Disaronno Group-backed Sagamore Whiskey has brought its flagship high-rye Bourbon to the UK for the first time.
Sagamore High Rye Straight Bourbon joined Sagamore’s core range this summer
Sagamore High Rye Straight Bourbon is available now at The Whisky Exchange, online and in store, priced at £44.95 (US$60) per 700ml bottle – with a rollout at The Whisky Shop planned for October.
The first Bourbon to be produced at Sagamore Distillery in Baltimore is said to ‘pay homage to Kentucky’s Bourbon heritage while celebrating and advancing Maryland-style whiskey traditions’.
It is made with a mash bill of 60% corn, 25% rye and 15% malted rye, aged for six years in charred new American oak barrels and bottled at 43% ABV.
The result is described as reminiscent of vanilla, hazelnuts, toffee and dried fruits with hints of orange peel and a long, warming finish.
Sagamore High Rye Straight Bourbon was initially launched in limited quantities in Maryland in October 2025, followed by a nationwide US release in July this year.
Ryan Norwood, master distiller of Sagamore Whiskey, said: “This High Rye Straight Bourbon is something we’ve been eager to share nationwide – a whiskey crafted for those who enjoy both Bourbon and rye flavours that makes for a memorable pour. We’re thrilled to share this release with whiskey fans who appreciate something truly distinctive.”
Sagamore began producing ‘Maryland-style’ rye whiskey in 2013, using locally grown non-GMO grain.
Rye has been grown in Maryland since at least the 17th century, when newcomers to the region found it easier to cultivate in the changeable coastal climate than wheat or barley, which gave rise to a local tradition of distilling rye whiskey.
After declining in the 20th century, due in part to the impact of Prohibition in the US, producers including Sagamore have sought to resurrect the style, celebrating its ‘defining role in the early rise of cocktail culture and American drinking history’.
Sagamore Whiskey moved to a ‘state-of-the-art’ distillery on the Baltimore waterfront in 2017.
In 2023, Italian drinks company Disaronno Group acquired a majority stake in the brand for an undisclosed sum.
In September last year, Sagamore launched its oldest expression to date, a 10-year-old straight rye whiskey.
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