Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP) presents Remus Repeal Reserve VI Straight Bourbon Review bottled at 50% — a $99.99 expression that merits close attention.
A Blend Built on Legacy
Ross & Squibb Distillery — the house brand of MGP, Indiana's prolific whiskey-making operation — has made the Remus Repeal Reserve an annual appointment for bourbon enthusiasts. Series VI continues that tradition with a five-bourbon blend bottled at 50% ABV, and it arrives at a moment when MGP's own selections carry serious credibility. When a distillery of this calibre cherry-picks from its own inventory, the result tends to speak for itself.
The Blend
Series VI draws from five distinct bourbon mashbills and age profiles. The breakdown: 2% from 2008 barrels (21% rye), 17% from 2012 barrels (36% rye), 27% from 2012 barrels (21% rye), 29% from 2014 barrels (21% rye), and 25% from 2014 barrels (36% rye). That small allocation of 2008 stock — likely around fourteen years old at bottling — adds a layer of depth that the younger components alone could not deliver. The interplay between the 21% and 36% rye mashbills creates a push-and-pull between grain sweetness and spice that defines this pour.
Appearance
Light amber with golden highlights catches the glass. Swirling produces small, tight beads that stretch into long, thick legs — a reliable indicator of the viscosity to come.
Nose
Spiced butterscotch dominates the first impression: heavy brown sugar layered with nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove. Beneath that initial wave, fig jam and vanilla emerge, rounding out a nose that feels generous without becoming cloying. It reads like a well-stocked spice cabinet sitting beside a bakery window.
Palate
Toffee sweetness and honeyed fruit arrive up front, and the body is surprisingly light for a 100-proof bourbon. That lightness lets the flavours breathe before a robust wave of spice and brown sugar builds through the mid-palate and into the finish. The close dries to a leathery note that lingers patiently, inviting another sip to recapture that initial toffee sweetness. Alcohol is present and felt throughout, but it never turns abrasive or distracting.
Adding a few drops of water shifts the profile noticeably. Toffee doubles down, a nutty quality surfaces, and intense black pepper pushes through the spice notes with renewed purpose. Both expressions — neat and with water — are worth exploring.
Verdict
Another fantastic Remus release, and further proof that when MGP turns its attention inward and selects from its own barrels, the results are genuinely special. At $99.99 for 750ml, Series VI sits at a price point that reflects the quality inside the bottle without veering into collector-only territory. If you gravitate toward spice-forward bourbons with layered complexity, this belongs on your short list. Highly recommended.
