February 5, 2025 
When a group of bourbon enthusiasts comes together, great things happen—especially when it involves handpicking barrels. The Delt Whiskey Enthusiasts, a whiskey group formed by alumni members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, recently embarked on their first official barrel selection, resulting in two unique New Riff Single Barrel picks: “Protimoi 1” and “Protimoi 2.”
As someone who not only appreciates a good pour but also designed the group’s logo, I was excited to see how these selections would compare. Let’s break them down.
New Riff Single Barrel “Protimoi 1” (109.1 Proof)
Nose:
“Protimoi 1” opens with a rich and spicy nose, leading with peanut, white pepper, and nougat. Notes of coffee, pear, and banana add some complexity, giving it an interesting mix of dry, nutty, and fruity characteristics.
Palate:
The sip leans tannic and spice-heavy, with white pepper dominating. A subtle apricot note brightens things up, but overall, the structure is dry and oak-forward. This one is all about depth rather than outright sweetness.
Finish:
The finish is sticky and lingering, with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and light peppermint providing a pleasant, lasting spice. It holds onto its character well, offering a satisfying conclusion.
Final Thoughts:
“Protimoi 1” delivers a bold, structured sip with a well-balanced mix of spice, nuttiness, and fruit. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it offers a full and engaging experience from nose to finish. While the tannic dryness might not be for everyone, it’s a solid pour that keeps you coming back for another sip.
Average Rating: 6.2
- Dylan: 6.2 | Scott: 6.1 | Michael: 6.2 | Chris: 6.3
New Riff Single Barrel “Protimoi 2” (110.2 Proof)
Nose:
“Protimoi 2” presents a sweeter, dessert-like profile on the nose. Candied pecan, vanilla, cocoa, and toffee create a rich opening, while allspice, light peppermint, and orange peel add some depth. However, Chris’s note of “flat Jameson”suggests a slightly muted element in the aroma.
Palate:
The initial sip brings cola, chocolate, raisin, and toffee, setting up what seems like a promising flavor profile. Unfortunately, it doesn’t evolve much beyond that, staying one-dimensional compared to its counterpart.
Finish:
This is where “Protimoi 2” stumbles. While the front end is enjoyable, the finish falls off a cliff, leaving little to savor after the sip.
Final Thoughts:
“Protimoi 2” starts off strong with a nose full of sweet, rich notes and a promising palate. However, it never quite builds on that momentum, making it feel somewhat incomplete. The flavors are enjoyable, but the lack of depth and abrupt finish hold it back from being a truly great pour.
Average Rating: 5.55
- Dylan: 5.2 | Scott: 5.5 | Michael: 5.8 | Chris: 5.7
Final Thoughts & Comparison
Both barrels showcase what makes New Riff Single Barrels exciting—variation, character, and surprises. But when stacked side by side, “Protimoi 1” comes out on top. Its balanced mix of spice, nuttiness, and fruit keeps things interesting from start to finish, while its lingering spice provides a more complete experience.
“Protimoi 2,” while enjoyable at first, lacks the follow-through to make it a standout pour. It delivers on sweetness but fails to hold onto the richness, making it feel incomplete by comparison.
If you’re looking for complexity and structure, “Protimoi 1” is the easy winner. But if you prefer sweeter flavors, even at the cost of a weaker finish, “Protimoi 2” might still be worth a try.
The Verdict
For a first round of barrel picks, Delt Whiskey Enthusiasts did well, highlighting two different sides of New Riff’s single-barrel program. But in this matchup, “Protimoi 1” takes the win, offering a more layered and satisfying pour. Here’s to many more barrel selections ahead!