Review of George Remus Gatsby Reserve (2024) 15-Year-Old Bourbon

 

If you’re an experienced whiskey hunter, you know when the best allocated selections hit the market. And, if you’re a fan of Ross  & Squibb (MGP) Bourbons, you know that means it is Remus Gatsby Reserve.

 

Named to honor the F. Scott Fitzgerald story, The Great Gatsby, and the events of the 1920s. The book was a commentary on the changing of times. It told a great story with plenty of subtext that makes the reader think.

 

If you’ve never read it (it is one of my favorite books I read in high school), it tells the story of George Gatsby. Gatsby was a self-made millionaire who lived during America’s Jazz Age. Gatsby was obsessed with Daisy Buchanan; he’d been in love with her since they were children. Gatsby was a man of extravagance, and people were curious how his immense wealth was gained. He was a bootlegger and a gambler (much like George Remus himself).

 

Remus Gatsby Reserve was introduced to the market in 2022. It is made from 15-year-old Bourbons distilled from two MGP mashbills: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley, and 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley.

 

“We’ve produced exceptional Bourbon whiskey over the years at Ross & Squibb – and we worked to elevate our Gatsby Reserve even further to create a truly legendary pour that pays homage to the distilling craft and the spirit of the Roaring ‘20s. This 2024 edition delivers on every point and is likely to become the most highly sought-after member of the Remus Bourbon family.” – Ian Stirsman, Master Distiller 

 

Is this year’s Gatsby Reserve going to be the most highly sought-after ever? Statements like those are a dime a dozen. Yet, this whiskey isn’t that cheap. In fact, Ross & Squibb describes Remus Gatsby Reserve as ultra-limited. It comes at a suggested price of $229.99 for a 750ml, packaged at its cask strength of 52.45% ABV (104.9°); the price and proof are a significant uptick from the 2023 release.

 

We can leave the marketing to the marketers. Meanwhile, I’ll do what I always do: #DrinkCurious. First, I must thank Ross & Squibb for providing me with a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s do this!

 

Appearance: I poured this Bourbon into my Glencairn glass to sip neat. Inside, the liquid presented as the color of a cigar. It created a medium rim, generating droplets that formed widely spaced, slow legs.

 

Nose: Gatsby’s aroma included cherry pie filling, leather, tobacco leaves, caramel, bold vanilla, and oak. I encountered dry, ancient leather when I drew the air into my mouth.

 

Palate: The silky texture brought flavors of vanilla, cocoa powder, and old leather to the front of my palate. The middle offered almonds, dried figs, and cherry pie filling. I tasted cinnamon, oak, and caramel on the back.

 

Finish: Wow, the leather note sucked the moisture from my mouth; even my teeth felt dry! Beneath that, I found oak, caramel, cinnamon powder, dark chocolate, and black pepper. The duration ran 3:03, making it very long, and as each moment passed, the arid quality continued to build.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: A few things are happening here. First and foremost, I loved this Bourbon. There are dry whiskeys and then those almost barren of moisture. George Remus Gatsby Edition is in that latter venue. Don’t let that scare you; it results in a desire to return for another sip.

 

Second, the Bourbon drank many points below the stated proof. Nothing suggested heat, not even the leathery dryness.

 

Third, this is a delightful Bourbon that I found myself returning to repeatedly. Unfortunately for me, the sample provided didn’t last long.

 

That brings us to the final point – the price. They're relatively uncommon when you get into the realm of 15-year-old Bourbons. That’s because the longer Bourbon interacts with oak, the higher the chance it will become overoaked. These older barrels require much attention to ensure they don’t spoil. There are several 15-year-old Bourbons on the market with a suggested price between $99.00 and $149.00, yet when you get into barrel-proof options, that eeks up to $249.00 or so. That would place George Remus Gatsby Reserve at the higher end of the spectrum.

 

I loved the 2023 version so much that it took my 2023 Please, Santa? Award, which is reserved for whiskeys that enter that super-premium price range. I preferred the 2024. So, yes, it is pricy, but I believe it is worth picking up a Bottle. 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.