Fruity caramel | Raspberries | Strawberry | Apple | Sweet corn | Mellow oak | Bright & inviting

Caramel | Oak | Cream soda | Dried figs | Light ginger | Touch of honey | Soft & gentle

Tobacco leaf | Leathery oak | Slightly dry | A dash of walnut

Now in its fifth release, Remus Repeal Reserve is MGP’s premier limited edition brand. Utilizing many different bourbon mashbills, the company creates a bespoke blend that is meant to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 and honor one of the oldest distilleries in the United States.

During its first few sips, Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Bourbon hits you hard with a strong front of caramel and oak. Tasting neither particularly young or old, it settles on an enjoyable middle ground, demonstrating maturity without the typical mustiness that comes with it. With ample time to open up, the whiskey reveals an interesting collection of flavor notes. Absent any real fruit or overly sweet notes (somewhat of an oddity these days), Remus Repeal Reserve is instead an experience of intrigue. Discovering notes of cream soda and dried figs, combined with ginger and honey make for a fascinating flavor profile. The finish contrasts this by leaning heavily on a classic style of leather, tobacco, and of course, oak.

What comes across at first as an overly convoluted blend of bourbons - which you still have to give the company props for sharing this information - translates into a unique sipper. I wasn’t overly wowed initially, as I discovered, this is a bourbon that takes some time to get to “know.” This should find an audience with more experienced drinkers that want to take the time to dissect it and come away with a better understanding of what makes this bourbon tick.