Remus Repeal Reserve (Series VIII) Bourbon Review

The Remus Repeal Reserve series out of Ross & Squibb Distillery–the facility that many of us whiskey geeks still just refer to as MGP of Indiana–is an annual release that I look forward to each year, not because it’s typically the most bombastic or powerful of bourbon experiences, but for the way it tends to offer a delicious, nuanced blend featuring some of MGP’s extra-aged whiskey, at a pretty fair price point. The typical Repeal Reserve expression features a core blend of high-rye MGP bourbons in the 8-10 year range, typically with a small portion of older distillate added in to inject some oaky complexity. It’s been a winning formula for the company through seven batches to date, with MSRPs in the $100 range.

Hitting the shelves now is Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII, and in this eighth expression, the company reveals that there have been a handful of tweaks of relatively moderate seeming importance. As Master Distiller Ian Stirsman notes, the proportion of higher-rye bourbon is greater in this batch than typical for the series, and it also includes more of the extra-mature liquid than previous batches. Note that these are marginal increases–Series VII had 6% of a 16-year-old bourbon in the blend, while Series VIII has 9% of a 17-year-old bourbon in its blend. Still, these are the kinds of tweaks that can potentially make a substantial difference in the long run, as is the choice to non-chill filter this bourbon. The most inexplicable change is the bump to 101 proof, when all the previous expressions had been 100 proof. You have to wonder at the reasoning there. Its full specs are below:

— 9% a 17-year-old bourbon with 21% rye
— 24% a 10-year-old bourbon with 21% rye
— 67% a 10-year-old bourbon with 36% rye

Most Popular

This is actually a simplification of sorts for the series, given that some of the other recent expressions–including Remus Repeal Reserve V, which is often cited by bourbon geeks as the most superior one–have had five or more components. For what it’s worth, I have never been a believer that Series V was more exceptional than the others that followed, though it may have been more assertive. This new Series VIII, meanwhile, will likely have high expectations with whiskey geeks thanks to the higher average age of the blend. So with that said, let’s get to tasting it.

On the nose, Repeal Reserve VIII displays deep, sweet oak and an element of roastiness evocative of sweet charcoal and a little leather. This certainly feels just older and more mature, and I think that a blind taster would note the extra signs of maturity here. There’s a lot of sweetness to be had on the nose in general, with toffee, vanilla pudding, some citrus and a little marzipan. It also trends in darker fruit directions, particularly with a dried fruit sort of dimension that touches on raisin. The nose here certainly draws you in.

On the palate, this displays a nice balance between elements that are overtly sweet, roasty and spicy. Charred oak and sweet espresso lead the way, with baking spice character evoking cinnamon, allspice and clove. I’m getting toffee and significant toasted wood spice, while that dried dark fruit returns as well with slightly vinous raisin. All that oak does present some moderate tannin as well, which does turn the end of the sip a little more dry, although it’s really only enough to offer a counterpoint to the sweetness. Notably, this also displays a very soft and appreciably silky mouthfeel, a texture that I feel is probably superior to the last few years of this series–the non-chill filtering, perhaps.

The overall impression is that this just feels notably more mature, and that comes across in a positive way. I’m still not sure exactly why that extra half a percentage point of ABV was a necessity, but it’s not like it matters. This will be a treat for fans of extra-aged MGP high-rye bourbon mash bills, and feels like a pretty solid value at its MSRP given the state of the current whiskey market. As is often the case, this brand has not disappointed for 2024.

Distillery: MGP of Indiana (Luxco, Ross & Squib Distillery)
City: Lawrenceburg, IN
Style: Straight bourbon whiskey
ABV: 50% (100 proof)
Availability: 750 ml bottles, $100 MSRP

Jim Vorel is a Paste staff writer and resident beer and liquor geek. You can follow him on Twitter for more drink writing.