Sagamore Spirit Double Oak Rye

Even when I consume multiple whiskies in a day, I typically only write about one. I generally don't post two reviews on the same day because, given the length of my write-ups, I sometimes feel it might be too much for people to read two at once. On the other hand, with how people browse, you might post two on consecutive nights and they see them simultaneously, but I also prefer to review the first whisky I drink in the evening without the influence of others. Sometimes, comparing them side-by-side can truly highlight certain flavors. It can make one whisky stand out against another that you might otherwise find perfectly acceptable on its own. In any case, I sampled some Sagamore Double Oak last night after reviewing the Four Roses and was nearly compelled to write about it then because of how much I enjoy it, but I decided to wait until today. As I'm getting ready to go out for dinner with companions, having a pre-gathering drink, I'll share my thoughts on Sagamore Double Oak. I acquired it at the Delaware Total Wine after a trip to Winterthur Gardens with my family this past Mother’s Day (I also picked up the Sagamore with a Cognac finish, which I've reviewed, and the Sagamore with a Rum finish, which I haven't opened yet). If you inquire about my favorite Sagamore, I might just say all of them; every one I've tried is my favorite. I haven't encountered a subpar whisky from this distillery yet. The most distinctive for me was the Tequila-barrel finish, and the Cask Strength best represented rye, but this is in the same category as the cask strength. It is quite oaky with pencil shavings notes on both the aroma and the palate, mixed with vanilla and rye spice. The palate is rich with a wonderful mouthfeel, and the vanilla on the tongue transforms into a luxurious French vanilla, with the pencil shavings reappearing on the finish. This is certainly for those who appreciate woody, savory, spicy whiskies. There's very little sweetness present, apart from that hint of French vanilla. If that doesn't appeal to you, you won't enjoy this. And speaking of whiskies complementing each other, last night's tasting of Four Roses alongside this was a perfect pairing. So I'm giving this a 4.25 as well. Both are incredibly impressive, woody whiskies, but while the Roses is full of caramel and cherry notes, this is purely spice, wood, and a subtle hint of vanilla. Overall, a delightful match. So I'll pour myself a Roses next to repeat the experience tonight. This one is, naturally, a bit pricier than the Four Roses, but well worth the $65 asking price.

This bottle is nearly empty, with just a few ounces left. To be direct, it's quite good. On the nose, there's a significant amount of wood (as anticipated), sweet vanilla, cinnamon toast crunch cereal, cherry, dill, and a hint of menthol. The taste is rich, intricate, and spicy, featuring cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, burnt sugar, and more. The heat is present but well-balanced. The sweetness serves as a foundation and is not out of place. Compared to Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye, this offering is a bit richer, marginally less spicy, and provides more of the barrel characteristics. It carries a bit more of the cedar or evergreen essence found in Lot 40 and Whistle Pig, though it's not a dominant note in either expression. Overall, I truly enjoy this rye. It's a dependable choice for its cost when sipping it neat, and it crafts a very complex and sophisticated Manhattan. I recommend it.

Sampled this on multiple occasions but this is my initial write-up. The hue is a rich brown with hints of red. It possesses a viscous body, clinging to the walls of the glencairn. It's had about 10 minutes to settle. Aromas present a sugary, woody maple, complemented by a spicy red ale and a touch of mint. My initial impression is that the secondary aging in oak barrels somewhat masks the rye's spice, leaning towards a sweet bourbon profile reminiscent of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. The initial taste reveals spicy red maple, along with dry vanilla and cherry notes. I feel compelled to contrast it with the regular rye, as there are numerous delicate flavors that the oak complements effectively. The finish is smooth, delivering a pleasant sweet warmth. I suspect this would be fantastic in a Manhattan. It's quite good, and with further tasting, a faint creamy butterscotch emerges. Superb.

The bottle's description is accurate. Hazelnut, toffee, and burnt coconut. The coconut note is more prominent on the finish, accompanied by graham cracker. It's almost like a s'mores. The burnt quality is quite noticeable but enjoyable. The spice is present but not overwhelming to my palate. It starts with rich dark malts and spice before moving into the toffee notes. The aroma has dark caramel and some chocolate. For a bottle costing this much, it delivers a great deal. There are few comparable options at this price point with such interesting flavors. It initially seems thin, but the flavors persist for a considerable time. This is an easy recommendation if you're seeking something a bit unconventional but not too extreme.

I'm not usually one for finished whiskeys, but this brand does it well. I can still detect the rye spice in both the aroma and taste, but they use the double oak process to enhance the spirit rather than overwhelm the palate. I can appreciate that. I notice a coffee note, which isn't common in my collection, but as mentioned, I'm not a big fan of finished whiskeys. I truly admire what this brand is achieving here... a very nice job, and I wish all finished offerings were this well-executed... enhancements to a bourbon or rye that are still present, but the finished profile isn't the dominant characteristic.

Aroma: Maple syrup and wood overload, Pine from rye, Burnt sugar. Taste: Drying wood, tannins, sweetness, caramel. Decent texture Aftertaste: This is where the rye makes its presence known. Rye spices. Dill. Surprisingly medium to long aftertaste. Undecided between a 3.75-4 for this. Consumed neat, 3.75. But considering cost and accessibility its worth is a 4. Final thought: This strongly resembles a Woodford Double Oaked but with a Rye finish. Wonderful fusion of the double oak with a rye. I will keep a bottle of this on hand. And due to cost and accessibility, I will likely choose it often.