A cylinder liner assembly is disclosed for use with an engine. The cylinder liner assembly may include a liner having a hollow generally cylindrical body extending from a top end to a bottom end along a longitudinal axis, and an internal annular cuff ring groove formed at the top end of the liner. An internal surface of the internal cuff ring groove may include a metal spray coating having a thermal conductivity that is less than a thermal conductivity of a base material of the liner to act as a thermal insulating layer. A cuff ring may be disposed within the internal cuff ring groove at the top end of the liner in contact with the metal spray coating. A seal may be disposed around an outer circumferential surface of the liner approximately in axial alignment with an internal axial end of the internal cuff ring groove.