Brown sugar | Crème brûlée | Aged oak | Faint marshmallow | Vanilla extract | Fresh whipped cream | Dab of barrel char | Hint of ethanol 

Cinnamon cake | Aged oak | Bold rye spice | Tobacco leaf | Aged leather | Baking spices | Dab of spiced syrup

Cinnamon spice | Aged oak | Light rye spice | Leather | Hint of Tobacco leaf | Lingering dry spice

Remus Gatsby Reserve was first introduced in 2022. According to the company, the bourbon is released to celebrate the era of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary 1925 novel, “The Great Gatsby,” and features a blend of two bourbon mashbills distilled at MGP’s Ross & Squibb Distillery in Indiana, and curated by Master Distiller Ian Stirsman.

Unlike last year’s edition of Remus Gatsby Reserve Bourbon, this year’s edition focuses on just a single mashbill. The result is that it highlights a large amount of spice along with age, which is expected for a 15 year bourbon. The nose is a creamy blend of sweet scents along with a surprising dab of alcohol, considering it’s 102.8 proof. These sweet influences drop off at the midpoint as more aged notes barrel forward along with a healthy amount of rye and baking spices. Any remaining sweetness drops off altogether in the finish as cinnamon spice, and more drier, earthier notes take over, ending things on a lingering dry spice note. 

While so many limited releases continue to rise in price, surprisingly, this year’s edition of Remus Gatsby Reserve Bourbon is priced $30 less than last year’s edition (which was also a 15 year old bourbon). It’s a rare win for consumers, and one that is appreciated. Overall, the sip is exactly what you’d expect to see for a well aged 15 year old bourbon. It’s full of spice and aged oak notes, along with pleasing flavors from start to finish. While still priced on the high side, lovers of higher aged bourbons will find this to be a great pour.