Sagamore Spirit Sherry Finish Rye

The aroma presents rye spice, vanilla cream, shortbread, white pepper, candy cane, apricot, fresh leather, grass, dried plum, tobacco, and oak. An inviting and complex nose with low ethanol. The palate offers raisin, date, caramel, fig newton, smoke, prune, and macadamia nut. The flavors are rich yet delicate, like a soufflé. The finish is delightful, on the longer side of medium, with figgy pudding, chocolate, black pepper, herbal mint, toasted oak, coconut, caraway seed, and dried black cherry. The mouthfeel is full-bodied with a soft, velvety texture, becoming a bit dry at the end. Yes, this is delicious. I must admit that after the first few pours upon opening, it seemed a bit tight, and the sherry/rye flavors clashed slightly. However, with more air exposure, it opened up and became more cohesive. A bold, innovative, and unusual whiskey that surprisingly works. I paid $99.99 via mail order, and while I always prefer a lower price, I find it fairly priced for the quality. Well done, Sagamore.

Aroma - I like it. Plenty of dark cherries mixed with bubblegum… some chocolate and lots of brown sugar initially. As it develops, the rye really stands out, adding significant complexity. Excellent balance here. Taste - The balance of this is the first thing that strikes me. It's a terrific combination of rye spices (cinnamon with a slight hint of mint) upfront, followed by a finish of abundant dark cherries and chocolate. Occasionally, the rye spice reappears on the finish, but it's primarily at the front of the palate. Overall - It's another outstanding release from this distillery. I do wish it were slightly thicker and coated the mouth more. The finish isn't as long as I had hoped.

This exhibits a wonderful PX sherry character on the nose, with notes of raisins, figs, and a syrupy sweetness that highlights the distillery's rye profile after a brief rest or some swirling in a glass. The taste begins with PX sherry, transitioning to a gentle rye towards the middle and end. This is my favorite finished rye whiskey. Highly recommended.

Raisin and cherry are clearly noticeable in the aroma. I would have thought it was brandy if I didn't know better, though the characteristic rye tingle is present. The taste is rich, dark, and fruity, reminiscent of a Manhattan cocktail. Cherry, plum, cocoa, vanilla, and oak. Angostura and orange might be imagined… a spicy, tannic finish. Who needs a cocktail when you have this?

The aroma is dominated by rich, dark apple, followed by sweet dark fruit. The initial taste is dark apple. Then comes the rye spice, though gentler than some ryes. Mint appears later and remains subtle, not overwhelming. It feels like the sherry finish is perfectly integrated without overpowering the rye.

Nose: Ethanol, brown sugar, fig. Palate: Syrupy, orange, almond, more fig. Nice kick. Finish: Long and lingering. Oak and cocoa. Final Thoughts: Better than I anticipated. Similar to MWND but with more acidity from the sherry. The finish is the highlight here, very long and strong. Rating: 8 on the t8ke scale.