New Riff Distilling Earns 12 Medals at 2025  San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Newport distillery receives medal for every entry and named a “Best of Class” finalist from esteemed competition

Newport, KY (May 13, 2025) – – – New Riff Distilling continues to raise the bar in the spirits world after earning 12 medals at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In the awards announced Thursday, May 8, New Riff earned medals for every entry — two Double Gold, one Gold and nine Silver medals — and their Sherry Finish Malted Rye was named a “Best of Class” finalist. For more information, visit newriffdistilling.com.  

“New Riff is honored to be recognized in the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition and by a respected panel of judges,” said President Mollie Lewis. “These medals are a testament to the craftmanship, dedication and passion of our team, and we are immensely proud to see our work acknowledged at such a high level.”  

The Double Gold award, the competition’s highest ranking, was awarded to New Riff 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which consumers can now find at retailers nationwide. A limited release set to return this fall, New Riff Sherry Finish Malted Rye also earned double gold and was named a “Best of Class” finalist in the Special-Barrel Finished Whiskey category. Additionally, New Riff Distilling’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey received a gold medal. 

Spirits receiving silver medals include New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey; New Riff 6-Year-Old Single Barrel Rye Whiskey; New Riff 8-Year-Old Rye Whiskey; New Riff Balboa Rye Whiskey; New Riff Malted Rye Whiskey; New Riff Winter Whiskey; New Riff 2024 Single Malt; and New Riff Barrel Aged Gin.  

Founded in 2000, the SFWSC is one of the world’s most respected spirits competitions. During the competition, blind tastings are conducted by a thoughtfully curated list of judges, each with a seasoned, trusted palate. 

Medal winners range from the most renowned international distillers to small-batch producers. Earning an SFWSC award is a testament to hard work and an indicator of the highest caliber of quality. Visit sfspiritscomp.com  to review the complete list of 2025 results. 

Photos courtesy New Riff Distilling are available here.  

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 — the gateway to bourbon country — the independently-owned distillery produces award-winning bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey and gin. 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. 

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