George Remus Single Barrel Cask Strength

George Remus Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon is a newer brand from a distiller you have been drinking for decades, MGPI, the Lawrenceburg, IN distilling behemoth.  After supplying many of the craft distillers early on in their respective operations (including the George Remus brand), MGPI acquired the brand back in 2016 and expanded its distribution.  Never having had it under the previous brand, I can’t opine as to if they changed the mash bill or the mix at all. The mash bill isn’t marketed, but given the spice level, it’s MGPI’s bourbon mash bill with either  21% or the 36% rye.

Barrel No. 2021 Barrel Select Store Pick from Cap, Cork & Cellar, aged at least 4 years.

ABV: 57.35%

How it smells…strong scent of oak and vanilla, some floral notes and baking spices.  Adding a dab of water and you lose some oak and vanilla, but it gets more floral and you get more sweetness (cotton candy?)

How it tastes…starts off with traditional bourbon oak and vanilla and some sweetness towards the middle, ending in more oak and some nice rye spice.  Add some water and it starts off more spicy with cinnamon and allspice.  Honey sweetness towards the middle and ending in fruity black walnuts with a warm dry spicy finish.  Interestingly, you get all of the spice up at the top of your mouth more so than the tongue.  

Price..This was a birthday gift so not sure exactly, but from what I see online, anywhere from $55-$70

Rating...🥃🥃🥃🥃

Final thoughts…A traditional bourbon at first, but with water you get more floral and rye spiciness.  The oak remains, but dissipates a bit to become the background music.  Overall, a very well put together bourbon…I tend to stay away from a lot of the MGPI sourced products out there, but if you are going to buy some, I suppose you might as well get it straight from the source.  I like it and welcome it to my rotation.  4x 🥃 seems right as you get a high octane single barrel and there’s always a slight mark up with store picks.

I also have the Remus Repeal Reserve, which is filled with a lot of aged MGPI bourbon…I’ll be getting to that one over the next few weeks.