Like a spicy apple pie in a glass. The two flavors are a great pairing, with neither dominating. The apple is mature and caramelized, and the rye is sweet and spicy. Proof is right on for both flavor and mouthfeel. Delicious.
The palate is brawny and robust—it practically eats water—and swells with mint, licorice, root beer, black pepper, baking spice, espresso, and grape Robitussin. The lengthy finish is peppery and rich, with oak, herbs, baking spice, tea leaves, and dark chocolate.
Sagamore Spirit Calvados Finish is my first experience with Calvados, and overall, I’m pleased with the experience. Finishing and barrel aging in general are such funny and fickle things, because the nose is a near 50/50 split of rye and Calvados while the flavors are more like 75/25 split.
The taste has good spicy notes of clove, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg on top of caramel apples, honey, and molasses cookies. The finish is long with hints of caramel apples, subtle spices, and honey.
