Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select Rye

I became a follower of Sagamore's offerings last year, specifically their Distiller's Select Tequila Finished Rye. While taste is subjective, I strongly disagree with the "expert" assessment of 82 for that expression. Whisky Advocate's 87, which was already low for them, also noted excessive graininess. I call bullshit. I enjoyed the Tequila Finished Rye so much that I feel compelled to defend it. It's recently vanished from local shops, and I'm unsure if it's still in production, but I highly recommend grabbing a bottle if you can find one. It's both delicious and intriguing, which might explain the polarizing scores. Drinkhacker, however, awarded it an A, and I align with their positive evaluation. I acquired this Barrel Select before the Tequila Finished Rye but hadn't opened it until recently. I recall purchasing it in either late June or early July after a dental visit to fix a broken tooth. Despite the procedure, I felt I deserved a treat. Driving home, I stopped at a different Fine Wine and Good Spirits and bought this: Barrel 128, Location F4/R5. This specific information likely means little to you, unless you happen to memorize such details and find your store's barrel came from the exact same spot. I often digress, as this platform functions more as a personal whiskey journey log than a review site for many of us. I opened this two weeks ago on a Thursday night while watching the Eagles play the Texans with my father. Initially, it was pleasant, but two weeks of air and time have elevated it significantly. Upon opening, it presented a rich, spicy aroma and taste with a satisfyingly long finish. Its 6-year age statement is respectable for a rye. With aeration, the spicy nose has mellowed, revealing a delightful blend of cardamom and bergamot, evoking a festive seasonal feel. Despite its spice, it possesses a refreshingly clean scent that I'm really enjoying tonight. There's also a fruity note I'd liken to orange sherbet. This might be the best whiskey nose I've encountered for a potential candle scent. On the palate, the bergamot note persists but is more subdued. The orange sherbet transforms into spiced cider with an orange slice and cinnamon stick. The finish echoes the cinnamon, lingering pleasantly. My only regret is not buying another bottle for $54.99. I began this review with four stars, but as I continue to sip, I'm inclined to increase the rating. As a fan of rye whiskey above most other categories, aside from peated scotch, I find this superior to Alberta Cask Strength and Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye. Having the Sagamore 8 Year already, this makes me eagerly anticipate trying that one. Sagamore is not widely available in Pennsylvania stores for reasons I don't understand, even though Baltimore isn't particularly distant. Seeing their diverse rye expressions and finishes makes me want to visit the distillery and bring back a full carload. I hope local retailers haven't abandoned barrel picks and are merely out of stock temporarily. I'm aware Sagamore has sourced whiskey and is incorporating more of their own distillate, but I hope they don't follow the path of High West. The Sagamore whiskies I've sampled have been excellent. I haven't tried their standard bottling yet and am curious how their regular rye compares to others in its class. What are your thoughts?

Selected by Smoking Barrels and named "Knight Rye-der", this bottling is from Barrel No. 27, Floor 3, Rick 3. It is 6 years old, 55% abv, and has been open for 8 weeks. Nose: Offers orange peel, black tea, Maraschino cherry, honey, a strong rye spice, subtle dill, light oak, and noticeable ethanol. Palate: Delivers a spicy sensation upon tasting. Exhibits floral notes, honey, toffee, oranges, rye spice, and tannins. The finish is oily, tannic, and of medium length, with sharp citrus and floral notes, abundant spice, and strong oak developing at the conclusion. This is a very competent rye, offered at a superior price compared to the cask strength version, which costs $10 more for only a slight increase in proof. It holds its own against two ryes I acquired in 2020 with similar alcohol content: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye and Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye. While I preferred this over the WT RB Rye, I felt a particular Knob Creek selection was outstanding. Nevertheless, it provides classic rye characteristics near cask strength at a reasonable cost. Fans of MGP rye will likely appreciate these barrel selections.

Trying a store pick today. It looks fantastic on the shelf with a nice color in a good bottle. I hope the contents are as good as the presentation, but I've seen some conflicting opinions, so let's see. The aroma initially seems like sweet bourbon, but then the rye character emerges right when you're about to lose hope. It's primarily brown sugar with just a trace of baked bread. Upon tasting, there's a pleasant toasted caramel at the start. A gentle warmth builds in the middle, leaning more towards cinnamon than typical rye spiciness. The drink concludes with more classic fresh baked bread notes and a mellow finish. Honestly, this was a bit of a surprise. I know barrel selections can differ, so that's worth remembering, but I'm genuinely impressed with this bottle. I'll need to sample others from this line, but this is an excellent option for bourbon enthusiasts who haven't found a rye they enjoy. Definitely worth buying at its price point.

First tasting of this brand. This would be challenging to identify as a rye blind. Vanilla royal frosting on a lemon cake. Clove and cinnamon abound. The frosting is the dominant, very sweet element upfront. A decent mouthfeel, not creamy but the edges are oily, preventing it from being thin. Spicy and bold on the tongue, making a strong appearance mid-palate and especially on the finish. Lemon cake remains, but as a sweet cream icing. Orange zest. More cinnamon and sweet cream icing on the finish, which lingers powerfully. Rye spice builds on the back end with additional sips. This one was almost a disappointment. The aroma is somewhat muted. Not much flavor initially. But from mid-palate to the finish, it truly intensifies. The finish, in particular. A great finish for a rye.

Store selection from Worldwide Wine & Spirits Barrel 85, position F1 R1 Glassware: Glencairn, sat for 15 minutes. Appearance: Medium-dark amber hue. Smell: Abundant dark fruit accompanied by baking spice. Taste: Dense with baking spice and clove notes. Aftertaste: Moderate warmth but extended duration. Small addition: A whisper of the fruit from the nose reappears. Conclusion: 9/10 - Yet another excellent bottle below $60. Considering the cost, it's a top contender for my preferred mid-priced rye.

Selected by the B'more Whiskey Group, Barrel 73 F1/R3. This displays the usual MGP characteristics but also offers a touch of depth on the aroma and taste. The aroma is sweet, reminiscent of baked goods and powdered sugar, with a subtle undertone of MGP dill. The taste presents a well-balanced rye spice, a whisper of dill, some citrus notes, and a sweet, opulent texture. The conclusion is slightly astringent yet enduring. Quite enjoyable at 110 proof.