SAGAMORE SPIRIT RESERVE SERIES
10 YEAR RYE WHISKEY
MARYLAND, USA
WHY BUY:
Whisky Advocate named Sagamore Spirit's 10 Year Old Reserve rye the No. 7 whiskey on its Top 20 list of 2025. Naturally, that sent demand skyrocketing, and so we knew we had to get our hands on some barrels. This is a hand-picked selection of the same star bottling, a high-octane (110-112 proof) whiskey, aged for 10 years in charred American white oak and full of complex spice, that will make lovers of rye swoon, but that will appeal, as well, to bourbon heads with its marvelously rich texture. Sagamore Spirit took home World's Best Rye at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, in 2019, but to our palate, they’ve only gotten better in the years since, and this bottling is among the finest whiskeys we’ve sampled in this or any year. Don’t miss out.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
Whisky Advocate doesn't hand out Top 20 spots lightly, as you know, and landing at No. 7 for 2025 put Sagamore's 10 Year Old Reserve in rarified company and sparked a buying frenzy. Demand like that doesn't just happen, of course. It’s the product of years and years of excellence, and of slowly building word-of-mouth.
OUR TASTING NOTES:
A marvel of a whisky. The first thing that hits you, when you nose your glass, is peach preserves (sweet and jammy) followed by graham crackers and dark chocolate. The latter two notes are just a tease, of course, but at this point it’s hard not to get excited, and to think that real depth is forthcoming. On the palate, it's a balancing act between sweet and spice: orange zest and pecan pie sweetness play against peppery honey and cinnamon toast heat. There's crème brûlée richness underneath, along with white pepper bite, and the delicate oakiness reminds you this spent a full decade in barrel. At 112 proof, it's got backbone, but the texture is the thing, truly. It’s rich enough to satisfy bourbon drinkers who usually skip rye, and spicy enough to remind rye purists why they fell in love with the category in the first place.
THE STORY:
Most today don’t know it, but Maryland used to own the category of rye whiskey. Before Prohibition gutted the industry, before Kentucky bourbon grabbed the spotlight, Maryland rye was the smooth, creamy counterpoint to Pennsylvania's spicier expressions, a regional style so distinct that bartenders across the country specified it by name. Then it all but vanished. By the time the 20th century ended, Maryland's rye tradition existed mainly in history books. Enter Kevin Plank, the Under Armour founder and a Maryland native. In 2017, Plank and partner Bill McDermond opened Sagamore Spirit in Baltimore with a back-to-the future mission: to revive the tradition of Maryland rye. Crucial to their plans has been a resource that many outside the spirits world tend to take for granted: water. Specifically, pure limestone-filtered spring water from Sagamore Farm, a historic thoroughbred farm 22 miles outside Baltimore. Maryland's water is softer than Kentucky's, giving the rye a creamier texture that distinguishes it from its sharper cousins, and also more mineral, which plays beautifully against the spice of rye. It’s not just water that makes these bottles special. They also developed a dual-mash bill system, with one mash intended to enhance spice and fruit notes, and the other to coax forward sweetness.
FUN FACT:
Sagamore Farm has been breeding thoroughbred racehorses since 1925. Interestingly, horse racing and rye were once defining features of the state’s culture. By the late 20th century, both had waned, though Pimlico, of course (one of the three races in the Triple Crown) retains much of its stature.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only buy and source directly from the producer, so rest assured: your whiskey will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. With demand surging after the recent Whisky Advocate recognition, be sure to secure your bottle today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2026. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer only valid in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, IN, MD, NJ & TX. This offer will expire on Monday, March 2, 2026.