Remus Single Barrel Straight Bourbon (2022 Release)

This selection is from the Bull City Bourbon Club, called "Take the Cannoli." The bottle provides no details about the barrel. It has been open for two months. The aroma presents hot and spicy rye, baking spices, grain, black pepper, toffee, dark caramel, orange peel, Chai tea, subtle oak, and strong ethanol. On the palate, the heat and rye spice persist, with notes of medicinal cherry, artificial orange, cinnamon, black pepper, grainy caramel, and gingerbread. The finish is medium, featuring more pronounced oak tannins, slightly herbal rye spice, burnt caramel, grain, and a spicy ethanol kick. This falls between the overly grainy and immature MGP bourbons from brands like Old Scout, Old Soul, and Pinhook, and the richer, superior MGP bourbons from Belle Meade and Smoke Wagon. It doesn't quite measure up to Smoke Wagon, but it's approaching Belle Meade's level (which might not matter in a year when all the older Belle Meade stock is gone). Would I purchase this again? Probably not. For the price, there are too many other options I favor. It's better than most sourced MGP bourbons I've tried, but not necessarily the best value considering Old Scout Cask Strength is available for $35 in NC.

A TJ’s Market Store Pick from 2022, this is 7 years old and 114.2 proof. Nose: You need to inhale deeply, but I detect dark caramel and barrel oak. It took some time to open up. Palate: Brown sugar with aged fruits. It has one of the best weighted mouthfeels I've experienced in a while, perfect for savoring. Finish: Tobacco gives way to the brown sugar found on the palate. It has the ideal balance of proof and spice to make your entire tongue tingle. It doesn't drink like 114.2 proof, which is a great positive. As a daily drinker, I love it, but I wonder if it would be a better pairing with a cigar if it were 10 or 15 points higher. However, that might mean I wouldn't finish the bottle.

Wonderful aroma. Conventional notes with pleasant vanilla and toffee present. Certainly some tobacco notes which are loved. Before tasting, noticeable thickness. A very agreeable viscous sensation. Although it's around 115 proof, none of that high proof appears in the taste, as the aromatic notes transition to the palate. A slight amount of pepper and spice at the back of the palate, and the finish is lengthy and very warming. This is a triumph and superior to bottles priced twice as high.

On the nose: I detect a deep-fried Oreo, with that cookie flavor definitely coming through. I really enjoyed that aspect. On the Palate: Brown sugar or cake batter, I got hints of both with different sips. Finish: Abundant flavor here, which is a positive. Brown sugar with subtle spice notes. I appreciated the mystery surrounding this one. I love the cookie and cream taste and the brown sugar notes.

This single barrel pick, from the Fall Festival in 2022, is 109.1 proof. It shows no legs in the glass. The nose is light, with fresh apples, hay, sweet prunes, and a hint of cigar. The palate remains fruity and light, with just a touch of caramel. Spice only appears if you hold the whiskey in your mouth. The finish is short, mirroring the flavor profile. It's a fairly simple drink.

Nose of honey, floral, and sawdust with rye and sweetgrass. Vanilla and toffee notes emerge. On the palate, a touch of oak with ginger, cinnamon, caramel, clove, and apple. A robust, spicy sip. An herbal sagebrush note in the background. A balanced, spicy finish with apple pie and raisin flavors. Compares favorably to Maker’s Mark cask strength.