Remus Repeal Reserve VIII Review: A 2024 Bourbon Blend with 17-Year-Old Depth

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Ross & Squibb Distillery
• MASH BILL: A blend of three high rye bourbons:
  • 9% 2007 Bourbon (21% Rye)
  • 24% 2014 Bourbon (21% Rye)
  • 67% 2014 Bourbon (36% Rye)
• AGE: Non age-stated but a blend of bourbons ranging from 10-17 years
• YEAR: 2024
• PROOF: 101
• MSRP: $100
• BUY ONLINE: SipWhiskey

DREW'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: MGP superfans. Bourbon drinkers tired of paying $200+ for a limited edition.

WORTH THE PRICE: Yep. Holding steady at a $100 MSRP for the third year in a row, this remains one of the best values in super-premium bourbon. And despite consistently impressing in recent years, it doesn't seem to be getting much of a secondary markup.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. Your home bar deserves a bourbon like this, just special and approachable enough to sip through slowly and enjoy, but not so precious (or crazy high in proof) that it starts gathering dust on the shelf. If you're like me, you probably have too many of those.

OVERALL: Ross & Squibb have delivered another winner with Remus Repeal Reserve VIII. When the series kicked off eight years ago, I wasn't sure where it would end up. The first couple of releases were good, but they got progressively better to the point where I can now comfortably recommend them to any bourbon lover looking for a special pour.

This latest edition is a less elaborate blend than past releases (comprised of only three bourbons), but the thoughtfulness and careful construction are still evident. Notably, this year's release returned to non-chill filtration to improve mouthfeel and, for the first time, it's bottled at 101 proof, an ever-so-slight uptick from the seven 100 proof releases that came before but one reportedly made after exhaustive blind tasting at different strengths.

What might appeal most to fans of this series is the use of 17-year-old bourbon (9% of the blend), which has added a slightly older dimension to this one that sets it apart from previous releases. The nose showcases top notes of saddle leather, cigar wrapper, and soft wood spice underpinned with more classic Remus aromas of dark cocktail cherry and gooey pecan pie. The palate is showing a bit more maturity, as well, with darker chocolate notes, plenty of baking spice, and more of a raisiny fruit quality. It's a bit drier than last year's offering but still wonderfully round and balanced. The midpalate offers up brown butter and pralines before brightening on the finish with orange peel and mint syrup.

Remus, like seemingly everyone else, has moved even further upmarket with its Gatsby Reserve, but Repeal Reserve continues to sit in the premium sweet spot for price and quality.

BRAND NOTES

A 101 PROOF, LIMITED EDITION BOURBON AGED SINCE 2007-2014.

Introducing Remus Repeal Reserve® Series VIII, the latest edition of the award-winning Remus Repeal Reserve collection.

Featuring a medley of three bourbons aged since 2007 – 2014, Series VIII is crafted to honor the repeal of Prohibition on December 5, 1933.

The oldest Remus Repeal Reserve ever at 10-17 years, Master Distiller Ian Stirsman has also made a few updates for Series VIII.

“We did a couple things different for Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII,” Stirsman noted. “First, once we finalized the blend, we blind-tasted it at different proofs, with the 101 proof being the favorite. We also returned to non-chill filtration to increase the mouthfeel, and went with a higher proportion of the high-rye recipe bourbon than in years’ past.”

This culminates in an exceptionally complex, high-age bourbon that offers aromas of cherry, candied pecans and hints of leather, along with exquisite flavors of maple syrup, cherry and fig. The finish lingers with vanilla, oak and notes of baking spice.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.