Sagamore Spirit Manhattan Finish Rye Whiskey

FINISHING DONE RIGHT! NEAT - I’d like to preface this by saying I’ve never had a manhattan. AROMA - Sweet vanilla and candied cherries. The cherry note is quite strong and complemented well by the vanilla notes. TASTE - There is so much cherry bursting on the palate. These are not notes reminiscent of cherries. I literally taste cherries. The vanilla is light and present throughout and rounds out the palate. FINISH - Long with a faint herbal touch and cherry, cherry, and more cherry. BUY? - Absolutely! BUY AGAIN? - Absolutely! SAGAMORE is so overlooked! I wish I came across more of their finishes. I know this is a special finish as it's more of a cocktail in a bottle, but given that the whiskey was actually finished in barrels as opposed to blended with ingredients of a Manhattan, this is truly phenomenal.

Glass: Glencairn, allowed to rest for 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Fruity with a distinct maraschino cherry aroma. Palate: Initially fruity and sweet, transitioning to baking spices and oak. Finish: Lingering and long with moderate warmth and more of that fruity character. With water: No new flavors emerge. Overall: 9.5/10 - The finish is among the most captivating I've experienced in 270 reviews. The sweet fruity note, present from the aroma, carries through effectively to the finish. I generally view secondary barrel-finished whiskies as a bit of a gimmick, but it's executed exceptionally well here. Kudos to Sagamore! I am eager to sample more of their offerings.

Excellent - much better than average.