Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey

We review Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, an annual release from MGP that, for this year, is a blend of a bourbon with 21% rye and a bourbon with 36% rye.

OVERALL RATING

9
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes

About:

100 proof; a blend of a 77% 2008 Bourbon (21% rye) and a 23% 2008 Bourbon (36% rye); about $85.
Appearance:
For what it’s worth, this lovely art deco-inspired bottle also uncorks satisfyingly. No wriggling required. No knife needed to cut off gobs of wax. It smoothly glides in and out with a subtle sigh. Oh, the color? Its hue evokes fruit: The inside of a peach, close to the pit. A pleasing shine.
Nose:
Duh. MGP obviously knows what it’s doing. It’s as if this whiskey was created to address a punch list of top bourbon smells. Butterscotch. Vanilla. Whipped cream. Candied orange peel. Warm, fresh caramel.
Palate:
This hits you like a dramatic movie kiss. It starts soft but ends powerful and passionate. It’s silky like cake batter swiped from the bowl with a finger and then licked clean. Smooth as hell, even at 100 proof. There’s no burn or harshness. If you were to order up “palate pleaser,” this would be it. I’m all for supporting anyone who wants to try their hand at whiskey-making, but damn sometimes if it’s not just better to lie back and just let the pros handle it.
Finish:
Comments:
This is not a disappointment. You will enjoy it. I did. I won’t bring it out for just anyone. At $85 a bottle, this is not a terrible deal at all. If there’s a Kelley Blue Book for bourbon, this would hold its value.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Carin Moonin

Carin Moonin swapped a 5th-floor walkup in Hoboken, NJ, for a house in SE Portland a decade ago and hasn't looked back. She appreciates Portland's vibrant whiskey scene, finding it complements both the weather and her mood. Carin enjoys exploring the diverse world of brown liquor and its many facets. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Salon.com, DailyDot.com, Willamette Week, Portland Monthly, and others. When she's not indulging in whiskey or writing about it, you can find Carin running, reading, or on the hunt for free samples in grocery stores.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash

Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky Review

Can a budget blend named after a famous tea clipper hold its own? We taste Cutty Sark’s 40% Scotch and see how it stacks up against its Prohibition sibling.