For his or her Spring 2023 Reserve Sequence launch, Sagamore Spirit is bringing again a well-received and well-aged rye that initially debuted in 2021 with restricted distribution. Whereas a number of the distillery’s core merchandise, just like the Bottled in Bond, have been made with completely house-distilled spirit, this 8-year-old rye is a product of the Baltimore distillery’s earlier, contract distilling years, produced at MGP in Indiana. Along with carrying a barely decrease proof from its predecessor, this one can even be extra extensively accessible throughout the distillery’s distribution footprint. I actually loved the 2021 launch. Let’s see how the sequel compares, we could?
On the nostril, it is a considerably woodier expression however pleasantly so. Rather than the previous’s ginger and pie spice, this newest rye showcases darkish chocolate-covered cherries and a little bit of wintergreen with a dry, graham cracker edge. Damp wooden and candy sawdust notes construct with time within the glass, and the chocolate notes flip lighter and drier, nearly like cocoa powder. The palate is considerably much less punchy than the primary launch however bears the identical rounded, oily texture and an analogous well-balanced profile of spice and citrus. Notes of juicy orange peel and toffee give technique to gently warming black pepper that turns into extra candied ginger because the end arrives with waves of cola, baking spice, and delicate oak. Good factor there’s extra of it to go round this time.
111.4 proof.
A / $80 / sagamorespirit.com [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
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