SAGAMORE 10 YEAR RYE
Batch 2A (2025)MASH BILL – blend of two unstated Indiana rye mash bills (undoubtedly the MGP 95% rye / 5% malted barley and 51% rye / 45% corn / 4% malted barley)
PROOF – 110.8
AGE – 10 years
DISTILLERY – Sagamore Spirit Distillery
PRICE – $71 (msrp is $80)
WORTH BUYING? – Yes
I loved the 2021 Sagamore 8 Year Rye, so much so I bought a backup, which I’m still clinging to. I also enjoyed the 2024 9 Year, though it was for me a notch short of the 8 Year’s overall exceptional quality.
That’s me splitting hairs. Both releases were excellent. Together they have my anticipation on high for this next iteration, aged a nice round 10 years. How will it stand alongside its predecessors?
Let’s get right to it. Here we are, one week after uncorking and two pours into the bottle. These brief notes were taken using both Canadian and traditional Glencairns.
COLOR – deep russet and fiery red-oranges
NOSE – fragrant and fresh rye spices, raw but refined oak spice, nutmeg and allspice, dry caramel fudge, faint cherry and vanilla floating behind all the spices
TASTE – all those spices get drenched in the cherry and now also a stronger caramel note joining the vanilla, eventually rich thick hot chocolate, everything with a wonderfully syrupy texture
FINISH – chocolate in coffee, that spice potpourri and dark cherry gently fading, now with a very subtle dill note
OVERALL – a fragrant spice bomb of a chocolate dessert
Well it’s quite good. I’m tempted to crack open that bunkered 8 Year to compare them. My sense memory suggests this 10 Year is a darker, richer rendition of the already rich 8 Year. Looking back at my notes on the 8 Year, there are many more bright aspects like honey and a much more present dill note. Also looking back at my notes on the 9 Year, it seems that one was walking the bridge from the 8 to the current 10, sharing the 10’s refined raw oak, chocolatey aspects, and syrupy texture.
Comparisons aside, this 10 Year is quite an accomplishment. It’s very spicy, lending it a fragrant dryness. But the sweeter cherry and candy notes provide balance. And that syrupy texture! The grit of the spices that come across so robustly on the nose blend nicely into the whole on the taste and into the finish.
And at this price? In today’s market? Even with the whiskey boom having busted, this is a screaming deal for a high quality, well-aged American rye whiskey.
I’ve done pretty well this past handful of years since establishing my No Bunkering rule. I’ve only succumbed a few times. The Sagamore 8 Year was one. I’ll admit this 10 Year might be another! We’ll see. Meanwhile I’ll thoroughly enjoy this bottle I have while it lasts.
Cheers!
The Right Spirit 