George Remus Highest Rye is a six-year-old straight bourbon made with the highest amount of rye the law will allow, bottled at 109 proof (54.5% ABV).
The George Remus line honors the King of the Bootleggers, a Prohibition-era lawyer turned whiskey baron and one of the most colorful figures in American history. Highest Rye is crafted to pay tribute to rye's popularity heading into Prohibition, with a mash bill of 51% corn, 39% rye and 10% malted rye, bridging bourbon's sweetness and structure with the bold, peppery complexity of rye. It is proof that what might have been, can still be.
The aroma brings rich fruit syrup, slight maple, caramel, vanilla, barrel char, mint, cinnamon, fig and saddle leather. The taste delivers robust candied fruit, caramel and vanilla, finishing long with spicy cinnamon and saddle leather.
It is a fine gift for whiskey lovers who enjoy a bit of history.
Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak containers, and straight bourbon must be aged at least two years. Those rules give bourbon its characteristic sweetness, with caramel and vanilla drawn from the charred barrels.
Bourbon must be at least 51% corn, so a 49% rye and malted rye share is as far as the recipe can go.
Malted rye adds a softer, bready sweetness alongside the spice of raw rye.
At 109 proof, a few drops of water open up the fig and maple notes.
Tasting Notes
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Aroma: Fruit syrup, maple, caramel, fig, leather.
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Palate: Candied fruit, caramel, vanilla.
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Finish: Spicy cinnamon and saddle leather.
Specifications
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Brand: George Remus
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Style: Straight bourbon, highest rye
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Mash Bill: 51% corn, 39% rye, 10% malted rye
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Age: 6 years
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Proof / ABV: 109 proof (54.5% ABV)
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Region: USA
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat or with a splash of water, or stir a Manhattan or Boulevardier. It pairs with smoked brisket, fig tart or dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Highest Rye mean?
The most rye a bourbon can have while staying at least 51% corn.
How old is it?
Six years.
Who was George Remus?
The Prohibition-era King of the Bootleggers.
Explore more in our Bourbon collection.
