The Aquifer at New Riff Distilling

Interior Architecture- Large Scale (>5,000 sf)

Project Narrative

Established in 2014 as ‘a new riff on an old tradition,’ New Riff Distilling opened its doors four years before any barrels of its craft bourbon were ready to be poured. While patiently waiting through the distilling process, the young brand utilized the public spaces of their facility as a small bar, gift shop, and event venue to offset the cost of running a distillery before the propriety product was available to sell. In 2018, the signature bourbon was flowing, and New Riff became a stop on the historic Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

By 2023, it was apparent the nine-year-old industrial-style building would need significant renovations. After conducting programming studies, the decision was made to restructure the 10,437-square-foot third-floor, which was being used as an event rental space, to The Aquifer Tasting Room bar and lounge.

Our firm was engaged to create a space that truly resonated with the brand. It needed to feel elevated, but not pretentious. Our design was inspired by the diligence of the bourbon aging process, and we approached the design with a slow burn in mind. Our goal was to create an aesthetic that embodies the warm, comforting feeling you’re greeted with after a sip of great bourbon.

The entrance corridor to The Aquifer Tasting Room was designed to create a forced perspective, intriguing guests with a glimpse of the glowing copper ceiling, illuminated by the custom logo light fixture suspended above the full length of the bar. Subtle nods to the bourbon-making process are woven throughout the space, like the 32-foot bar wrapped in vertical white oak slats that transition to black, creating a gradient as you walk around the bar—a nod to the color change bourbon undergoes as it ages in white oak barrels. The rich copper hue of New Riff’s whiskey is incorporated throughout the space in everything from the copper ceiling down to metallic copper threads in the drapes.

To balance the industrial quality of the original space, we added relaxed furnishings and soft lighting that would make the space feel more intimate. We centered the bar in the room to break up the large space and create multiple seating vignettes. With the existing industrial materials and high ceilings, the acoustics of the space was an important factor to consider. We employed a variety of solutions, including custom upholstered banquettes and other soft seating throughout, copper acoustic drapery, loose rugs under lounge seating, and SonaKrete Spray, a sound absorptive material applied between the ceiling beams to match the ceiling paint, making it nearly impossible to detect.

Every detail of The Aquifer Tasting Room was thoughtfully selected to set the tone for the elevated experience New Riff Distilling creates for their guests.