THE BOURBON RESOURCE: September 2024
Lots of new releases, Jimmy Russell honored, Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII review,
FIRST, AN APOLOGY
Thank you to everyone who has read this newsletter and sent me comments. I realize there’s LOTS of content available, so I appreciate you making time. Some of you know that this is a labor of love for me, and sadly, some of my other writing work —- especially my weekly opinion columns —- has taken time away, especially this month, which has been filled with news I won’t bore you with. Once the election is over, I hope to get back to a schedule that allows me to send these out earlier in the month. Thank you for your support, and here’s an abbreviated September newsletter.
BOURBON NEWS:
MAKERS’S MARK OLDEST BOURBON RELEASED: Marker’s Mark released its Cellar Aged bourbon this month, a blend of 12- and 13-year-old bourbons. Press information says it’s a brighter and more fruitful Maker’s version. Maker’s has done a really nice job with some of its products—I love its cask strength—but I’m approaching this with a little trepidation due to the $174.99 price tag. I think I’ll try to find a shot in a bar first, which will likely set me back a pretty penny.
WILD TURKEY HONORS JIMMY RUSELL: Wild Turkey has released an 8-year bourbon commemorating Kimmy Russell’s 70th year with the distillery. Amazing longevity. He’s now 89 years old and affectionately known as the “Buddha of Bourbon.” This bottle will be available in select markets for $50.
HEAVEN’S DOOR BARREL PROGRAM COMING: This is interesting. Heaven’s Door, the brand co-founded by Bob Dylan, has noted on its website it will soon announce details of a private barrel program. Heaven’s Door’s offerings have improved, and I’m partial to its Homesick Blues version. We’ll need to see the details, but this is exciting.
HEAVEN HILL RELEASES PARKER HERITAGE: This is one that I’d LOVE To have. This is the 18th edition of the Heritage release/ The 14-year-old Malt Whiskey has been finished in cognac casks and comes in at 107 proof. It’s worth the $169.99 price because of its unique molasses and chocolate flavors (they’re not overly pronounced … just enough to get your attention). Alas, I’ll have more luck finding a Leprucan dunking on LeBron than I will see this in the wild. These go for $700 to $ 800 on the secondary.
OCTOBER RELEASES
Following a very big September, some big-time bourbons are scheduled to be released in October. Among them: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (!), the Russell Reserve Single Rickhouse (2024 version), Widow Jane’s pricey ($250) The Vault, and batch c924 of the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.
Who wouldn’t want any of the BTAC? But you’re more likely to see a talking squirrel in Times Square than you are to find any of these in the wild. Secondaries cost $750 and up, with the ER17 at about $1,500. No, just no.
All six bottles in the Pappy Collection are also supposed to come out in October, and you know the chances of snagging one of those. I don’t even try anymore. Before the advent of the corporate liquor stores, where one brand controls the market, I used to get various Pappy bottles from the old DEPS in Ft. Thomas, KY., at retail. The good old days.
I'm focused on the Elijah Craig because its high-proof bourbon is among the tastiest on the market, especially in the price range. I’m hoping for proof closer to the B524 release (130.6) instead of the A124 release (120 proof).
Other bourbons in October include Angel’s Envy Triple Oak Finished, Barrell Craft Spirits 13 Year Gray Label Bourbon, High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 12 and the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Whiskey Finished in Madeira Casks Blended with Wheat Whiskey.
REVIEW:
REMUS REPEAL RESERVE SERIES VIII
Note: Ross & Squibb Distillery provided the Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII sample without any special considerations. The Bourbon Resource appreciates Ross & Squibb Distillery.
101 Proof
MSRP: $99.99
Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII
A big bourbon with a rye-like finish that will keep you sipping.
History
This is the 8th release of the annual series, and this one contains three bourbons aged 10 and 17 years. Several previous releases have received raves in the bourbon community, earning Best in Class and Master and Double Platinum medals in various competitions.
Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII
Mash bill: Contains three different bourbons
10-year-aged bourbon containing 36% rye (67%)
10-year-aged bourbon comprising 21% rye (24%)
7-year-aged bourbon containing 21% rye (9%)
Let’s taste it:
🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass
👉🏻Nose: Sweet cherry candy, oak, leather, vanilla
👉🏻Taste: Oak, toasted nut, clove, pepper, maple
👉🏻Finish: Oak, maple, clove, cinnamon
Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII
Summary
Here’s a tip. Don’t try to taste bourbon after you’ve had food with garlic. I made an Italian sausage, pepperoni, garlic, and onion pizza for dinner, and that garlic stayed with me. When I took the first zip, I wondered what the hell was going on, and then I remembered —- garlic. So I had a couple of crackers, brushed my teeth, and —- that’s better.
Oddly, the sweetness on the nose disappeared. I got a nice taste of spice—predominantly pepper and clove —which makes sense, given the high rye content of one of the 10-year-old bourbons. This is a bigger, fuller bourbon than last year’s edition, with maple and toasted nuts taking center stage. The rye-like finish is especially impressive. The thick mouth feel lingers and fades with a bit of hot cinnamon.
Conclusion – Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII
There’s a huge difference between this and the VII, which I felt compelled to taste so I could pass the comparison along to you. (That’s right, I gotcha). While I really liked the VII (you can see that review here), the VIII is bigger and bolder, which is interesting considering the proofs are about the same. I found a bottle of this in the wild and pounced on it for $109. I’m glad I did.
Have you tried the Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII? What do you think?
That’s it for this month! If you’re an NBA fan, look at the Knicks Film School newsletter, which has the smartest commentary on all things New York Knicks and NBA basketball. You can click on the below button to learn more.
And our friends at Bourbon Obsessed have a tremendous catalog of bourbon and distillery reviews. You can see more from them here:
Ray Marcano writes and publishes the Bourbon Resource monthly, and he’s president of the 32 Staves Society. He’s a bourbon lover and long-time journalist who freelances for some of the country’s largest media brands. He’s the former national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, a two-time Pulitzer juror, and a Fulbright fellow.