Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Rye
Sagamore keeps rye-sing up my lists (see what I did there?). I’ve enjoyed each core product, and why shouldn’t I? ~5-7 year old MGP rye is right in my wheelhouse. But, as I’ve said in other reviews, there has to be more to it than just taking MGP juice and slapping a label on it to really get my attention.
Sagamore is in a unique position: for years, they’ve been sourcing their rye from MGP, but the last few have seen Sagamore lay down its own stocks of rye whiskey using the same type of mashbill(s). Another oddity that I found more interesting: not all of the rye is bought aged.
Before Sagamore had its own aging facilities, they would buy MGP whiskey and have MGP age it for four years, after which Sagamore would take it and produce it. Now that Sagamore has had dedicated warehouses and an aging barn, they’re able to take that distillate and age it further. In an odd quirk, that allows them to age it longer (the longest I’ve seen is their 8 Year Reserve Series) but disallows them from being able to call it “straight”, since the rye has then aged in two different states. It’s a rarity for sure, but in case you’re wondering why there’s no “straight” on the label, that’s why!
This bottle is a cask-strength bottling, slightly above the 110º Sagamore Spirit that constitutes most single barrels and picks. The difference is small - a mere 2.2 proof points - but the flavor difference is dynamic.
“Regular” Sagamore Spirit rye isn’t a sugar bomb by any means. The mix of the highest-rye mashbill and a lower one from MGP counters the sweetness in one with the herbal notes from the other. At a slightly higher proof, though, the Cask Strength leans more into the latter, particularly focusing on the black licorice and star anise. There’s enough sweetness to make it more of a sweet, Australian-style licorice than an anisette or Sambuca-type of flavor, so it settles where I consider it a black licorice taffy.
The more surprising note for me was bubblegum - I don’t usually get that in MGP ryes, though I do sometimes in Heaven Hill or Buffalo Trace ryes. The honey is dark and almost savory, like a Manuka or buckwheat rather than a floral orange blossom or clover honey.
Overall, I really liked this pour. It’s an easy buy for me, especially at that price. I know there are plenty of people who don’t like black licorice or anise (and I’m terribly sorry for you) but if you do, you will love this. If not, it’ll make an excellent and unique old fashioned - orange and licorice are an unexpectedly great pairing you can’t deny once you’ve tried it.
Thank you to Sagamore Spirit for providing this bottle for the review with no strings attached.
Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Rye Whiskey: Specs
Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Origin: MGP Distillery
Mashbill: Blend of MGP Rye Mashbills
Proof: 112.2 (56.1% ABV)
Age: 4-7 Years Old
Location: Maryland (Distiilled in IN)
Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Rye Whiskey Price: $57.99
Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Amber maple syrup. Thin rims and splotchy, tiny droplets hang on.
Nose: Much less sweet than a typical Sagamore at 110º. Woody herbs and dry baking spices. Hints of bubblegum and vanilla taffy. Black licorice candies add the slightest touch of sugar at the end.
Palate: Astringent and a tad spicy, lots more black licorice as candies and chewy taffy. Some eucalyptus, like the dark honeyed part of the Ricola. Manuka honey, I would say. Mouthfeel is tingly and velvety, settling under the tongue with extra sweetness and candied licorice. Gains some body on the chew.
Finish: Not as long as I’d like, but pleasantly licorice-forward and sweet while it lasts.
Overall: The black licorice show is great, if a tad one note. There’s no oak (a positive) and instead a peppery heat forms from the proof. Quite delicious, especially if you like a rye that’s not quite 95/5 nor too sweet.
Final Rating: 7.3
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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