Sagamore Spirit Rye Ale Finish Rye

Smell: Dill, basil, thyme. A slight camphor note. There's a scent that reminds me of freshly rubbed hops - I didn't recognize it at first until I read a review mentioning it. Once I noticed it, I was transported back to the hop storage area at Sierra Nevada, picking up bunches of hops, rubbing them between my hands, and taking a deep inhale. There's some sweetness in the background - mild vanilla and brown sugar. Oak is present, though not overpowering. Mint. Dark chocolate-covered strawberries. Graham crackers with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. Some fruit notes, but nothing extreme. The finishing process seems to be muting some flavors while emphasizing others. A slightly earthy undertone in the very back. A bit distinctive, but not revolutionary. Taste: Sweet basil, thyme, dill. Vanilla with a hint of white sugar. A little oak. Mint chocolate chip ice cream, cigar tobacco. Nutmeg, clove, allspice. Strawberries. Faintly roasted nuts. There's an almost ashy, earthy quality I can't quite pinpoint. A touch of bubblegum character, too. Some bitterness, not entirely from tannins. Apples - both sweet and tart. That ashy, earthy note is now closer to dust and leather - also deeply toasted, almost burnt peppercorns. Maraschino cherries. The taste is focused in the mid-palate with good development on the upper palate, though not much on the lower. The mouthfeel is medium-light. Aftertaste: Herbal, slightly vegetal, and slightly bitter. The oak is a bit more noticeable, though not significantly. It evolves into fire-roasted bell peppers, cumin, toasted black pepper, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, all alongside bright, sweet lemons and mint. Cream appears, along with classic vanilla and sugar. Everything seems to compete for attention, never fully harmonizing. It has a medium-long length - there's a decent amount of oil content here. Other notes: As a resident of Chico, CA, I have a preference for Sierra Nevada. In fact, their barrel aging facility is close to my office (when not in quarantine). When I first heard about this, I was intrigued. The concept seemed interesting, if not entirely new in the beverage world. And it has mostly delivered - enough so that I'll definitely be watching for their other expressions, especially the ones that haven't undergone finishing. I'm not sure I could recommend this to everyone, but if you enjoy rye or spirits with unique finishes, this might be worth considering. A solid execution.

A truly intriguing collaboration. The initial aroma features hops before the Rye emerges. I believe the collaboration introduces an herbaceous quality to both the aroma and taste. It's not excessively spicy and is enjoyable. I'm very pleased to have sampled this.

What an intriguing experience! The finish aged in rye beer barrels imparts a velvety texture that distinguishes it from other rye whiskeys. This one has notes of rye spice, dark fruit, pear, apple, cocoa, and cream soda.

I really like this, though to be fair, I'm also a huge fan of Sierra Nevada beer, so my opinion might be influenced. It's easy to drink and has solid spice notes.

A very interesting flavor. Well executed. I appreciate the blend of a good rye with a hop infusion.