Review #779 - Remus Repeal Reserve Series IX

The Repeal Reserve series from Ross & Squibb (previously MGP) celebrates the passing of the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution on December 5, 1933, which repealed prohibition and allowed alcohol consumption and sales again in the United States. This is an annual release, and we're looking specifically at the ninth edition, which was bottled in 2025.

This Indiana-distilled bourbon is a batch that contains several vintages and a couple of different mashbills:

44% 2015-distilled bourbon with a mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley (roughly 10 years old)
26% 2014-distilled bourbon with a mashbill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley (roughly 11 years old)
23% 2015-distilled bourbon with a mashbill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley (roughly 10 years old)
7% 2006-distilled bourbon with a mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley (roughly 19 years old)

Based on those proportions of the different components, this bourbon is about 11 years old on average, and it has a derived mashbill of roughly 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley, making this a 'high-rye' bourbon. It's bottled at a strength of 52% ABV (104 proof) as well; despite the good specs, though, this still comes in at a reasonable price just over $70. So, could this be a good value find in today's market of overinflated bourbon prices?

Remus Repeal Reserve Series IX

USA - Bourbon

Price: USD 73 (2026)

Age Statement: 10 Years

Strength: 52% ABV

Details: Distilled 2006, 2014 and 2015; bottled 2025

Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 2 months; bottles at 100%, 90%, and 80% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a nosing glass each time, rested 15+ minutes

Nose: Black pepper, leather, oak, slightly nutty - that drying oak is definitely showing on the nose. There are some subtle fruit flavors of orange peel, tangy stone fruit, just a hint of plum; then it's licorice and a whiff of tobacco, maybe some absinthe and white grape. At times, we got light vanilla and floral scents.

Palate: Leather and lots of orange peel, a bit of cinnamon and brown sugar; it's warm and leans a little bit dry overall. We do get more fruit like white grape, even Champagne wine; then it's fennel, tobacco, and hints of anise. A bit peppery and oaky in general, and this has a medium thickness mouthfeel.

Finish: Light vanilla pods, grape skins, peppery, licorice - lots of baking spice, still a bit dry. Dark brown sugar, nutmeg, and strong clove notes add more baking flavors, and we get subtle tobacco leaf and toasted oak in the aftertaste. It's a little mild and rounded off overall, and this finish has a medium length.

Final Note: A solid bourbon, one that leaned heavily into notes of leather, baking spice, and a bit of sharp fruit, especially oranges. There are some interesting nuances to this flavor profile, but overall, it did feel almost too cohesive and rounded - not boring, but a little bit mild at times. It does have some nice flavors, though, and we really enjoyed the licorice notes - solid stuff, well-made.

Value on this bottle of bourbon is pretty good, well above average. Based on the flavor you get in the bottle, we think this is a good buy; when you take into account the age and proof, we think it's hard to pass up.

Our Rating: 6.9 / 10

In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.

Value Rating: 6.54

About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.