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J. Rieger’s Latest Monogram Sherry Cask Whiskey A Straight Bourbon

J. Rieger & Co. is a craft distillery out of Kansas City that’s been producing some well regarded whiskeys for a number of years now. One of their more popular and limited offerings is the annual sherry cask focused Monogram Whiskey, and for 2022 the newest iteration has just been announced.

The 2022 release of Rieger’s Monogram Whiskey, according to those behind it, is a blend marking the fifth Monogram release since the distillery was relaunched in 2014. It has been created using four nearly century old 500-liter barrels that were removed from the actual solera of the Williams & Humbert Drysack 15-year Oloroso Especial and shipped to the J. Rieger & Co. distillery. This year, their solera has grown to a total of 10 casks, and this release utilizes just five of those 10, all filled with bourbon, making it the first time that the Monogram bottling is a straight bourbon whiskey.

More specifically it is comprised of straight bourbon whiskeys roughly 6 ½ to 10 ½ years old. This year’s blend, it is said, celebrates the complex terroir of the legendary sherry botas and its effect on American whiskey. Monogram collectors may detect hints of the 2017 and 2018 varietals, as the whiskey from those barrels were added to the 2022 blend.

Rieger’s Monogram Whiskey
The 2022 release of Rieger’s Monogram Whiskey (image via J. Rieger & Co.)

“Rieger’s Monogram Whiskey has always been a passion project for our team featuring highly unique and innovative whiskey expressions,” said Ryan Maybee, co-founder at J. Rieger & Co, in a prepared statement. “This year’s release is a very special to us as it’s a Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a first of its kind for the Monogram label. Being able to launch a Monogram Bourbon Whiskey as well as our Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Whiskey in a single year is truly humbling.”

Plans call for only 1,887 bottles of Rieger’s 2022 Monogram Whiskey to be available at the J. Rieger & Co. distillery and in select retail stores throughout Missouri and Kansas. The suggested retail price is $129.99 and the whiskey is bottled at 103 proof (51.5% abv).

Official tasting notes feature clover honey and red fruits on the nose, as well as nutty notes of toasted cashews and candied almond. There are hints of dried mint and sage, as well as buttered toast, salted caramel, cigar tobacco, and fruity hints of black cherry and dried apricot. The palate features both sweet and spicy notes, including cinnamon, popcorn and burnt clove. The mouthfeel is soft and elegant, despite the complex and rich flavor profile. This year’s blend features a balance between smoke and earthiness, fruit and spice, and is reminiscent of Kansas City BBQ. It ends with a long finish with deep earthy notes, including espresso and dark chocolate.

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