Brian Sprance
Master Distiller
Mollie Lewis
President
Hannah Lowen
Chief Executive Officer
Denny Gorman
Chief Operating Officer
As Ken stepped into retirement in 2024, the next generation of leadership carried forward our founding vision: to someday be counted among the world’s great small distilleries, a long-term pursuit with no single title to earn and no finish line to cross.
That same year, we proudly named Brian Sprance Master Distiller after more than a decade shaping New Riff from the inside out as Head Distiller. Trained by Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Famer Larry Ebersold and grounded in a deep background in brewing, Brian carries forward the time-honored Kentucky Regimen while bringing curiosity and creativity to every mashbill. His brewing roots fuel both discipline and innovation, honoring the great Bourbon makers of the past while continuing to play our own riff.
Today, New Riff is led by President Mollie Lewis, continuing family ownership into its next chapter, alongside CEO Hannah Lowen, one of the earliest members of the New Riff team, and COO Denny Gorman. Together, this team carries the vision forward with the same independent spirit, curiosity, and long view that have defined New Riff from the start.
As Ken stepped into retirement in 2024, the next generation of leadership carried forward our founding vision: to someday be counted among the world’s great small distilleries, a long-term pursuit with no single title to earn and no finish line to cross.
That same year, we proudly named Brian Sprance Master Distiller after more than a decade shaping New Riff from the inside out as Head Distiller. Trained by Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Famer Larry Ebersold and grounded in a deep background in brewing, Brian carries forward the time-honored Kentucky Regimen while bringing curiosity and creativity to every mashbill. His brewing roots fuel both discipline and innovation, honoring the great Bourbon makers of the past while continuing to play our own riff.
Today, New Riff is led by President Mollie Lewis, continuing family ownership into its next chapter, alongside CEO Hannah Lowen, one of the earliest members of the New Riff team, and COO Denny Gorman. Together, this team carries the vision forward with the same independent spirit, curiosity, and long view that have defined New Riff from the start.
We’re family owned, fiercely independent, fighting the good fight with confidence, creativity, innovation and sparkle – oh and we try and have fun doing it.
We’re motivated, passionate, curious, ready to solve problems and full of “get up and go!”
We strive for excellence in our craft. We’re proud, knowledgeable, and driven.
We care about our people – our team, their families, our customers and our community.
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*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.
