For our three-rye roundup, we’re headed to Maryland, where Sagamore Spirit produces its tantalizing, award-winning whiskies. Nestled within the Baltimore peninsula, Sagamore’s waterfront distillery sources Maryland-grown rye grain from local farmers and limestone water from its onsite springhouse, which has stood since the brand was founded in 1909. While Sagamore’s flagship Small Batch Rye has earned countless accolades, including World’s Best Rye Whiskey at the San Francisco Spirits Competition 2019, its catalog is packed with expertly, attentively crafted ryes, notably the following three.

Double Oak

A “double oak” whiskey usually indicates finishing in a second-fill cask, such as sherry, but Sagamore doubles down. After four to five years of maturing in traditional, high-char American oak, the whiskey is transferred to toasted wave stave barrels for another 18 months. The more open structure allows deeper contact between the whiskey and the oak. The noticeably richer color comes with that much more character. Although this is diluted before bottling, its 96.6 proof balances the robust wood notes beautifully. Notes of walnut, toasted coconut, and silky caramel follow robust aromas of old leather and wood varnish. The finish is not as dry as other ryes, lingering on the palate with a wonderful warmth and fullness.

Cask Strength

Sagamore’s Cask Strength expression is a blend of 7-year and 4-year ryes with high- and low rye mash bills, respectively. The blend is bottled at its natural 112.2-proof. The 7-year provides lush dark chocolate and molasses notes, while the 4-year keeps the pour balanced with bright citrus and dry spice. The cask strength proof makes for a full-bodied whiskey that remains in tune with itself. Where some cask-strength expressions may go for the sensory overload, Sagamore’s is a careful blend that is simply a delight to sip.

Manhattan Finish

It should go without saying that Sagamore Rye makes a great Manhattan, but this limited-edition expression encapsulates the classic cocktail in one single pour. This is not a bottled cocktail, though. Instead, Sagamore took its flagship rye and finished it for 20 months in ex-vermouth, bitters, and cherry brandy barrels before blending it with its original whiskey. On the nose, this carries all of the same aromas but with the addition of dark fruit and candied cherries. The vermouth and bitters accents come through more on the palate, which presents all of the indulgent subtleties of a good Manhattan. Herbs, spice, and fruit accompany an excellent rye whiskey suitable for mixing or sipping straight. Sagamore set out to capture the essence of the Manhattan in a whiskey, and it succeeded.

Final Thoughts

Although my favorite of the three is Cask Strength bottling, a category I am often partial toward, the expression that impressed me and surprised me the most was the Manhattan Finish. It’s not uncommon for established distillers to “jump the shark,” so to speak, with experimental finishing or flavored expressions. Still, Sagamore Spirit truly captured the essence of the Manhattan cocktail without going overboard. The accents were subtle and iconic and made for a nuanced, mindful addition to the brand’s already formidable range.