Whiskey Review: New Riff 2026 Single Malt Whiskey

Note: This review of Maker’s Mark New Riff 2026 Single Malt Whiskey reflects the personal opinions of Editor Kyle Swartz. This bottle was sent to him as a media sample.

This release marks the fourth edition in the distillery’s Single Malt series, which first rolled out to retail in 2023. The 2026 release includes six mashbills aged in five cask types. The blend also introduces Chevallier, a British heirloom malt variety from the 19th century. It comes bottled at 110 proof. The suggested retail price is $69.99 per 750-ml. bottle.

Nose:

Plenty of tasty barley (duh), chocolate, and toasted citrus like an Old Fashioned garnish. Notes of cherry, hay, and tea. Very well balanced.

Palate:

Layers of lovely barley. The sweet notes from the nose turn more towards bready and barnyard hay flavors. Darker chocolate, stone fruits, and more burnt orange. Medium body and mouthfeel.

Finish:

That toasty citrus flavors remains, with barley, cocoa, and darker fruits. Medium finish, but a nice rounded end to an extremely drinkable pour.

Upshot:

I’ve enjoyed this entire series and the 2026 is more of the good stuff. This is a complex, interesting, well-made whiskey without any noticeable flaws. Not the flashiest single malt I’ve ever tasted, but extremely smooth and drinkable. At $70, you’d be hard pressed to find an American single malt that is noticeably better at this price point. New Riff continues to impress with its annual release in this category.

Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics. Reach him at kswartz@epgacceleration.com. Read his recent piece, The 2026 Spirits Growth Brands Awards Winners.

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