Sagamore Spirit has, from their waterfront distillery in Baltimore, announced the limited-edition release of Sagamore Spirit Reserve Series 8-Year-Old Rye Whiskey. Described by the Maryland distiller as a testament to the power of time, patience and skill, this new offering has spent the past 8 years in American white oak barrels charred specifically for this project. The result is a 111.4-proof rye with flavor and aroma notes listed as dried cherries, clove, smoked vanilla, candied ginger, sweet orange, molasses, and nut brittle. Do any cigars come to mind as potentially perfect pairings?
“Our 8-Year-Old Rye Whiskey comes from some of the first liquid we put into barrels and set us on the path to where we are today,” said Brian Treacy, Sagamore Spirit’s co-founder and president. “More time in a barrel doesn’t always translate to better whiskey, but this release shows what can come from careful, expert aging and thoughtful blending. The patience and care our distilling team took with this release dating back over eight years ago set the blueprint for the whiskies that would follow.”
An earlier version – primarily available only to those who visited the distillery – earned a Gold Medal from the ASCOT Awards and a Double Gold from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021. The Reserve Series 8 Year Rye Whiskey is expected to drop in March at an MSRP of $79 (750ml). For those who miss out on this limited release, Sagamore’s regular production Core Collection can be obtained throughout the year. The distiller also maintains an up-to-date online locator that allows anyone to find every store, restaurant, and bar that carries the brand.
Have you experienced anything from Sagamore Spirit before? What notes and aromas do you hope to find when trying whiskey that’s new to you? Let everyone know in the comments below!