Sagamore Reserve Tequila Finish Review

This Sagamore Reserve Tequila Finish whiskey is the first tequila-finished whiskey I’ve ever had… and I like it. I know I know, spoiler, but the two work so oddly well together and I want to talk about it more than just in the review below. This is a truly unique expression, the first large-scale tequila barrel finished whiskey, and I’m loving that it not only exists but how successful the execution is.

Experimentation and cask finishing is a tricky thing. Sometimes it doesn’t work very well, but when it does, it enhances the base spirit (Sagamore Spirit Rye) and turns it into something fun and different, especially when the cask used is a surprise. I would have thought a powerful rye like MGP would overwhelm the tequila notes, but as we’ll see below, that definitely isn’t the case. I hope we see more of these in the market, it could make for some interesting new profiles.

Sagamore Reserve Tequila Finish – Details and Tasting Notes

Whiskey Details

Region: Indiana, USA

Distiller: MGP
Bottler: Sagamore Spirit
Mash Bill: At least 51% Rye + Corn + Malted Barley (blend of MGP’s high rye (95%) and low rye (51%) mash bills)
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Tequila
Age: 4+ Years
ABV: 49%

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 2021

Price: $70*

White background tasting shot with the Sagamore Reserve Tequila Finish bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.

“We finished our straight rye whiskey in Extra Añejo Tequila barrels. The result is remarkably unique tequila finished whiskey with notes of agave and vanilla on the nose and honey, peppercorn and orange citrus to taste. Pairing tequila and whiskey is always a risky move, but this was a risk worth the reward.” – Sagamore Spirits

Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy caramel

NOSE
Spice, banana peels, mango, herbal, citrus, grainy sweet, oak and I want to say there’s a touch of agave sweetness, but it’s so light it could be psychosomatic. Still, there’s a nice balance between sweet and rustic that even if the agave is imaginary here it’s still a pleasant experience.

PALATE
Oak, spice, caramel, agave, honey, nuts, baking spice, mango, pepper and leather. There is a light tropical touch to it but on the whole, the Sagamore Reserve Tequila Finish palate is a bit more rustic with a very pronounced agave note floating through. Tasty.

FINISH
Long -> Oka, baking spice, agave sweetness and tropical fruity sweetness fade

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Good, med-full, touch dry but mostly warm and velvety

Sagamore Reserve Tequila Finish – Overall Thoughts and Score

This is pleasant. It’s drinkable, it’s fun, it’s unique, it’s balanced, I’m seriously enjoying it. The oak and the various sweet notes are balanced and sit perfectly in step with the tequila making a noticeable presence. I thought for sure the rye would obliterate it and we’d end up with something that had just hints and whiffs of agave, but nope. We get a wonderfully bold delivery instead.

Part of me wants to drink all of this sample neat because I’m enjoying it so much. But, my curiosity has me wanting to make cocktails with it as well. The combo of flavors is super unique and I’m dying to find out how the Sagamore Reserve Tequila Finish does in some of my go-to whiskey cocktails: Sazerac, Old Fashioned, Basin Street and Manhattan. Or, heck, even in something like a La Rosita. Should be fun.

SCORE: 3.5/5

*Disclosure: The sample for this whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.