Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey 2026 Release

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Remus Repeal Reserve Rye 2026
Straight Rye Whiskey

55.5% ABV
$80
Website
Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey 2026 Release
We would like to thank Luxco and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Remus Repeal Reserve collection and the repeal of Prohibition, Remus introduced its first-ever rye release: Remus Repeal Reserve Rye Whiskey. Crafted at Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, this limited-edition straight rye whiskey is comprised of 2015 and 2016 reserves of Remus’ signature 95% rye mash bill, bottled at 111 proof (55.5% ABV).

“With our first-ever rye, we get to show a different side of our expertise,” said Ian Stirsman, Master Distiller at Ross & Squibb Distillery. “We’re proud to share both releases as a true reflection of our craft.”

TASTING NOTES
Aroma: Butterscotch, caramel, French oak, and cardamom
Palate: Mint, star anise, toffee, and fennel
Finish: Closes with candy-coated fennel seed

What Gary Says

Nose: Bright rye spice with mint, thyme, vanilla, butterscotch, toasted oak with lemon zest.
Palate: Major rye spice with mint, anise, cinnamon, citrus zest, vanilla, oak and pepper spice.
Finish: Long and drying with fennel, oak and a bit of caramel.
Comments: Wow, this is a deliciously spicy rye! Really intense, and an excellent addition to the lineup. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a big fan of the Remus Repeal Reserve bourbon, including this year’s release – but I tried this immediately following and this was my favorite.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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Remus Repeal Reserve Series X Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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Remus Repeal Reserve Series X
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

53.5% ABV
$80
Website
Remus Repeal Reserve Series X Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Luxco and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

For the last decade, the Remus Repeal Reserve Series has honored the repeal of Prohibition with an evolving annual blend inspired by the legendary “King of the Bootleggers,” George Remus. Series X is bottled at 107 proof and features a blend of three mash bills, the historic LBSV, LESV and the rarely seen LISV recipe — for the first time. A complex medley of multiple batches aged between 2008 and 2017, Series X is expertly blended by Master Distiller Ian Stirsman.

The nose offers French oak layered with vanilla, tobacco, and dark chocolate; the palate unfolds with almond croissant and vanilla alongside balanced oak and a subtle pistachio richness; and the finish is smooth and indulgent, carrying English toffee and candied almond.

“Series X captures everything the Repeal Reserve collection has stood for over the last ten years, pushing the boundaries of what a blended bourbon can be while honoring the history behind it,” said Ian Stirsman, Master Distiller at Ross & Squibb Distillery.

What Gary Says

Nose: French oak, cocoa, vanilla, tobacco, caramel and a hint of leather.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel with caramel sauce, almond cookie, vanilla, cinnamon, dried fruit, dark chocolate, oak with a hint of mint.
Finish: Moderately long, slightly drying with oak, caramel and bitter dark chocolate.
Comments: Lovely. I like the higher ABV, and this is well balanced with sweet, some savory and oak. I happened to have some Remus Repeal Reserve Series IX so did a side-by-side comparison, and this is slightly less sweet with a bit more oak. Based on the components, this has a slightly higher combined rye mashbill, as well as a bit more age. With a few drops of water, I got a bit of cherry on the nose, and the oak on the palate is tamped a bit while bringing more toffee forward. Overall, I preferred Series IX but this is still a really good bourbon.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Baker’s 13 Year Old Single Barrel (2026 Release)

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Baker’s 13 Year Old Single Barrel (2026 Release)
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

53.5% ABV
$150
Website
Bakers Limited Edition 13 Year 107 Proof Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and SAVONA COMMUNICATIONS for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

Unapologetically unique, this thirteen-year expression honors the Baker family’s long history of whiskey making and celebrates what makes us different. Bottled at 107 proof and distilled for a minimum of thirteen years, this limited expression offers a distinctive rich and decadent flavor, owing to its longer aging period. Each release is made different, every bottle born from a single barrel, distinct and individual. A true original.

This extra-aged expression explores how time and location in the warehouse drives distinction from barrel to barrel. While the notes of every barrel of Baker’s offer a unique tasting journey, you can expect a few defining characteristics:

TASTING NOTES
Aroma: Fruit, vanilla and caramel.
Taste: Medium bodied with flavors of oak, toasted nuts, with vanilla and fruity notes.
Finish: Robust, medium long, and warmly rounded.

What Gary Says

Nose: Rich caramel, toffee, oak, vanilla, Beam peanut note, black cherry, a hint of leather and pipe tobacco.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, caramel, oak, cinnamon, clove, brown sugar, vanilla, dark chocolate turtle brownie and mint.
Finish: Long and drying with oak, caramel, cinnamon & pepper.
Comments: I have always a fan of Baker’s. I feel in love with it back when it was 7 years age stated and 107 proof (which is just a great proof). I won’t lie — this has some oak on it for 13 yrs old, and a bit hot with cinnamon hot-candy vibes. Good news is that it takes water well, bringing out some clove on the nose and thickening the palate nicely while bringing out some chocolate orange and honey notes.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond

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Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50% ABV
$60
Website
Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond

What the Distillery Says

Old Fitzgerald Bourbon has a long history of excellence dating back to 1870. Today, Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond is the signature flagship expression from Heaven Hill Distillery, marking 155 years after the trademark honoring John E. Fitzgerald was first introduced.

Produced under the exacting standards of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, this wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is distilled from a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. After aging for seven years in Level 3 charred new American oak barrels, the Bourbon is bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV).

“Seven years proved to be a sweet spot for a Whiskey that already transcends expectations for a wheated Bourbon,” said Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “This refined Bourbon carries the same layered elegance its longer-aged sibling made famous, and the same commitment to excellence found in every bottle from Heaven Hill Distillery.”

TASTING NOTES
Color: Bright copper.
Aroma: Graham crackers and honey. Light citrus and summer fruit notes.
Taste: Rich and viscous. Fresh bread, brown sugar, and baking spices.
Finish: Long-lasting richness, brown sugar sweetness with cinnamon fades to a hint of oak.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, honey, soft oak, apricot jam with a hint of orange zest
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with honey, vanilla, caramel, graham cracker, apricot, cherry & cinnamon.
Finish: Moderate length with cinnamon, honey & citrus fruit notes.
Comments: As a wheater, it is more gentle than a rye mash bourbon. This is very soft. While 7 years is a respectable age, it just isn’t squarely in my wheelhouse (maybe at a higher ABV). I think back to 15 years ago when could get Old Weller Antique 107 at 7 years old, which was right in my sweet spot (yet Weller Special Reserve at 45%ABV and 7 years was absolutely not). This is better than WSR to my recollection, but at $60 it’d be tough to pick up.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C914 ‘Hazmat’

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Batch C914 (6th retail release)

70.1% ABV
$45
Website
Elijah-Barre-Proof

What the Distillery Says:

Named after the Father of Bourbon, Reverend Elijah Craig this limited release Small Batch, twelve year old Bourbon is bottled at Barrel Proof and without chill filtering, preserving the natural flavors produced during the aging process. At full Barrel Proof, you can enjoy the Bourbon much the same way our Master Distiller does when he samples straight from the barrel or, if you choose, add water to reduce the proof to your liking.

Color: Deep Amber
Aroma: Caramel with oak, fruit notes of apple and orange
Taste: Caramel, vanilla and butterscotch along with spices of black pepper and cinnamon in the back of the palate
Finish: Nice layered finish of all flavors; fades slowly with a hint of cool spearmint at the most lingering end

What Gary Says

Nose: Rich, slightly burnt toffee, vanilla, oak, brown sugar, dark chocolate, leather and tobacco.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel, dark chocolate, cocoa, oak, pepper, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg and nutty notes.
Finish: Long, drying with oak, cocoa and baking spices.
Comments: Dubbed Hazmat, this sips lower (like 130), but approach with caution. Takes H₂O like a champ, and doesn’t alter the flavor profile much – but does help with tamping down the heat. These early Elijah Craig Barrel Proofs were not all universally tremendous, but by and large they were pretty damned good (although the first retail release honestly set the bar a bit too high).

Rating: Must Buy

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