Sagamore Spirit 7 year Cask Strength Rye Review

Sagamore Spirit
Cask Strength
Straight Rye Whiskey
Aged 7 Years
123 Proof
Batch 1A
SRP: $69.99
Review

Please enjoy our Sagamore Spirit 7 year Cask Strength Rye Review!

Background

The Sagamore Spirit Distillery produces rye whiskeys in the old Maryland style. They are located in South Baltimore, in the recently developed Baltimore Peninsula neighborhood, a short distance from downtown Baltimore and a few popular Baltimore attractions. Sagamore is also just a “stone’s throw” from the large Under Armour campus (who knew that they were based in Baltimore?). The attractive stone facade of the distillery’s buildings adds a classic charm to the newly flourishing area.

Sagamore Spirit 7 Year Old Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

From Sagamore Spirit Distillery: “It starts with our commitment to source high-quality grains through our grain-to-glass process and connecting with the local farming community. These grains are used to create our high-rye and low-rye whiskeys that are both triple distilled and matured for 7 years before being blended in small batches. The blending of two straight whiskeys gives complexity, while our triple distillation process enhances its distinct smoothness.”

The Specifics

• 100% Maryland made whiskey
• Distilled, aged and blended at Sagamore Spirit Distillery
• Two mash bills – high and low rye
• Triple distilled
• 100% non-GMO corn for low-rye whiskey
• 23-barrel batches
• Hand-bottled at Sagamore Spirit Distillery
• Non-chill filtered

Tasting Notes – Sagamore Spirit 7 year Cask Strength Rye Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻Nose: Rye spices, tart orange citrus, mild oak, brown sugar, hints of black licorice; alcohol noticeable, but appropriate for the proof
👉🏻Taste: Moderately sweet simple syrup, rye spices, tart orange citrus, caramel, hint of licorice, mild dry oak
👉🏻Finish: Rapidly growing and lasting white pepper spice, mild dry oak, hints of simple syrup and black licorice linger; tart orange citrus; quite long; deep warmth

The nose is well balanced, with a nice mix of rye spices, tart orange citrus, brown sugar and hints of black licorice. The alcohol vapor is noticeable, but not unexpected for the proof, and if anything a bit milder than I expected.

The taste is moderately sweet, with a simple syrup character. There are plenty of rye spices, again with some tart orange citrus. There are also richer notes of caramel, with a touch of black licorice, as well. The finish rapidly becomes quite spicy, from white pepper, with tart orange citrus and mild dry oak. Hints of simple syrup, as well as as mild rye spices and a touch of black licorice, linger on. The finish is quite long, and it leaves me with a deep warmth with white pepper spice heat remaining on my tongue.

Summary

One might expect that a 123 proof rye would have overpowering rye spices. However, that is not the case with Sagamore Spirits Cask Strength 7 Year Rye. Don’t get me wrong – this is unmistakably a rye whiskey. However, it is very well balanced with sweeter, richer flavors, and has a very full mouthfeel as well. This balance of flavors is almost certainly due to Sagamore’s blending of high rye and low rye mash bills. All of that adds up to a complex and very enjoyable pour. I have been a Sagamore Spirits fan for years, and they have really outdone themselves with this one. It’s delicious, and drinks deceptively easily for its proof. Have you tried any of Sagamore Spirits older ryes? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Sagamore Spirit 7 year Cask Strength Rye Review! If you would like to learn more about the distillery, check out our detailed Sagamore Spirit Distillery Tour Review! To read about other Sagamore Spirit ryes, head to our Sagamore Spirit Port Finish Rye Review and our Sagamore Spirit Double Oak Rye Review!

Note: This bottle was graciously provided by the brand for my review. We appreciate it!

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