Rye whiskey is slowly coming into a revitalization, undoubtedly aided by the ongoing (if recently stagnating) popularity of bourbon. Many bourbon drinkers looking to expand their tastes beyond the corn-dominant spirit dabble with rye whiskey, likely because several bourbon distilleries produce ryes of similar quality. This is one reason that Sagamore Spirit, formed in 2013 by Kevin Plank (with help from Bill McDermond and Brian Tracey), is slightly unique. Until recently, the Baltimore-based distillery only released rye whiskeys. Although this approach would sound bizarre if referring to a Kentucky distillery, rye goes hand-in-hand with much of Maryland’s storied history.

Rye gained popularity in Maryland during the colonial days. Nowadays, it’s common to hear that rye is more difficult to deal with than other grains (typically corn) during the distillation process. However, when it comes to growing as a crop, it was considered preferable to the likes of wheat and barley. As for corn? It was relatively new to Maryland at the time, resulting in more use for food as opposed to distillation. This brings us to the discussions of “Maryland style” rye whiskeys from yesteryear, which often include comparisons to “Pennsylvania style,” or Monongahela rye whiskeys. The oversimplified version is that Maryland ryes utilize less rye in comparison (51-70% rye), implementing greater portions of corn and/or barley for the rest of the mash bill.

Now that we have some context, let’s get to today’s actual review. Sagamore 8-Year is part of the brand’s Reserve Series, which “captures the innovative traditions of Maryland distilling.” These involve either a fun, usually lengthy barrel finish, or an elevated age statement. One might read that and instinctively think, “8 years isn’t that long for whiskey,” which isn’t untrue. However, some ryes can hit “peak maturity” far sooner than other spirits. Some of the qualities that make rye whiskey fans love the spirit are notes of fruits, spices, and/or herbs, each of which can quickly dissipate during maturation if the responsible team isn’t careful. This can even come down to barrel selection; I’ve had some 95/5 ryes from MGP in the double-digit range that are candy-sweet, some that balance spice with desert notes in the best way, and others that are flat and overly oaky.

All this is to say that rye whiskeys with unassuming age statements can be more exciting and fulfilling than those with more ostensibly alluring statistics. Sagamore 8-Year was originally released in 2021 at the distillery and local markets before coming back in 2023 with wider distribution. In a move that should sound familiar to Willett fans, Sagamore blend a combination of low-rye (likely 51/45/4) and high-rye (95/5) mash bills, with the majority usually going to the high-rye component. Each of the age-stated Reserve Series releases utilized stocks sourced from MGP. Although the 8-Year and it successors are often speculated to be bottled at cask strength (this one being 55.7% ABV), neither the bottle nor Sagamore’s site clarifies this detail.

Nose: Great sweet and savory balance. Oily citrus notes leap out of the glass, first orange followed by tart lemon with hints of basil, rosemary, and toast in the background. Vibrant peppercorn and bergamot eventually shine through the initially sweet exterior. An overall fun and lively powerplay of aromas that leans on the botanical side.

Palate: Moderately dense and oily mouthfeel with tart citrus vibes abound, along with ample rye spice. The upfront citrus is very much orange syrup, but quickly transitions to lemon oil over ginger spice and a light presence of salted toffee. A spry combination of mint and pepper quickly ensues, hitting an apex in time for the finish.

Finish: Pepper spice gradually recedes as herbs start to shine. More orange oil sets the stage before taffy and lingering notes of clove, lemongrass, and brief hints of fennel.

Now that’s a rye lover’s rye. The Sagamore team fully demonstrated their blending aptitude on this 8-Year Reserve Series release, which plays up a profile of spice and herbal notes complemented by just enough underlying sweetness. What catches me most off-guard is just how botanical each sip is, especially considering the age statement. But as a gin lover, I’m not here to complain about such an association. I also enjoy how oily this whiskey is, complementing the strong, pervasive citrus notes.

If it isn’t clear, I’m far more excited to cover additional whiskeys from Sagamore than I was after reviewing Double Oak. Obviously the 8-Year benefits from the additional years of aging and higher bottling strength, but it ultimately translates to far more compelling product. Had I let my impressions of the Double Oak rye dictate whether Sagamore would be worth more time and money from me, I’d probably have written them off. Let’s just say I’m glad that I didn’t and look forward to exploring the distillery’s portfolio…as well as the distillery itself.

 is much more my speed than Sagamore Double Oak, which I found to be overly docile, especially as a double oaked rye whiskey. If I’d judged Sagamore off of that expression, I would’ve written them off entirely. Let’s just say that I’m glad I didn’t and am excited to explore more of their releases as I continue covering more of their bottlings.