THE BOURBON RESOURCE: SEPTEMBER 2023

A look at what's coming up and three reviews of fantastic bourbons

Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash

Happy September. In this edition, we have three reviews of bourbons and whiskeys that appeal to a wide range of palates.

And a big thank you to all all current and new subscribers. When I relaunched the newsletter a year ago, we had about 30 readers. We’re now at 300. I’d like to reach 500 subscribers over time and not grow much larger than that. We have a very strong and interested bourbon group who I enjoy interacting with. A group much larger than that makes that type of communication hard. Thank you all very much for your support. And to reiterate: I will never charge for this newsletter. —- Ray Marcano

NEWS:

From bourbon to bankruptcy. Running a boutique whiskey business isn’t easy, even for one that received excellent reviews. Whiskey Hollow Distillery, based in Valley View, Texas, has filed for bankruptcy protection. The distillery opened in 2014 and expanded into a new warehouse four years later. In 2017, the executive chefs at the Gaylord Texan named the distillery’s Texas Gold Bourbon the best Texas-made bourbon, and that’s some achievement since Garrison Brothers and Whitmeyers both come from the Longhorn state. But Whiskey Hollow couldn’t make it, and the Dallas Morning News has a terrific story on how a confluence of events resulted in the distillery’s downfall. I’ll throw back a shot in honor of Whiskey Hollow.

WHAT TO EXPECT COMING UP: Check it out:

• October: Readers choose their best whiskeys! Plus, a comparison between the 2022 and newly released 2023 Remus Gatsby Reserve 15 year.

• November: The annual Bourbon Resource Gift Giving guide.

• December: The Bourbon Resource Awards (sponsored by the 32 Staves Society) naming the best bourbons and ryes of 2023!

NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE REVIEWS

Fall means bourbon releases, and the Bourbon Resource is fortunate enough to have three new (and tasty) bottles to sample.

REVIEWS

Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII

Note: Ross & Squibb provided all the samples reviewed this month without any special considerations. The Bourbon Resource appreciates Ross & Squibb.

Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII

100 Proof

MSRP: $99.99

Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII

This is so smooth I never would have guessed it would be 100 proof.

History

This is the 7th release of the annual series, and this one contains five bourbons aged from nine to 16 years. Several previous releases have received raves in the bourbon community, earning Best in Class and Master and Double Platinum medals in various competitions. Series VII contains:

• 6% of the 2007 bourbon (21% rye)

• 26% of the 2013 (21% rye)

• 26% of 2013 (36% rye)

• 21% of 2014 (21% rye)

• 21% of 2014 (36% rye)

Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII

 Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻Nose: Candied pecans, caramel, vanilla

👉🏻Taste: Maple, caramel, cherry licorice, nuts

👉🏻Finish: Vanilla, caramel, maple

Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII

Summary

This smooth drinker has all of the classic bourbon notes. You’ll get sweetness on the nose before the

cherry licorice that explodes on the tongue. That cherry follows with maple and caramel and gives off a thick mouth feel. The long finish brings out all the flavors with just a little heat, enough to warm you on a fall night. Some 47% of the bourbon comes from the high rye releases, and that’s stunning. The only hint of spice comes via that little heat on the finish.

Conclusion – Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII

An absolute yes buy. The $99.99 price tag (and up) is now, unfortunately, the going rate for premium bourbons, and limited-edition Remus falls into the category. Really, it’s one of the better bourbons at the $100 price point. You’ll probably have the same problem I do --- I want to drink too much of it too fast.

 Have you tried the Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII? What do you think?

REVIEW

Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

100 Proof

MSRP: $49.99

Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

A rye lover’s dream that bourbon drinkers will find approachable, all at a reasonable price

History

From the Ross & Squibb website:

Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, began life as the Rossville Distillery in 1847 by George Ross and is one of America’s last Prohibition-era distilleries. The underground aquifer that produces limestone-filtered water gave the rye whiskey a pure, unique taste. During Prohibition, George Remus was based in Cincinnati. He was within 200 miles of every shuttered whiskey warehouse in the country, including just 30 miles from Rossville Distillery. He even had warehousing grounds on the current-day property. Seagram bought Rossville Distillery in 1933. After a few more owners, MGP bought the distillery in 2011.

Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

 Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻Nose: Leather, chocolate, dark malt, mocha

👉🏻Taste: Pepper, vanilla, light rye, cinnamon, nuts

👉🏻Finish: Mocha, cinnamon, cardamom, malt

Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

Summary

In a blind test, the Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey would not come off as a rye. That’s due to the product’s composition --- 51% rye, 49% malted barley. All of that barley cuts the rye properties on the nose and taste. That’s no surprise since enzymes barley produce the carbs that eventually turn to alcohol. Barley gives bourbon that deep, chocolate, nutty taste, and that’s what you get here. It isn’t until the finish that you go, “Oh, that’s a rye,” but a lighter, tasty, and appealing one.  

Conclusion – Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

This six-year-aged, 100-proof bottled-in bond product is the rare rye that whiskey connoisseurs will fall for while the chocolate, nutty, mocha flavors will appeal to bourbon drinkers, And it’s at a great price. I normally review the ryes and then give them away. Not this one. Grab one if you can because Ross&Squibb will only release 18,000 bottles nationwide.

 Have you tried the Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey? What do you think?

REVIEW

Remus Highest Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Remus Highest Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

109 Proof

MSRP: $54.99

Remus Highest Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Yes. Just yes.

History

Remus bourbon has been expanding its brands, and the Remus Highest Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the latest endeavor that will become a permanent release. Its mash bill contains 51% corn, 39% rye, and 10% malted barley and is bottled at 109 proof.

Remus Highest Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

 Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻Nose: Pepper, spice, grain

👉🏻Taste: Sweet cherry, caramel, vanilla, mint

👉🏻Finish: Peppercorn, warm cherry licorice, honey

Remus Highest Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Summary

This is kind of the opposite of the Rossville Union. In a bling test, this screams rye. But the sweetness takes over on the lounge before the peppercorn comes front and center. But after a short burst of tingly warmth, the cherry and honey provide a long, lingering finish. It’s bourbon the way bourbon should be --- tasty, balanced, and it won’t kill your wallet. I’ve already had about a third of the bottle and need to find another one.

Remus Highest Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Have you tried the Remus Highest Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey? What do you think?

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That’s it for this month! If you’re an NBA fan, look at the Knicks Film School newsletter, the smartest commentary of 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:

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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.