Remus Single Barrel Straight Bourbon (2022 Release)

TJ’s Market Store Pick 2022 7 year, 114.2 proof Nose: You have to breathe in deep but I get dark caramel and barrel oak. It took it awhile to open up. Pallet: Brown sugar with aging fruits. One of the best weighted mouth feels I’ve had in a while, just perfect to chew on. Finish: Tobacco finishes into the brown sugar that you get on the pallet. There is the right balance of proof and spice that will make your whole tongue tingle. It does not drink like 114.2 proof which is a great complement. For a daily drinker I love it, but wonder for that pour with a cigar if it was 10 / 15 points higher it would be pairing! However, then I’d likely not finish the bottle.

Bull City Bourbon Club pick, "Take the Cannoli" No barrel information provided on the bottle Open 2 months Nose - Hot and spicy rye, baking spices, and grain, black pepper, toffee, dark caramel, orange peel, Chai tea, light oak, and strong ethanol. Palate - The heat and rye spice continue on the tongue, medicinal cherry, artificial orange, cinnamon, black pepper, grainy caramel, and gingerbread. Finish is medium with more prominent oak tannins, slightly herbal rye spice, burnt caramel, grain and fresh cut grass, and spicy ethanol kick. This lies in a gray area between the overly grainy and young MGP bourbons from Old Scout, Old Soul, Pinhook, etc., and the richer and better MGP bourbons from Belle Meade and Smoke Wagon. I don't think this comes close to Smoke Wagon, but it is knocking on Belle Meade's door (which may be irrelevant in a year when all the old Belle Meade is sold). Would I buy this again? Likely no. At this price there are too many options that I prefer. It is better than most of the sourced MGP bourbons I've had, but not necessarily the best value when Old Scout Cask Strength goes for $35 in NC.