Remus Volstead Reserve

Remus Volstead Reserve

G. Remus Distilling Co. (MGP)

50% ABV/100 Proof, Bottled-in-Bond

14 YO

Eye: Coppered gold, thin rim and quick legs. 

Nose: Powerful bourbon notes, some heat and oak spice to back it up. Second sip has lots of nuttiness. Tons of peanuts and roasted skins.

Palate: Did I say nutty? This could sneak into a Beam blind and no-one would know. Heat is well-controlled and sticks around long enough to usher in luscious red/tropical fruits. The oak is really the star, which is unfortunate in the end as a bitter tannic note develops. Mouthfeel is oily, coating, a little spicy. 

Finish: Fairly gentle while still being oak-driven. Mint and roasted nuts appear and fade quickly. 

Overall: The nose is fantastic, the palate is good, and the finish is disappointing, ending up chalky and lingering in a bad way. The oak is the star but it’s not handled well, especially through to the finish.

Rating: 6.0

*Thanks to my friends at The Bourbon Culture for the sample!

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)