Remus Repeal Reserve Series III (2019 Medley)

To alter the experience, a person I know provided me with several unmarked samples, each bearing a unique shape or code to keep their identity concealed until after tasting. It's unknown if a rye will be mistaken for bourbon or a finish will be entirely missed, but I'm eager to discover the results, so let's proceed with this blind challenge using the vial marked with a star. I wonder if this sample is perhaps a favorite, earning an elementary school teacher's approval for a job well done with a gold star, but it's time to uncork the vial and determine if this endeavor is worthwhile or not. The aroma presents butterscotch cream cheese frosting, followed by the fruits of figgy pudding, Granny Smith apple peel, and mandarin oranges, which then shifts to star anise, cardamom, leather, and dusty oak with a moderate ethanol presence. The flavor offers a medium mouthfeel, commencing with creamy vanilla pudding, alongside cherries jubilee and apple crumble, transitioning to dark chocolate black bean brownies, along with spices like star anise, dill, saffron, cardamom, leather, and dusty oak, with a moderate ethanol presence. The finish is lengthy, featuring cherry-flavored red vines, apple crumble, cinnamon red hots, a high-percentage dark chocolate, dill, cardamom, saffron, leather, and dusty oak that persists for several minutes. Wow, this certainly merits that gold star, as this is a nearly flawless creation! There are numerous layers of flavors, with each sip revealing classic bourbon characteristics blended with the earthy minerality of high-percentage dark chocolate and black beans, intertwined with exotic spices I wouldn't expect in bourbon, culminating in a long and intricate finish. So, what exactly is this masterpiece that earned the gold star? It's Remus Repeal Reserve III! I'm genuinely surprised and disappointed in myself for not having purchased a Remus Repeal sooner. For its price point under $100, this is an exceptional and remarkably good value whiskey that has now captured my attention for future releases.

Bold claims have been made about this combination of 11 and 12-year-old bourbons. The presentation is not without its charm and appeal. The cost is also substantial, exceeding the price of well-known 12-year-old bottles of ECBP. Upon opening, the initial aroma is of cranberry juice and tobacco. In the glass, notes of aged leather, smooth vanilla frosting, cinnamon, fruitcake, and a lingering hint of pipe tobacco emerge. There's also a distinct ethanol bite, more noticeable than typically found at 100 proof, yet without a corresponding ethanol scent. Wow, this presents as leather, an unusual mineral quality (distinct from Dickel, more akin to fertilizer than flint), rich dark fruits, cardamom, a whisper of anise, and then a long, tingling sensation fading into an oily, rich vanilla finish with aged, slightly drying oak notes. This is unconventional. I'm instantly captivated because it offers a unique spice profile and mineral character not found in other bourbons. I'm perhaps unfairly comparing it to George T. Stagg, but if you were to place a dusty old quilt over the intense heat of GTS to dampen it, I imagine you'd find something similar! Without the intense heat, it's almost easier to analyze, though it requires patience. I've never sampled a Remus Reserve before. This one sat on a local shelf for at least a month, and I finally decided to purchase the last bottle. I'm incredibly pleased I did. The aroma, texture, the gradually unfolding taste, and finish are all exceptional. It drinks like a much older spirit, and I plan to savor this bottle over time. If the fourth iteration is anything like the third, my pursuit of rare spirits will be (frustratingly) rekindled.

Nose - butterscotch, vanilla, brown sugar, dark chocolate, cinnamon, leather, raspberry, nutmeg, cherry, sweet floral notes, peanut butter, orange, rich oak, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - caramel, vanilla, black cherry, peanut, cocoa, cinnamon, chocolate, clove, apple, black pepper, anise, mint, sour oak, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with caramel, black cherry, and baking spice flavors. Next on my list of George Remus offerings is this third Repeal Reserve release. The nose is very nice with a dense, dark, fruity sweetness. There’s a buttery, nutty chocolate aroma alongside strong baking spices. In short, it’s a solid, rich, fruit-forward bourbon nose. The palate arrives sweet and a bit hot. Many of the same qualities present here. There’s some black pepper, mint, oak, and apple in the mix as well. The mouthfeel is thin and the finish is slightly above average. I wish the palate was as good the nose. This smells so good, but the flavors fall flat and there’s an unfortunate sour note that pervades the experience. Nevertheless, this is good bourbon, but I bet it would have been excellent bourbon at a higher proof and with some older stock in the batch. A big thank you to a friend for the generous sample! I’ll wrap up the series tomorrow with the fifth Repeal Reserve release.

I could comment on the professional ratings, but let's proceed. Nose - Initially, I detect some dill, possibly from the 36% rye mash bill, but thankfully it's subsiding. I'm getting cinnamon, strong vanilla reminiscent of cake frosting, some fruity notes, a trace of tobacco, and more fruity notes. Taste - I need to articulate the essence of classic MGP. While I do perceive a slight dill sourness, I'm experiencing numerous characteristics of aged whiskey: tobacco, a hint of leather, considerable spice, yet also younger notes with a bit more intensity than expected from a 50% ABV bottle, a touch of youthful oak, and some unusual flavors. I wasn't fond of this upon opening, but my opinion has completely changed; it's remarkably good for its age, and I'm quite pleased to own it. You can decide about the $85 price point; in my opinion, it's a bit steep for a 10 and 11-year-old bourbon, but these are unusual times for bourbon. Rated 3.5 stars, a very high score for me for a bourbon of this age, but they've truly accomplished something here. This bourbon displays far greater complexity than ECBP or EHT barrel proof, two highly regarded bourbons. While they possess advantages beyond just barrel proof, I believe MGP has achieved something special with these bourbon blends and their transparency.

Although it was released in the Fall of 2019, I had trouble locating this in my area. Several stores still have Series II, which I greatly enjoyed. The composition of this release differs, with a considerably reduced amount of high-rye bourbon, making up only 10% of the blend. Nose - Classic bourbon aromas of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I also detect red apples, candied orange peel, black tea, and a subtle hint of dark cherries. There's a faint trace of the MGP oak funk that I appreciate, but it's very mild. Palate - The mouthfeel was somewhat thin. Caramel, oak, baking spices, and vanilla dominate. An orange note, uncommon in MGP, is also present. Rye spice is minimal. The finish primarily consists of caramel/vanilla and a touch of cinnamon/nutmeg. It doesn't fully reach the back of the palate, briefly lingering on the front/mid-palate before fading. Overall, it's quite good, but it's also somewhat disappointing because it doesn't meet the expectations set by Series II. I'd describe it as a smoother/sweeter bourbon, perhaps more approachable, but it lacks the earthy/oaky characteristics I seek in aged MGP bourbon.

Taste: Sampled neat, 2 oz. in a glen cairn glass Nose: Black licorice (anise), figs, and vanilla. A very inviting and rich aroma. Palate: A distinct grape-like quality and sweetness. I detect abundant dark fruit notes, possibly black plum coated in caramel. I thoroughly enjoy the palate. While some might find the sweetness a drawback, I find it quite appealing. Finish: Extended and warming with a subtle hint of nutmeg and baking spice. The warmth is comforting rather than overwhelming. It leaves a pleasant warmth on the face. Overall: I wasn't impressed with the second release. It didn't quite align with my preferences, and I was hesitant to pay $79.99 given the availability of excellent cask-strength MGP. However, the third release was different for me. It was sweeter, smoother, coating, and comforting – everything I desire in a bourbon. It evoked memories of older, discontinued bottles. I initially hesitated, and my liquor dealer had to persuade me, but I'm very glad he did.