Remus Repeal Reserve Rye: The First Remus Rye Whiskey
Remus Repeal Reserve Rye Whiskey is the first dedicated rye expression the brand has released, which makes it a genuine milestone rather than a line extension. It arrives from Ross and Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a place whose reputation was built on high-rye American whiskey long before the current rye revival made that fashionable.
The release combines mature 2015 and 2016 rye reserves distilled from the brand's signature 95% rye mash bill and bottles them at 111 proof. Below is what has been confirmed about the whiskey, how the higher strength shapes it, the official tasting notes, and how it sits alongside the Series X bourbon released at the same time.
Current specifications and availability are listed on the Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey product page.
Product at a Glance
- Product: Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey
- Brand: G. Remus Distilling Co.
- Category: Straight Rye Whiskey
- Proof: 55.5% ABV / 111 proof
- Mash bill: 95% rye
- Composition: 2015 and 2016 rye reserves
- Distillery: Ross and Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
- Release: First-ever Remus Repeal Reserve rye, limited 2026 release
- Price: $79.99 (compare at $99.99)
- Availability: In stock
Why a First Rye Matters for This Brand
Repeal Reserve has spent a decade as a bourbon series. Adding a rye is therefore not a routine portfolio move but a statement about where the brand sees itself, and the choice of Lawrenceburg as the source gives it weight.
That corner of Indiana has supplied a great deal of the rye whiskey Americans have been drinking for years, often under other labels. The 95% rye mash bill in particular has become something close to a reference point for the style, which means a release like this invites direct comparison with a long list of familiar bottlings. Putting the brand's own name on it is a more exposed position than sourcing quietly.
The reserves used here were distilled in 2015 and 2016, so the whiskey carries meaningful maturity. There is no front-label age statement, and the official announcement emphasizes those vintage reserves rather than a specific number of years.
What 111 Proof Does to a 95% Rye
A 95% rye mash bill produces a whiskey with pronounced herbal and spice character: mint, anise, dill and pepper are the usual signatures, and they can turn sharp if the whiskey is either too young or bottled too low.
Bottling at 111 proof addresses the second half of that equation. The higher strength preserves concentration rather than diluting the spice and oak into something thinner, and it gives the sweeter elements enough body to balance the herbal edge. It also means the whiskey holds its shape in a cocktail, which matters more for rye than for most categories, since rye's main job in a Manhattan or Sazerac is to not disappear.
Official Tasting Notes
The nose opens with butterscotch, caramel, French oak and cardamom, with concentrated rye spice underneath. The palate is described as rich mint, star anise, toffee and fennel, supported by mature oak, herbal rye character and warming spice. The finish is long and expressive, carrying a distinctive candy-coated fennel seed note alongside lingering sweetness and persistent rye spice.
The candy-coated fennel seed description is the memorable part, and it captures something real about how this style works at strength: the herbal and confectionery elements arrive together rather than in sequence. Butterscotch and toffee do the heavy lifting on the sweet side, while cardamom, anise and fennel supply the aromatic spice that keeps it from flattening out.
How It Compares to Series X
The rye was released alongside Remus Repeal Reserve Series X, the tenth anniversary bourbon, and the two make an instructive pair. Series X is a five-component bourbon blend at 107 proof built around almond pastry, vanilla, French oak and toffee. The rye is a single mash bill at 111 proof leaning into mint, anise and fennel.
Both share French oak and a confectionery sweetness, which is the house signature. Where they diverge is the spice: the bourbon's comes from oak and baking spice, the rye's from the grain itself. If you are choosing between them, that is the deciding question.
How to Enjoy It
Neat in a Glencairn or tulip glass is the place to start, giving it a few minutes to settle. At 111 proof, a small amount of water reliably reveals more caramel, mint, anise and toffee while taking the edge off the alcohol. A large cube suits a slower pour.
This is also a rye that earns its place in cocktails. The proof and the 95% mash bill make it well suited to a Manhattan, Sazerac, Old Fashioned or Boulevardier, where lesser ryes get buried under vermouth and bitters.
Who Should Consider Buying It?
Rye drinkers who already know the Lawrenceburg style will want to see how the brand handles its own version, and the first-release significance gives collectors a reason beyond the liquid. High-proof American whiskey enthusiasts are the other clear audience.
It also works for anyone who mixes seriously at home and wants one rye that can carry classic cocktails without needing a second bottle for sipping. Browse more recent arrivals in our new releases, or see what else is available among our rare and limited bottles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Remus Repeal Reserve Rye a bourbon?
No. This release is a Straight Rye Whiskey, not a bourbon. It is the first dedicated rye in the Repeal Reserve series, which until now has been a bourbon line.
What proof is Remus Repeal Reserve Rye?
It is bottled at 111 proof, or 55.5% ABV. That strength preserves the concentration of the mature rye reserves used in the blend.
What is the mash bill?
The release is made from the brand's signature 95% rye mash bill, the recipe most closely associated with Lawrenceburg rye whiskey.
How old is the whiskey?
There is no front-label age statement. Remus states that the release combines 2015 and 2016 reserves, which places the whiskey firmly in mature territory.
What does it taste like?
Expect butterscotch, caramel, French oak and cardamom on the nose, then mint, star anise, toffee and fennel on the palate, finishing with a candy-coated fennel seed character and lingering rye spice.
Final Thoughts
A first rye from a bourbon-defined brand invites scrutiny, and this release meets it with specifics: a 95% rye mash bill, confirmed 2015 and 2016 reserves, and a 111-proof bottling that lets the grain speak. The result is a rye with genuine herbal complexity and enough sweetness to stay balanced, equally credible neat or in a Sazerac. For drinkers who have been buying Lawrenceburg rye under other labels for years, this is a straightforward reason to pay attention. See the product page for current pricing and availability.
Purchasers must be 21 or older. A valid government-issued ID is required, and an adult signature may be required at delivery.