PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Before Kentucky became famous for bourbon, Maryland was one of America’s great rye whiskey states, and Maryland-style rye was known for balancing rye spice with a softer, richer, fruitier character. Sagamore Whiskey, founded in 2013 in Baltimore, has built its brand around reviving that tradition, and its mission has been to move from sourced whiskey to whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled entirely in Maryland. The 8-year-old Bottled-in-Bond Rye is the proof of that: the first Sagamore straight rye that is 100% Maryland-made, including the distilling and aging.
The whiskey was distilled in the spring of 2018 at Sagamore’s Baltimore distillery and aged for eight years, double the four-year minimum for Bottled-in-Bond. Under the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, the whiskey must be the product of one distillery in one distilling season, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. It’s a blend of Sagamore’s two rye mash bills, a high-rye and a low-rye, which is the brand’s approach to Maryland-style rye, triple distilled, and made with a sour mash fermentation. It’s non-chill filtered, hand-bottled, and produced in one small batch per year. It was released nationwide on September 1, 2026, at 50% ABV (100 proof).
The company’s tasting notes: aromas of “powdered sugar, soft leather and baking spices”; a palate of “grilled peaches, brown sugar, and sweet cherry”; and a finish that is “warm and lively, with notes of rye bread, baked apple crumble, and light maple syrup.” Master Distiller Ryan Norwood says of the whiskey: “It has the spice and character you want from a rye, but the time in the barrels has brought in a level of richness and depth that makes it a really rewarding whiskey to sit with.” That’s a good summary of the style: a fruit-forward, sweet-leaning, approachable rye, softer than the spice-bomb ryes of Indiana.
There are no independent reviews of the 8 year yet. For house-style context, reviewers of the original 6-year Bottled-in-Bond (2021) found it “bold and spicy, with freshly grated cinnamon, peppercorn, and dried herbs,” “orange peel and tinned pear,” and “Red Hots, candied ginger, and ample baking spice” (Drinkhacker), and “prominent caraway seed” with “peach and apple orchard” notes (Paste). The extra two years in the barrel should round those edges and add the leather, caramel, and fruit that the 8-year’s notes describe.
It’s a Maryland rye with real age, a good fit for rye fans who want something rounder and fruitier, and for bourbon drinkers curious about rye. It also makes a strong Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
Sagamore Whiskey 8 Year Old Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey is produced by Sagamore Whiskey in Baltimore, Maryland, under Master Distiller Ryan Norwood. A blend of high-rye and low-rye mash bills, triple distilled, sour mash, distilled in spring 2018 and aged 8 years in a federally bonded warehouse. 100% Maryland distilled, aged, and bottled. Non-chill filtered, hand-bottled. Bottled at 50% ABV / 100 proof, 750ml.
No independent reviews or scores are published yet for the 8 Year.
Sagamore Whiskey (tasting notes):
“Aroma: Powdered sugar, soft leather and baking spices. Palate: Grilled peaches, brown sugar, and sweet cherry. Finish: Warm and lively, with notes of rye bread, baked apple crumble, and light maple syrup.”
Ryan Norwood, Master Distiller (via The Manual):
“It has the spice and character you want from a rye, but the time in the barrels has brought in a level of richness and depth that makes it a really rewarding whiskey to sit with.”
Drinkhacker (original 6-year Bottled-in-Bond; house-style context):
“The aroma is bold and spicy with freshly grated cinnamon, peppercorn, and dried herbs... notes of orange peel and tinned pear that give this one a sweeter edge as it opens in the glass.”
Nose
Powdered sugar, soft leather, and baking spice.
Palate
Grilled peach, brown sugar, and sweet cherry, with rye spice.
Finish
Warm and lively, with rye bread, baked apple crumble, and light maple syrup.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Straight Rye Whiskey — Bottled-in-Bond |
| ABV / Proof | 50% ABV / 100 Proof |
| Age | 8 Years (distilled spring 2018) |
| Mash Bill | Blend of high-rye and low-rye mash bills; triple distilled; sour mash |
| Origin | 100% Maryland distilled, aged, and bottled — Baltimore |
| Filtration | Non-chill filtered; hand-bottled |
| Producer | Sagamore Whiskey (founded 2013) — Master Distiller Ryan Norwood |
| Release | One small batch annually; nationwide September 1, 2026 |
| Style / Identity | A fruity, sweet-leaning, approachable Maryland-style rye with real age |
| Aromas & Flavors | Powdered sugar, leather, baking spice, grilled peach, brown sugar, sweet cherry, maple |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Neat or with a few drops of water — to taste the peach and spice.
Manhattan or Old Fashioned — a rounded, fruit-forward rye base.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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