Sagamore Spirit 8 Year Old Rye Whiskey Batch 1B
The Sagamore Spirit 8 Year Old Reserve is, to my knowledge, the oldest product yet from this still-young Maryland distillery. At a full, age-stated year older than the Cask Strength ryes now hitting 7 years old, the 8 Year Old also adds a few more proof points, making it cask strength-plus at nearly 115º.
Lest you think this is just a slightly older Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength, let me stop you right there. This is an entirely different beast. The Cask Strength was a black licorice and sweet-yet-dry herb extravaganza - the 8 Year Old Reserve brings in black tea, dark honey, sweet herbs, warmed baking spices, fall flavors of apple cider donuts, and a creamy, peppery oak that underlies and elevates the entire experience.
Aged by Sagamore for 8 years, this is also a straight rye, notable because the Cask Strength and several other products are not. Why? They were aged in more than one state. This one was all Maryland, sitting in Sagamore’s aging spaces for its full maturation period.
I won’t delay it with a long intro for this bottle. All you need to know is this: Maryland Rye is officially back, and this is at the head of the column.
Thank you to Sagamore Spirit for providing this bottle for the review with no strings attached.
Sagamore Spirit 8 Year Old Rye Whiskey Batch 1B: Specs
Classification: Rye Whiskey
Origin: MGP Distillery
Mashbill: Blend of MGP Rye Mashbills
Proof: 114.9 (57.45% ABV)
Age: 8 Years Old
Bottle #3995
Location: Maryland (Distilled in IN)
Sagamore Spirit 8 Year Old Rye Whiskey Batch 1B Price: $69.99
Sagamore Spirit 8 Year Old Rye Whiskey Batch 1B Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Crystal amber. Medium rims and agonizingly slow droplets.
Nose: Toasted, malty rye, nuanced and subtle. Warm, toasted barrel notes, too. A bit of oak and proof ekes out deliciously. Honey and clove like a hot toddy.
Palate: Spicier than expected, warm and acidic with dark notes opening. Black tea, creamy and peppery oak all over the tongue and under it, too. Flavors of fall - apple cider donuts. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and oily, coating and lacquering. Fruity in an unexpected way, with a touch of mint.
Finish: Long and coating, like a cough drop but much more pleasant. Dark, fresh honey and black pepper.
Overall: A great step forward from an already great product. The extra year or two takes the Sagamore rye profile to a new level. Creamy, oily, coating, and toasted - this is an excellent sipper I will enjoy all too quickly.
Final Rating: 7.8
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Old Label Batch 4 or 2, Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)
8 | Excellent | Exceptional (Stagg Jr. Batch 10, 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 | Has promise but needs work
1-3 | Let’s have a conversation
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