New Riff founder named to Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame

New Riff founder Ken Lewis is being inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame.

Lewis retired in March after a 50-year career in the beverage alcohol industry. In addition to founding New Riff, Lewis started The Party Source and drove legal and legislative changes to allow Sunday and credit card alcohol sales. 

In 2014, Lewis launched New Riff Distilling in Newport with the goal of creating one of the world’s great small distilleries based on innovation and collaboration to “riff” on the old ways and redefine new benchmarks of whiskey making. 

“From my early days in beverage alcohol retailing to the success of The Party Source, then launching New Riff Distilling, I have seen the industry change tremendously throughout my 50-year career,” Lewis said. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association by being inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and to join the other inductees whose achievements have brought prestige not only to the bourbon industry but also to the state of Kentucky.” 

This year’s class will officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame in September.