Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye maxes out at “meh.” It’s one of the more boring ryes I’ve had over the years. One expects a rye to have some gusto, offering little pockets of spice and heat and wow as you savor the typical deeper complexities. This rye simply doesn’t have any of that. It’s dull and subdued and quite watery and fleeting. Sadly, like its wash, it leaves nothing behind to really remember with one exception: the memory of how it seemed miss the mark in surprising ways. While I really think this could be something delicious with more aging under its belt (maybe another 2-4 years), this offering simply can’t be justified compared to other ryes in the same price range. Try it to expand your palate and explore, not as a dram to snuggle into. Flaviar (free bottle [September]) Opened: 10/3/20 Finished: 12/1/20