Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye

I got a pint of this, since I'm experimenting with rye, for $21.99 at Total Wine. There's no age statement, the whisky's a blend of two different mash bills, and in the glass the color is copper. It's only 83 proof. NOSE: I'd only gotten a couple of notes on my first glass, but after sitting for a few days after opening the nose really opened up. I got notes of mineral or salt, perhaps both together; alfalfa hay, milk chocolate and caramel; red berries (perhaps raspberries or thimbleberries); something that was both meaty and buttery; a note that made me think of sunshine on a meadow; another reminder, this time of a summer lawn; honey; and pine lumber. This is definitely not a bourbon nose. MOUTHFEEL: Thin, which makes sense at 83 proof, but creamy nevertheless. TASTE: Spring water, spiced honey, a little oak, and mingled salt and sugar. FINISH: Grass and hay, faint honey - short. SUMMARY: After waiting for a few days the whisky opened up considerably. The nose became very promising - but the rest of the whisky doesn't measure up. Overall this whisky turned out to be unimpressive. RATING: On my hick scale, it's 4th out of 8, counting from the bottom - what I call Okay. This is the same as 2.5 stars, 50/100, or 5/10.

BATCH - 12AJ BOTTLE - 0825 BY - LT NEAT NOSE - For the proof, I’m surprised this is so full on the nose. I would expect the nose to be more subtle, but it’s full and enveloping. I get notes of cinnamon, honey, and caramel. PALATE - Initially, there is a nice sweetness on the palate reminiscent of vanilla, caramel, and honey. As it develops on the palate, it transitions to a nice spice with some cinnamon and oak tannins. The oak tannins are noticeable, but not overpowering. The mouthfeel is thin and light. FINISH - Short and slightly spicy (rye spice) BUY? - I’m glad I picked this up, so I would say give it a try. BUY AGAIN?? - I’d buy this again as a daily especially at the price point. However, with how great this Rye is at 83 proof, I can’t imagine how great it would be at Cask Strength. My next purchase of Sagamore Spirits will for sure be their cask strength.

This was the first time I tried Sagamore Spirt Straight Rye. I concur with most of the Distiller Pro’s Review and Tasting Notes. My overall impression would be summed up as follows: “soft & watery-smooth”; especially for a Rye (I’m use to the strength-statements of many of the Kentucky Ryes!). It was an enjoyable drink, with NO “Kentucky Hug” after-effects. If you have someone (or yourself) who would like to “wade in” to the complexities and world of Rye bourbons & whiskeys, I suggest this one as a well represented “Entry” into it! Overall, it’s like a blind date where you conclude you may not want to date him/her again, but you had a nice time and truly enjoyed the conversations!! Rickhouse1897

Flaviar sample box “Ryenaissance” July, 2022 Sample B Pour/color: a dense liquid that is medium gold in color Nose: Smells like fried pickles!! Fantastic, deep, and quite complex. Dark fruits, some cinnamon, and some floral notes, but also grass, hay, and rye pepper First taste: a buttery, butterscotchy rye with dry oak and tannins Lingering: not much lingering flavor, tannins dominate Finish: smooth, but dull and not terribly complex Score: 3 (second best of the three)

An intense, Straight Rye Whiskey by Sagamore Spirit Distillery in Maryland crafted with copper stills, aged in new charred oak barrels & bottled at 41.5% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, wood, fruit, flowers, herbs & spices; while a bold & spicy life adds notes of vanilla, honey, spicy, nutmeg, peach & jasmine; that led to a long & warm death adding notes of rye, spiced apricot nectar, caramel cream, tobacco leaf, orange rind & oak. December 2023

Nose: grains, sweet cardboard, hint of berry Palate: balanced throughout, sweet fruit with some spice but not typical for a rye Finish: can’t believe this is only 83 proof, nice warmth in the back of the throat that lasts Overall: great rye that should always be on the shelf…Bmore representing