Old Wm. Tarr Manchester Reserve is a Kentucky straight blended whiskey released in 2020 by Wm. Tarr Distillery in Lexington. It combines 8-year-old rye whiskey (51% rye, 37% corn, 12% barley) with 7-year-old bourbon (75% corn, 13% rye, 12% barley), both sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery. Bottled at 114 proof (57% ABV), the 750 ml release retails for $79.95. This inaugural product from the revived Wm. Tarr brand features a bottle design inspired by 19th-century Old Tarr packaging.
Both the palate and finish were wonderful with deep and rich notes. The rye spice on the finish is a nice surprise and was a bit unexpected, as the nose and palate weren’t as rye forward.
More than anything else, these W. M. Tarr Manchester Reserve bottlings showcase skillful blending, a knack for knowing what the customer and consumer want, and how to successfully market a blended bourbon for a wide audience.
