By Richard Thomas
Rating: B
(Credit: Richard Thomas)
The George Remus brand was launched by MGP Ingredients, owner of the former Seagram’s plant in southern Indiana that continues to be the source of most of America’s aged stock whiskey for sourced brands, to offer the company their own in-house counterpart to what so many of their customers do. Remus Repeal Reserve Rye is a new additon, but as usual the expression underlines what the merit of the Remus brand often is. With so many rye whiskey brands based on MGP’s ubiquitous 95% rye, 5% malted barley stock, having an annual, high proof limited edition version that comes from the source is a rather useful fixture to have.
In this instance, Remus Repeal Reserve Rye VIII is bottled at 111 proof (55.5% ABV), and based on two different lots of that 95% rye stock: one from the 2015 season and one from the 2016 season. So, a mix of 10 and 11 year old rye whiskey.
The Whiskey
The pour takes on a middle amber look in the glass. Keeping in mind that rye whiskeys tend to run lighter than bourbon, that is actually a dark rye. My guess is part of that is due to the verging on middle aged status and part is the verging on high proof status.
The nose comes at you like a spice rack: cardamon, fennel, anise, grounded in oak and caramel. Add a note of butterscotch, and the palate follows in the same vein. The finish takes the fennel note and runs with it.
The Price
The MSRP on this item is $80.
