Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye

Soft, smooth, easy drinker.

I picked up a bottle of this on a recent business trip and I have been looking for it in my area but no one carried it. This is a Maryland-style rye meaning that it is around 75% rye grain and 25% either corn or barley. It is light amber in the glass and the nose is a little spicey with some baking spices showing up and it does coat the glass nicely. The body is longer than I expected for an 83 proof rye with the spices, citrus, and wood showing up. There is also a little crispness in it like a mintiness but it is not mint I am impressed. The finish is not bad with a sweet and spicy ending. In an Old Fashioned, it is not bad and the citrus really comes out when a fresh orange is used. However, in a Manhattan, the vermouth can very easily mask this rye. Overall, I believe this rye is a bit overpriced at $35 in my area as Old Overholt, Rittenhouse, and James E Pepper 1776 Rye are stronger and cheaper. I will probably not purchase again unless it is on sale I think this is a $30 rye but it was not terrible. Enjoy.

Off the bat, the pepper and dill of the 95% rye MGP are noticeable. The notes are markedly better/more refined than other 95% MGP products (such as bulliet). The nose is overall appealing, with some sweeter caramel/butterscotch notes ostensibly coming from the low rye portion of the blend. The palate, by comparison is not at all appealing. Extremely thin mouth feel, and lacks the punch most look for in a good rye. This is likely due to the extremely low proof (83.3). The pepper and baking spice and caramel do show, but it is disappointing following the nose. The finish is short, slightly tart with the white pepper and caramel balancing. Overall, it’s a very one dimensional product. Caramel, pepper, and thin. Given the price tag, it’s really disappointing. Other products, such as Dickel Rye or Russels Reserve Rye are cheaper and far better. I may try some of their double oak or cask strength offerings, because the increase in proof will likely do wonders, but those are also extremely high priced for sourced juice that is likely pretty young. Pass on buying this one, but try it if it’s at a bar or you want to show a newbie a one dimensional rye to give their palate bearings.