George Remus Highest Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

George Remus Highest Rye is a bold, assertive high-rye bourbon that marries spicy intensity with candied fruit and oak structure. It’s dramatic and lively—a bourbon for those who appreciate grit, rye backbone, and complexity in a robust pour.

Origins & Craftsmanship

• George Remus is a brand under Ross & Squibb / MGP Lawrenceburg (Indiana), linking to a legacy of distilling innovation.

• Highest Rye is explicitly made with one of the highest permissible rye contents for a bourbon. The mash bill is 51% corn / 39% unmalted rye / 10% malted rye.

• The whiskey is aged for 6 years as a straight bourbon, giving it time to integrate the spiciness of rye with oak and fruit.

• It is bottled at 109 proof (54.5% ABV), with no additional age-statement extensions or finishing casks.

• The brand positions Highest Rye as a tribute to the elevated presence of rye in American whiskey just before Prohibition, highlighting what “might have been” in styling.

Tasting Profile

Nose: Begins with lively baking spice—cinnamon, clove, and black pepper—as well as dried cherry, red currant, vanilla, and a hint of toasted oak. Subtle mint or herbal notes may emerge on mid-palate.

Palate: Bold, spicy, and direct. Rye spice (black pepper, ginger) dominates early, followed by rich dark fruit (cherry, plum) and maple syrup sweetness. Layers of oak and leather anchor the heat, while a touch of butterscotch or caramel adds balance.

Finish: Medium to long. The spice lingers, gradually mellowing into spiced fruit and oak tannin. A final echo of baking spice, toasted wood, and a whisper of dark chocolate or leather fades out.

Quick Overview