Review: Baltimore Spirits Epoch Reserve Straight Rye

We took our first look at Baltimore Spirits Co.’s Epoch Rye when it debuted back in 2020 as the flagship whiskey expression in the Maryland craft distillery’s impressively creative and diverse spirits portfolio. Five years later, that same pot-distilled rye whiskey remains the focal point of the lineup, but it has grown up a bit. Now called Epoch Reserve, the whiskey carries an age statement of “over four years” although we’re told that current blends include some five-year-old barrels with the potential for even older in the coming year. While the recipe is still 100% rye, the blend has adjusted slightly to a reported 75% unmalted rye and 25% malted rye. It was already impressive in its youth, so let’s see what time and a few tweaks have done for this one.

Baltimore Spirits Epoch Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey Review

Like its younger brother, the aroma on this older Epoch is dominated by the malted rye, unfurling with top notes of candied cherry, warm ginger snap cookies, red licorice, and cinnamon sugar. As it blooms in the glass, a bit more rye spice comes into play with fennel, sage, and a little pickling spice adding a savory, herbal edge to some of that initial sweetness and finding quite a nice balance.

The nose may only be slightly different than I recall, but the palate has really progressed, trading in some barrel-driven chocolate and cocoa for more fruits and spices. It remains impressively approachable for a 100% rye with a round, silky mouthfeel that compliments early notes of cherry cordial, Andes mints, and vanilla buttercream. The midpalate hums with baking spice, dark berry jam, and licorice undertones before giving way to a rich, warm finish of black tea, oatmeal raisin cookies, and fruit-filled Christmas cake.

The old Epoch was admirable, but this latest incarnation is on another level. Distribution is currently limited to the distillery gift shop and a few online retailers, so I guess find a way to get to Baltimore.

100 proof.

A / $65

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