Rating 93
Style
American Whiskey
Whiskey
Produced In United States
ABV 46.5%
Availability Year Round
Price $39.00 
Reviewed By
Reviewed 2025-09-16

Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Whiskey Review

In the early days of America, this was a rye country, and several regions specialized in their own take on the category. Maryland was one of those areas — once third in rye distilling only to Kentucky and Pennsylvania — though the state had quit making it for decades until distilleries like this well-funded upstart started popping up in the mid-2010s.

Immediately smelling the whiskey you realize this is its own unique beast, separate from the Kentucky archetypes. It offers a spicy aroma — distinctly rye whiskey. Produced from a blend of two straight rye mash bills, aged 4 to 6 years in high-char American oak barrels, the palate balances the herbs and baking spices with more sweetness, caramel, and brown sugar.

While elegant enough to sip, the price makes it highly attractive for mixing (though the thick, angular, and, quite frankly, unattractive bottle makes jiggering a challenge). We’d probably prefer at least a bonded whiskey (100 proof) for our favorite cocktails, yet this still delivers even with its slightly-lower proof (a mere 93 proof).

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93
POINTS
Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Whiskey
In the early days of America, this was a rye country, and several regions specialized in their own take on the category. Maryland was one of those areas — once third in rye distilling only to Kentucky and Pennsylvania — though the state had quit making it for decades until distilleries like this well-funded upstart started popping up in the mid-2010s. Immediately smelling the whiskey you realize this is its own unique beast, separate from the Kentucky archetypes. It offers a spicy aroma — distinctly rye whiskey. Produced from a blend of two straight rye mash bills, aged 4 to 6 years in high-char American oak barrels, the palate balances the herbs and baking spices with more sweetness, caramel, and brown sugar. While elegant enough to sip, the price makes it highly attractive for mixing (though the thick, angular, and, quite frankly, unattractive bottle makes jiggering a challenge). We’d probably prefer at least a bonded whiskey (100 proof) for our favorite cocktails, yet this still delivers even with its slightly-lower proof (a mere 93 proof).

Reviewed On: 09-16-2025
93
POINTS
Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Whiskey
In the early days of America, this was a rye country, and several regions specialized in their own take on the category. Maryland was one of those areas — once third in rye distilling only to Kentucky and Pennsylvania — though the state had quit making it for decades until distilleries like this well-funded upstart started popping up in the mid-2010s. Immediately smelling the whiskey you realize this is its own unique beast, separate from the Kentucky archetypes. It offers a spicy aroma — distinctly rye whiskey. Produced from a blend of two straight rye mash bills, aged 4 to 6 years in high-char American oak barrels, the palate balances the herbs and baking spices with more sweetness, caramel, and brown sugar. While elegant enough to sip, the price makes it highly attractive for mixing (though the thick, angular, and, quite frankly, unattractive bottle makes jiggering a challenge). We’d probably prefer at least a bonded whiskey (100 proof) for our favorite cocktails, yet this still delivers even with its slightly-lower proof (a mere 93 proof).

Reviewed On: 09-16-2025