Sagamore Spirit Cognac Finish Rye

My personal preference leans heavily towards this brand. Having enjoyed their Tequila-Finished Rye initially, I've since explored their Cask Strength offerings, both of which were exceptional. This positive track record led me to acquire their 8-Year, Double Oak, and Rum-Finished expressions, though I haven't sampled them yet. A friend in Chicago is also sending me a bottle of the Ale-Finished. Availability is limited locally, so I had to travel for some of these. While shopping with family, I visited a Total Wine near Delaware. Initially seeking a different bottle, my attention was caught by Sagamore's selection, as I couldn't find many options nearby. Among the available bottles, I chose the ones I'd heard good things about, given budget constraints. This Cognac-Finished Rye is the first I've opened and is nearly depleted. Interestingly, I discovered this is a higher proof special bottling for a specific store, differing from the standard version. This unexpected find was a pleasant surprise. For those curious about a high-proof version, it's remarkably good. Even a relative mistook it for bourbon due to its sweetness. The cognac and rye complement each other beautifully, offering notes of golden raisins on the nose, alongside rye spice. The palate is sweet with raisins and plum, balanced by a dry, subtly oaked character. The finish is rich, featuring white pepper and cinnamon. While I detect the licorice mentioned in expert reviews, the wine-soaked fruit notes, specifically plum and raisins, along with the alcohol, are most prominent for me. I'm eager to try the other Sagamore expressions, especially those not readily available in my region. I've even joked about a potential 'Rye Wars' hindering local stock. A visit to the distillery in Baltimore seems like a great future plan, perhaps for a birthday trip, including a tour and stocking up.

While not an exceptional whiskey, it is crafted quite well. I appreciate the port finish; however, this one is just satisfactory. The port finish maintains balance from start to finish, but here, the cognac seems to dominate, with the rye subtly asserting itself on the periphery. The nose is delicate, with some spice and notes of mint chocolate and leathery fruit at the edges. The warmth becomes noticeable towards the back. The palate is characterized by winery-like, tannic fruit, accompanied by a light hint of licorice/anise and peppery rye. The finish persists with stewed fruit, followed by rye and baking spices, culminating in a drying, extended finish. The alcohol content is apparent in the initial sips but mellows out after a short period. Adding a drop of water enhances its character.

Incredible! This is an amazing Rye! The aroma is like peanut butter and jelly. The entire taste, from beginning to end, is complex with numerous flavors: rye bread, vanilla, grape jelly, peanut butter, mocha latte, and toasted marshmallows. The liquid is extremely full and rich. Dark chocolate and mocha dominate the finish! This is a fantastic bottle!!

The nose offers subtle fruit notes, reminiscent of apples and vanilla. The palate is initially sweet with fruity, alcoholic notes. The mid-palate is dominated by vanilla, leading to a finish with rye spices and a gentle, building warmth. Overall, this is an excellent drink. It's my first experience with this brand, and I have two other varieties gifted to me. I'm looking forward to trying them if they are all this good.

Nose: hints of dried grain, dried cranberries, clove, maple, cola, and banana. Taste: notes of cola, sarsaparilla, lightly roasted coffee, barrel spice, and candied ginger. Finish: lingering black pepper and warm cinnamon.

Deep red, almost amber in color. The cognac is very prominent on this rye. Notes of fruit, raisin, vanilla, and cognac. Sweetness with a pleasant texture, this made for a fine dessert drink.