Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII Bourbon Review & Tasting Notes

 

If it is September, it is Bourbon Heritage Month. And, if it is Bourbon Heritage Month, it is the beginning of Allocated Bourbon Season. It is typically when the American legacy distilleries distribute most of their annual releases.

 

Remus Repeal Reserve is one of those annual allocated whiskeys I wait for with great anticipation. I’ve been blessed to have reviewed several Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbons. They range all over the place, but the clear standout (so far) has been Series V from 2021. It was so spectacular that it took my 2021 Best Bourbon and 2021 Whiskey of the Year award. The 2023 Series VII came darned close.  

 

And now, the 2024 Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII has been released. It is non-chill filtered and weighs in at 50.5% ABV (101°), which is up a whole proof point from the previous releases. The 750ml package has a suggested price of $99.99, the same as it did in 2023. The mashbill is 100% MGP (now Ross & Squibb) and is comprised of:

 

• 2007 Bourbon: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley (9%)
• 2014 Bourbon:  75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley (24%)
• 2014 Bourbon:  60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley (67%)

 

“We wanted to push the boundaries with this eighth edition by doing several things differently than in the past. We increased the proportion of the high-rye recipe bourbon compared to previous editions and returned to non-chill filtration to keep the viscosity and mouthfeel intact. We also blind-tasted the final blend at different proofs and found the 101 proof to be the favorite. These changes, along with our history of using the best barrels to create award-winning annual releases, are sure to make Remus Reepal Reserve Series VIII a memorable pour.” – Ian Stirsman, Master Distiller

 

I must take a moment to thank Ross & Squibb for providing me with a sample of Series VIII in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious and see how this year’s expression holds up.

 

Appearance: I poured this Bourbon into my Glencairn glass to sip neat. Inside, the topaz-colored liquid produced a massive rim with gluey droplets that dropped at a snail’s pace.

 

Nose: Remus’s aroma included spiced nuts, old leather, dried cherries, and caramel. I pulled the air through my lips and found French vanilla.

 

Palate: With my first sip, I encountered a thick, creamy, weighty texture. It was as if I had taken a spoonful of maple syrup in my mouth. Interestingly, that was the first thing I tasted, accompanied by cherries and brown sugar. The middle comprised notes of vanilla, rye spice, and nutmeg. Flavors of oak, cinnamon, and clove hit the back of my palate.  

 

Finish: The oak, cinnamon, and clove continued well throughout the finish. Vanilla, nutmeg, and dates tried to compete. It was a long duration, one that I timed at 1:58.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: While the high-rye Bourbons made their presence clear, Remus Repeal Reserve VIII still drank slightly below its stated proof and is the most dense Bourbon I’ve had in a few years. It is well-balanced and I believe it will be a crowd-pleaser. It certainly did me.

 

But how does it compare to Series V? Thankfully, I still have some in my whiskey library for just this very question. Series VIII’s nose is superior, as is its mouthfeel. Yet, Series V is still the champion of this matchup, with a broader palate and finish.

 

Regardless, Series VIII earns every bit of its Bottle rating, and I’d put it in the Top Three of the product line. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.