since our founding, we’ve made giving back a core part of who we are, using our whiskey and our platform to lift up the communities where we live and work. Through specialty releases, programs, and partnerships, we support local organizations and strengthen the people and places we call home.
We honor the traditions of Kentucky whiskey making while daring to do things differently, always riffing boldly but staying true to our roots, our people, and our standards.
How Would You Like to Buy?
*Due to state regulations, we are unable to sell or ship spirits directly to certain states. Availability and shipping options may vary based on your location. Please check local laws before placing an order.
