So, I’ll start out with the obvious here - this review will very shortly be out of date.

RD1 Spirits, formerly known as W. M. Tarr, is about to close the chapter on their Manchester Reserve series of blended whiskies and open a new one under the RD1 banner. I’ve had a chance to try their RD1 Bourbon and Cask Strength Bourbon, and I’ll write about those in a separate review (you won’t be disappointed, I can tell you that!).

All that said, back in late July I had the opportunity to talk to founder Barry Brinegar. It was at the start of this transition between brands, and I’ll admit I didn’t think I’d get these out under the wire. Since Barry’s episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast is coming out on September 14th, though, I decided there was no time like the present.

As of writing, there should be some bottles of W. M. Tarr Manchester Reserve and W. M. Tarr Manchester Reserve 114 Proof left at the RD1 Visitor Center in Lexington’s Distillery District (grab a slice of Goodfella’s while you’re there). Snag at least one of the bottles, preferably both, and thank me later.

While the RD1 label will soon be the one on shelves, the W. M. Tarr series deserves to be written about before it sunsets.

The W. M. Tarr Manchester Reserve is a blend of whiskies, an 8-year-old Kentucky rye with a 51/37/12 mashbill and a 7-year-old Kentucky bourbon with a 75/13/12 mashbill. Launching a whiskey brand with sourced product and blending it was risky. It could’ve been overlooked as a “blended whiskey”, or perhaps the individual components would be better the sum. Barry and the team had to be sure their blend was better than the parts - and in my opinion, that bar was vastly exceeded.

It’s rare that I truly enjoy an American bourbon or rye (note: not including American single malt) below around 95-100 proof. They tend to be too thin; even if the flavors are present and pleasant, the liquid isn’t strong enough to carry them to their full potential. Exceptions include most Michter’s products (though I still prefer the higher proof ones), a few lesser-known bourbons and ryes from across the country, a single barrel here or there, and now, the W. M. Tarr Manchester Reserve.

At 96.4 proof, this whiskey is a stonefruit explosion while also being cinnamon rice pudding. The nose introduces the bright, fruity acidity of plums and white nectarines with just a bit of proof. The palate shocks you, coming from a whole other sector of the flavor wheel. Cinnamon hits right away, with creamy rice pudding underneath. The rye hits first, then the bourbon, mixing toasted whiskey flavors with dried cherries and oaked wine.

The mouthfeel is velvety and hefty enough to carry all those wonderful notes forward through a long, lacquering finish. It reminded me of a Wild Turkey profile at times, in the best ways.

The 114 proof version, however, is my favorite. All the notes present in the 96.4º version are cranked up, including the overall sweetness. The bourbon-y character takes center stage, particularly with milk/dark chocolate and toffee. The rye is still there giving body and enough spice to counter the sweetness, but this is a chocolate-toffee-coffee party. It finishes as a dark-chocolate covered cherry on just as long a finish.

Side note: thanks to Barry, I got to try this at true barrel proof - ~118 - and even those few proof points turned it into a liquid chocolate chip cookie, decadent and syrupy.

The long and short of this is: yes, the W. M. Tarr in its current iterations is going away. Yes, the coming RD1 Bourbons are great-to-excellent as well. BUT - if you still have time, go grab a few of these. More than anything else, these W. M. Tarr Manchester Reserve bottlings showcase skillful blending, a knack for knowing what the customer and consumer want, and how to successfully market a blended bourbon for a wide audience.

Bravo, Barry and RD1 - can’t wait to see the next success.

RD1 Spirits W.M. Tarr Manchester Reserve Blended Whiskey: Specs

Classification: Blended Whiskey

Origin: Undisclosed KY Distilleries

Mashbill: Blend of Bourbon (75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley) and Rye (51% Rye, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley)

Proof: 96.4 (48.2% ABV)

Age: Blend of 7-Year-Old Bourbon and 8-Year-Old Rye Whiskies

Location: Kentucky

RD1 Spirits W.M. Tarr Manchester Reserve Blended Whiskey Price: $59.95

Official Website

RD1 Spirits W.M. Tarr Manchester Reserve Blended Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Dark apple juice. Sloughing rims and thick droplets.

Nose: Sweet red fruit, plums and white nectarines. Warm oak, not woody, dark red wine rolling in unexpectedly. Just a hint of proof. Rye and bourbon both present and balanced on the nose.

Palate: Cinnamon on top of rice pudding. The rye hits first, a gently spicy hit with lots of texture. The bourbon follows, toasted and warm. Dried cherries, oaked wine. Mouthfeel is velvety and medium-bodied, still just a bit of proof and pepper on the front palate. Lingers and lingers from tip to throat.

Finish: Long and lacquering all over. Warm rye leads with the classic, almost Wild Turkey profile rounding out the edges along the sides of my mouth and tongue.

Overall: A great sipper that has character and texture way above its proof. Fantastic blending skill showcased between the rye and bourbon without either being overpowering.

Final Rating: 7.1

RD1 Spirits W.M. Tarr Manchester Reserve 114 Proof Blended Whiskey: Specs

Classification: Blended Whiskey

Origin: Undisclosed KY Distilleries

Mashbill: Blend of Bourbon (75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley) and Rye (51% Rye, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley)

Proof: 114 (57% ABV)

Age: Blend of 7-Year-Old Bourbon and 8-Year-Old Rye Whiskies

Location: Kentucky

RD1 Spirits W.M. Tarr Manchester Reserve 114 Proof Blended Whiskey Price: $79.95

Official Website

RD1 Spirits W.M. Tarr Manchester Reserve Blended Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Amber. Barest rims, smaller droplets with syrupy legs.

Nose: The added proof is noticeable, but comes across in the fresh cherry joining the dry cherry in the 96.4 proof version. Milk chocolate chip cookies, caramel toffee notes building. Sweeter than the 96.4, also.

Palate: Love that proof kick - it sparks the bourbon into revealing roasted corn and toffee while the rye gives deeper chocolate and roasted coffee bean. Mouthfeel is silky and filling, the chocolate and roasted flavors growing rapidly under my tongue. Coating as hell! Doesn’t let go of the tongue as the cherry slowly reappears.

Finish: Chewy cherry chocolate. Long and filling to the end.

Overall: Excellent. A blended whiskey I’d drink every day happily. Drinks slightly above proof without being too hot. Enough to satisfy proof hounds and mixed drinkers alike.

Final Rating: 7.7

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary

8 | Excellent | Exceptional

7 | Great | Well above average

6 | Very Good | Better than average

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary

4 | Has promise but needs work

1-3 | Let’s have a conversation