The Story: Now in it’s 3rd year, Remus Repeal Reserve Series III is the flagship bourbon from the venerable MGP distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. You can read all about the history and prevalence of MGP whiskey here. As an annual release, Remus Repeal Reserve is a blend of bourbons created under the direction of David Whitmer. Last year they raised the proof from 94 to 100, which they have kept this year. Each year has maintained a blend of 10 to 12 year old stock. Which I assume to be a fairly sweet spot of maturation given all of their aging variables. (Though they do have a 14 year Remus Volstead Reserve releasing this year in extremely limited quantity.)
Name: Remus Repeal Reserve Series III
Distiller: MGP (Lawrenceburg, IN)
Bottler: MGP (Lawrenceburg, IN)
Type of Producer: Distiller
Year Established: MGP established in 1941. They purchased the Lawrenceburg distillery in 2011. Records of the distillery site date to 1808.
Bottling Proof: 100
Age: Blend of 11 & 12 year old barrels
Mashbill: 12%, 2007 bourbon (21% rye); 78%, 2008 bourbon (21% rye); 10%, 2008 bourbon (36% rye).
Style: Blend
Release Date: November 2019
Release Type: Limited Edition
Availability: Mostly midwest markets though I was told supply will be spread out more compared to last year due to planned market expansion in 2020.
MSRP: $84.99 (750ml)
Tasted: Remus Repeal Reserve Series III (2019)
Nose
Bold, rich vanilla, spice
This bourbon hit my nose the second I poured it into my glass
A hint of dried dark fruit and notes of tanned leather
A bit of water brings forward a punchy rye spice
Palate
Spicy and rich on the tongue
Deep dark oak comes through in the best ways possible
Sweet with a slight acidity on the sides of the tongue
I appreciate the conservative use of the 36% rye mashbill component in this blend. I imagine it adds character and depth to the 21% rye masbills that makes up the rest of the blend but I’m not sure I would have liked the RRR3 as much had they used more of the 36% rye.
Mouthfeel
Mouth coatingly delicious
Finish
Spicy and long finish with a lingering oaky warmth
Final Impressions
This whiskey represents its age extremely well. It seems to me that they picked these 11 and 12 year old barrels at their peak. Rich and deep character has polished away any trace of under-maturation without reaching the point of too much “oakyness” sometimes found in bourbon left to age a bit too long. The oak, vanilla, and spice are in perfect balance. This bourbon begs to be savored neat, with a few drops of water, or rocks if you must. But this isn’t one I would subject to a cocktail.
Quick breakdown of how each release compares:
Series I
85%, 2005 bourbon (21% rye)
15%, 2006 bourbon (36% rye)
–
Series II
15%, 2007 bourbon (21% rye)
50%, 2008 bourbon (21% rye)
10%, 2007 bourbon (36% rye)
25%, 2008 bourbon (36% rye)
–
Series III
12%, 2007 bourbon (21% rye)
78%, 2008 bourbon (21% rye)
10%, 2008 bourbon (36% rye)
