Remus Repeal Reserve IX Bourbon Whiskey
The Stats
- Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery
- Location: Lawrenceburg, Indiana
- Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Style: Blend
- Age: 10 to 19 years
- Proof: 104 (52% ALC/VOL)
- Mash Bill: 21% Rye Bourbon (from 2006 & 2015) + 36% Rye Bourbon (from 2014 & 2015)
- Release: Fall 2025 (Limited Release)
- Price: $100
CLICK THE VIDEO TO PLAY ↓ 
Remus Repeal Reserve IX continues one of the most respected annual traditions in modern bourbon. Celebrating the end of Prohibition with a pour that blends heritage, precision, and intrigue. The Remus line honors George Remus, the “King of the Bootleggers,” whose empire once made him a millionaire while the rest of America was going dry. Every December 5th, the Repeal Reserve series raises a glass to the day the ban was lifted, and this year’s edition is the boldest yet.
At 104 proof, Series IX is the highest proof to date. Master Blender Ian Stirsman and the team at Ross & Squibb (formerly MGP) assembled two distinct bourbon recipes distilled between 2006 and 2015. A mix of 10 to 19-year-old barrels featuring both the 21% and 36% high-rye mash bills that define the distillery’s style. The result is a whiskey that bridges eras: elegant age on one side, vibrant rye spice on the other.
A Whisper of Heritage
Where Series VIII charmed with dessert sweetness and fruit-forward tones, IX leans darker and more mature. It’s bolder, oakier, and less forgiving. It’s like a 1920s speakeasy with more heavy cigar smoke than jazzy piano notes. It reminds you that “Repeal” wasn’t just a toast; it was a hard-won freedom to taste complexity again.
Tasting Notes
Aroma:
Rich berries at first. Blackberry and raspberry cobbler, followed by oak, tobacco, and cereal grain. As it opens, hints of almond clusters, dark chocolate, and mint tea rise through a dry, spicy backbone.
Taste:
Earthy and layered. Baking spice and dark chocolate dominate early, shifting into bitter orange peel, leather, and a touch of creaminess. The high-rye edge brings a lively kick without overpowering the deeper oak and cocoa tones. Each sip evolves, uncovering mint and subtle fruit beneath the spice.
Finish:
Long and grounding. The chocolate and oak linger, supported by rye spice and a faint bitterness that gives structure rather than bite. A sip that sits with you. Contemplative, not candy-coated.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
7.5 / 10 - Good / Very Good
Remus Repeal Reserve IX is the thinking drinker’s Remus. This one is a drier, oakier, more seasoned take on the series. It trades the confectionery charm of VIII for age, depth, and maturity. Fans of darker, earthier profiles will find it satisfying; those chasing sweetness might prefer earlier editions.
For $100, it stands as a statement blend: complex, serious, and a worthy nod to the repeal that made bourbon’s comeback possible.
If you like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Russell’s Reserve 13, or Old Forester 1920, we think you’ll appreciate the way Remus IX walks the line between bold and refined.
Related Reviews We Think You’ll Enjoy
SOCIAL CLUB: WHISKEY OF THE MONTH Sample Pack Giveaway
We’re giving away a 2oz sample of Remus IX, plus a couple of surprise pours we think you’ll enjoy as a comparative tasting.
Paid Social Club members are automatically entered.
Not a member yet? Join the Social Club for access to exclusive content, monthly giveaways, behind-the-scenes tasting sessions, and our private Discord community. The winner will be announced in the Social Club at the end of the month.
