A Northern Kentucky distillery is once again bringing home the gold — and double gold — from a prestigious spirits competition.
New Riff Distilling in Newport says it recently won 12 medals — one for each of its entries — at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), a renowned event that features a thoughtfully curated list of judges conducting blind tastings. Winners range from some of the most well-known international distillers to small-batch producers.
Awards were announced May 8, with New Riff earning two Double Gold, one Gold and nine Silver medals. New Riff’s Sherry Finish Malted Rye was also named a “Best of Class” finalist in the Special-Barrel Finished Whiskey category.
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“New Riff is honored to be recognized in the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition and by a respected panel of judges,” New Riff President Mollie Lewis said in a press release. “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.”
New Riff received the Double Gold — the highest-ranking award — for its 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which is available now at retailers nationwide. In addition to being named a “Best of Class” finalist, the Sherry Finish Malted Rye also received Double Gold. A limited release, this bourbon is set to return to New Riff this fall.
The Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey received a gold medal, and the following spirits won silver:
- Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
- 6-Year-Old Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
- 8-Year-Old Rye Whiskey
- Balboa Rye Whiskey
- Malted Rye Whiskey
- Winter Whiskey
- 2024 Single Malt
- Barrel Aged Gin
Several other Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky distilleries took home medals, as well:
Augusta Distillery
- Buckners 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon (Double Gold)
- Buckners 15 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon (Double Gold)
- Buckners 17 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon (Double Gold)
- Old Route 8 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon (Gold)
Neeley Family Distillery
- Hidden Barn Organic Wheated Straight Bourbon (Gold)
- Hidden Barn Series 1 “Cherry Picker” Bourbon (Gold)
- Single Barrel Bourbon (Gold)
- The Old Jett Brothers Finished in New Toasted French Oak Bourbon (Gold)
- Bottled in Bond Bourbon (Silver)
- Hidden Barn Organic Wheated Straight Bourbon (Silver)
- R.D.R. Neeley Sweet Thumped Rye Whiskey (Silver)
- Two Moons Organic Wheat Vodka (Silver)
New Richmond Distilleries
- Grant Battle of Whisky Series Fort Henry & Fort Donelson (Double Gold)
- Grant Battle of Whisky Series Shiloh Bourbon (Silver)
Pensive Distilling Company
- 1944 (Gold)
- Indigo Gin (Silver)
- Vodka (Silver)
Wenzel Whiskey
- Rectifier Rye Whiskey (Double Gold)
- Wheated Whiskey (Gold)
- Sherry Finished Bourbon (Silver)
You can see the full results of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition here.
This article appears in May 14-27, 2025.
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