Remus Repeal Reserve Batch VII
Last year, the Remus Repeal Reserve family brought out two heavy hitters: Series VI and the Remus Gatsby Edition. Series VI was a fantastic blend at a reasonable price point for premium bourbon ($99.99), and the Gatsby was one of the best whiskies I had all year.
I’ve been fortunate to try all six previous Remus Repeal Reserve releases, and not all have been my cup of tea. Blending different ages and percentages of MGP (now Ross & Squibb) bourbon - both the 21% and 36% rye recipes - the blends are always interesting but not always successful.
My two favorites are Series II and Series VI, though there isn’t much similarity when you dig into the stats of average age and weighted percentages. It’s more about making an interesting and delicious blend with similar ingredients from year to year.
This year’s blend is:
6%: 2007 Bourbon: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
26%: 2013 Bourbon: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
26%: 2013 Bourbon: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
21%: 2014 Bourbon: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
21%: 2014 Bourbon: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
Clearly, the 16 year old at 6% was meant to add a little kick of age and backbone with the inherent flavors those factors bring. Otherwise, this is on its face a pretty simple blend, with equal parts of the 21% and 36% in their respective ages. Unfortunately, it’s not nearly as successful as last year’s release(s).
The biggest offender is the oak. Coming off as woody and astringent, it takes center stage and doesn’t let go. The nose itself is fine, even good, and the oak doesn’t come through there as much. It led me to believe there was a more balanced blend coming to my palate that never materialized.
As a result, the parts are all disjointed and sticking out at odd angles. The mouthfeel leans heavily into the peppery rye components (which are in turn boosted by the astringency). While it is coating and moderately filling, it does so with an unbalanced blend that you don’t really want to keep on your tongue.
It’s always hard to reconcile a bourbon whose nose and palate are so at odds. The nose really is quite good, revealing baking spices, hazelnuts, and dried fruits, with fresher fruits and pecans in a pie all clear as day. The palate has some notes that will be appreciated if you can get past the oak. For my part, I couldn’t.
This sample was graciously provided by Ross & Squibb at no cost. All opinions herein are my own.
Remus Repeal Reserve Batch VII: Specs
Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Producer: Ross & Squibb Distillery
Mashbill: See chart above
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Age: Blend of 9-16 Year Old Bourbons
Location: Indiana
Remus Repeal Reserve Batch VII Price: $99.99
Remus Repeal Reserve Batch VII: Tasting Notes
Eye: Iced black tea. Thin rims, a few drops hanging on.
Nose: Baking spices up front, hazelnuts toasting. Dried fruits in a bowl of fall-scented potpourri. Dark stonefruits grow with air in a typical 36% rye profile. Brown sugar and pecans in a pecan pie.
Palate: Peppermint hits first, followed by dry fruit leather and tobacco leaves. A bit numbing from an astringency that starts at medium and continues to grow. Mild vanilla and less sweet morning pastries. Mouthfeel is piquant, peppery, oily, and coating, light and not overly sweet caramel.
Finish: The oak and baking spices round back to center stage, especially cinnamon. Remains coating on a medium-length finish.
Overall: Not nearly as balanced as the 2022 releases. Disjointed after the nose, with oak taking full control over what could be pleasant and well-blended flavors. Leaves me wondering about the direction sought for this blend.
Final Rating: 5.8
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
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