Sagamore Spirit Collaborates with Sierra Nevada to Release Limited Edition Rye Ale Barrel Finish Whiskey

BALTIMORE – The second collaboration between Sagamore Spirit and Sierra Nevada is here: Sagamore Spirit Brewer’s Select Rye Ale Barrel Finish. Sagamore Spirit finished a blend of six-year-old and four-year-old straight rye whiskies in barrels that first aged Sagamore Spirit rye, and then Sierra Nevada’s prized red ale. The result is a one of a kind rye, revealing rich cocoa on the nose, with notes of creamy caramel and hazelnut to taste.

It’s a case of what goes around, comes around – in the best of ways – that gave rise to two limited releases. Last year, Sierra Nevada finished its red ale, made with Maryland-grown malted rye, in spent Sagamore Spirit barrels. The result was a complex, one-of-a-kind craft ale. Sierra Nevada then shipped those same barrels back to Sagamore Spirit. The Baltimore distillers filled the twice-used barrels with straight rye whiskey to finish for an additional 10 months. The collaboration initially came about when a discussion about trademarks turned into a barrel-aging brainstorm – the fruits of which have now been fully realized.

The limited-edition whiskey, at 90 proof, marks the first release from Sagamore Spirit’s new “Brewer’s Select” line, signifying whiskies that are beer barrel-finished for unique taste experiences, each starting from the Maryland-style rye that the distillery is at the vanguard of reviving.

“Like us, the team at Sierra Nevada believes in doing things differently, and doing things right. We learned last year just how well our approachable Maryland-style rye complemented their red ale, and now they’re returning the favor,” said Brian Treacy, president of Sagamore Spirit. ”It’s the first time we’ve finished our whiskey in beer barrels that we originally owned, and the result was well worth the wait.”

Rye Ale Barrel Finish is the first release from the Baltimore-based distiller following its two Double Gold award wins at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: one for its Calvados Finish, the other for its Barrel Select Straight Rye Whiskey.

Sagamore Spirit Brewer’s Select Rye Ale Barrel Finish will be available nationwide in May, in 750ml bottles at a suggested retail price of $69.99. To find a bottle near you visit sagamorespirit.com/find-rye.

About Sagamore Spirit

Sagamore Spirit opened its award-winning five-acre waterfront distillery campus in Baltimore in April 2017. Since then, nearly 100,000 guests have visited the campus and tasted the brand’s 50-time award-winning rye whiskies. Each batch of whiskey is made with pure spring-fed Maryland water. The distillation team blends two different rye mash bills – a high rye and a low rye – and then adds limestone-filtered spring water transported 22 miles from Sagamore Farm, to create an 83 proof Maryland-style rye whiskey. 100 percent of Sagamore Rye is cut to proof with this distinct water. Sagamore Spirit is committed to inspiring a global passion for Maryland Rye Whiskey.