From the brand:

Careful maturation and thoughtful blending are on display in this 10-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey. After aging our rye in new charred American white oak barrels for at least 10 years, we created this blend that boasts aromas of peach crumble, roasted nuts, and molasses cookie. Balancing sweet with spice, this rye whiskey has full flavors of crème brûlée, floral honey, and lingering white pepper. Our Sagamore Spirit Reserve Series celebrates the legacy of Maryland distilling, with an unyielding focus on excellence from start to finish.

Hand-Bottled
Quality ensured from grain-to-glass

This sample was provided by Sagamore Spirit at no cost. All opinions are my own.

Sagamore Spirit 10 Year Old Maryland Straight Rye Whiskey: Specs

Classification: Maryland Straight Rye Whiskey

Producer: Sagamore Spirit

Mashbill: Undisclosed

Proof: 110.8º (55.4% ABV)

Age: 10 Years Old

Location: Maryland

Sagamore Spirit 10 Year Old Maryland Straight Rye Whiskey Price: $79.99

Official Website

Sagamore Spirit 10 Year Old Maryland Straight Rye Whiskey: Tasting Notes

Eye: Amber. Thin, oily rims, thin legs, small teardrops.

Nose: Some ethanol up front alongside light mint and a mild proof. Caramelized rye bread, light on the caraway. Proof picks up quickly. Black pepper caramels, black licorice, absinthe sharpness.

Palate: Above-proof strength, lights up the entire tongue with rye, pepper, and maple sweetness. Lemon bark, front tongue heat keeps going. The black licorice is quite present, more herbal than sweet in a twist from the nose. Mouthfeel is silky, heat continues to build mid-palate, sharp herbal rye, feels closer to a 95/5 than Sagamore usually does to me.

Finish: Dark, dark licorice notes, candied, alcoholic brownies. Proof dies quickly, mild astringency hangs on with the spicy and cooling size on a long finish.

Overall: This will fit some people’s likes, no doubt, especially those desiring more herbal and woody ryes, but for me it’s either too old or has a different 10 year old component than the 7-8-year-old blends I’m accustomed to from Sagamore. Strong ethanol, oak and higher-than-noted proof all lead to a powerhouse, albeit an unbalanced one.