Review: Sagamore Spirit Rye 10 Years Old (2025)
Founded in 2013 with a vision to revive Maryland’s proud — but nearly forgotten— rye whiskey tradition, Sagamore Spirit set out on a path few dared to tread. Backed by one of Under Armour’s original architects of hustle, Sagamore approached rye whiskey with the same grit and performance mindset that built a sportswear empire — only this time, the goal was to engineer greatness in a glass.
Early on, Sagamore sourced rye whiskey from the renowned MGP distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — blending high-rye and low-rye mashbills into a signature style that hinted at what was to come. But just like a prototype training shoe, those early blends were only the beginning. In 2017, the brand crossed the goal line it had been training for: Maryland-distilled rye, produced in-house at their Baltimore distillery, began rolling off the stills — using the same yeast strain and mashbills that first put them on the map.
Since then, Sagamore has released an impressive lineup of 100% Maryland-distilled ryes. But tucked away behind the scenes was still plenty of well-aged Indiana rye — quietly aging, patiently waiting.
Until now.
In September 2025, Sagamore Spirit added a new pinnacle to its Reserve Series: Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye 10 Years Old — the oldest whiskey the distillery has ever bottled. With 131 barrels dumped to produce four batches, this release draws from the two signature mashbills: 95% rye / 5% malted barley and a 51% rye / 45% corn / 4% malted barley. The blend leans heavily into the high-rye profile (roughly 85%), with the low-rye rounding things out at about 15% — a ratio that is relatively consistent with most Sagamore expressions, with the exception of the Double Oak, which tilts a bit more toward the low-rye side with only 75% of the blend being high-rye.
Bottled across four batches, the youngest barrels in this 10 year old were filled on August 13, 2015, making them 10 years and 2 days old when dumped. The oldest? Filled August 22, 2014 — just 11 days shy of an 11th birthday.
Sagamore Spirit graciously sent Batch 4A to Drinkhacker for review, and it’s clear this whiskey is no benchwarmer. While the spotlight is rightfully shifting toward Sagamore’s Maryland-distilled future, don’t count out the Indiana legacy just yet.
Sagamore Spirit Rye 10 Years Old (2025) Review
Building on the foundation of the Sagamore Spirit Rye 9 Years Old released in 2024, the 2025 release continues to present a clear dried apricot character, slightly differentiating from the ripe fruit notes of the previous year. Pickled ginger adds a lively note early on, and with time in the glass, spicy clove and burnt orange peel come forward. The additional barrel aging is evident, setting this release apart from its predecessor.
True to Sagamore Spirit’s fruity character, the palate opens with a sweet citrus flavor similar to Hi-C Orange Lavaburst before shifting to a noticeable peppermint note. As the rye rests on the palate, sarsaparilla and pink peppercorn arrive alongside a medium-thick mouthfeel. Although the initial sweetness is strong, the overall fruitiness is more subdued than in the 2024 release, showing balance.
The finish leads with a brief hint of peach Jolly Ranchers before turning to darker notes of brown sugar, nutmeg, and Nilla Wafers. While whiskey enthusiasts look ahead to more Maryland rye, this 2025 Reserve Series makes it clear that Indiana-distilled rye continues to protect this house.
The Sagamore Spirit team has poured in the proverbial blood, sweat, and respect needed to fashion this whiskey. It’s clear the only way forward is through the same hard work and dedication. With a price of $80, this feels like an absolute steal. It’s refreshing to see a quality release aged for at least 10 years priced at less than $100.
110.8 proof.
A / $80 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
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