George Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon Review
This George Remus Repeal Reserve expression is a step from the everyday George Remus bourbon that I reviewed several months ago. It’s not quite the “big hitting” bourbon I was hoping for back then, but it’s a step in the right direction.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: MGP Ingredients (George Remus brand website)
- MASH BILL: 50%, 2005 Bourbon (21% Rye); 15%, 2006 Bourbon (36% Rye); and 35%, 2006 Bourbon (21% Rye)
- AGE: Blend of 11-12 year old bourbons
- YEAR: 2017
- PROOF: 94 (47% ABV)
- MSRP: $74.99
- BUY ONLINE: Wine-searcher.com
POPS' NOTES
NOSE: Toffee | Dark Fruits | Honey | Hint of Mint
TASTE: Honey | Toffee | Baking Spices | Nuts
FINISH: Sweet notes of honey give way to warm baking spice and nuts with an oily mouthfeel. As the sweetness fades, there's a medium finish of spices with a whisper of mint.
SHARE WITH: Novices may enjoy this one, but I would hold out and share it with folks who are really into bourbon. MGP fans will especially enjoy it.
WORTH THE PRICE: When I first heard this was coming out, I thought an MSRP of $74.99 was about right. However, I didn't realize that it would only be 94 proof. If it had been 100 proof or higher, I'd be more inclined to agree with the price. But as it stands I think it's a bit overpriced. To be more exact, I think it the price should be between $55 and $60.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: The price dictates that I recommend you try this at a bar first. Unless of course dropping $74.99 for a 94 proof bottle of bourbon doesn't faze you in the slightest.
OVERALL: This George Remus Repeal Reserve expression is a step from the everyday George Remus bourbon that I reviewed several months ago. It's not quite the "big hitting" bourbon I was hoping for back then, but it's a step in the right direction. If you're a fan of some of the barrel strength releases of MGP juice put out under different brand labels, you'll find the nose on this one familiar. And while that will get your attention the taste falls a bit short due to the lower proof. It's a delicious whiskey - as you'd expect from the folks at MGP, but it's not legendary – at least not yet. I look forward to what comes next in this line from MGP. I can only hope that a barrel strength version of George Remus is in the pipeline.
BRAND NOTES
A LIMITED RELEASE AS RARE AS GEORGE REMUS, HIMSELF.
Crafted to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition on December 5, 1933, Remus Repeal Reserve is a limited release crafted with a medley of bourbons from 2005 and 2006.
AROMA: Sweet toffee, raisin and fig
TASTE: Smooth notes of buttery toffee and honey
FINISH: Spicier rye, raisin and fig finish
GEORGE REMUS DIDN'T NEED THE 21ST AMENDMENT. But that doesn’t mean we don’t celebrate it. King George never shied away from an excuse to celebrate. And we have plenty of reasons to choose from. We celebrate a man who had the creativity and commitment to become a legendary bootlegger. We celebrate a bootlegger who risked family, fortune and freedom to craft the era’s finest bourbon. We celebrate a bourbon that defied an amendment. And we celebrate an amendment that defied one that came before it. So whether you’re toasting the man, the bootlegger, the bourbon or the amendment, join us in toasting with Remus Repeal Reserve, the perfect complement to GEORGE REMUS® Bourbon in your liquor cabinet.
Disclaimer: MGP Ingredients provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.