The limited-edition bourbon, priced at $100 per bottle, will fund a new lab bench at LifeSciKY’s upcoming 15,000-square-foot facility in Covington. The partnership represents an unusual funding approach for scientific infrastructure, combining Kentucky’s bourbon heritage with its growing life sciences sector.
LifeSciKY Partners with New Riff Distilling for Research Funding
The four-year-old single barrel bourbon was hand-selected by the LifeSciKY team and bottled at barrel proof without chill filtration. According to official tasting notes from New Riff, their single barrel bourbons typically deliver bold, spicy notes, though each barrel offers its own unique flavor profile.
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“This is more than a great bottle of bourbon – it’s an investment in Kentucky’s next generation of scientific breakthroughs,” said Dr. Christin Godale, Executive Director of LifeSciKY. “Each bottle is a tribute to Kentucky’s rich scientific heritage and a toast to the future of life sciences innovation. By purchasing a bottle, you are helping to provide lab resources for the next generation of scientists, researchers, and founders.”
The organization, founded in November 2022, aims to provide affordable laboratory space and equipment for startup biotechnology companies.
The partnership draws connections between Kentucky’s established bourbon industry and its emerging life sciences sector. Both industries rely on precise scientific processes, from distillation chemistry to pharmaceutical research. LifeSciKY’s new facility at the OneNKY Center will open later this year, addressing a critical need for early-stage biotech companies in Northern Kentucky.
New Riff Distilling Supports Local Innovation Through LifeSciKY Collaboration
New Riff President Mollie Lewis emphasized the local impact of the partnership, noting the distillery’s commitment to supporting regional innovation. “New Riff is proud to partner with LifeSciKY, a local organization helping shape Kentucky’s future in science and discovery,” said Lewis. “Just as we’re rooted in quality and driven by innovation, LifeSciKY is nurturing the next wave of thinkers, builders, and problem solvers. This collaboration is a celebration of shared values: supporting innovation, investing in our region, and building something meaningful together, right here at home.”
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The distillery, known for its bottled-in-bond standards and innovative approaches to traditional whiskey-making, sees the collaboration as aligned with its values of quality and innovation.
Pre-orders for the bourbon begin today (July 7) and run through July 18 at New Riff’s website. Bottles will be available for pickup from LifeSciKY’s location in the OneNKY building starting September 12, with advance notice required.
LifeSciKY’s facility will serve early-stage companies developing healthcare technologies and life sciences innovations. The organization provides not just laboratory space but also essential resources and community support for scientific entrepreneurs. Each bottle sold directly contributes to expanding these capabilities through new equipment purchases.
The bourbon release highlights Northern Kentucky’s dual identity as both a gateway to bourbon country and an emerging hub for life sciences innovation. As the region continues to develop its biotechnology sector, partnerships like this demonstrate how traditional industries can support new economic development initiatives.
