Beverly Spirits recently expanded their portfolio with a “big brother” of sorts to its original release. We previously reviewed their first offering, Beverly High Rye, and found that it offered a unique and balanced blend of whiskies from two distilleries. The Beverly Reserve, the sophomore release, was again crafted in collaboration with Cedar Ridge Distillery in Iowa. Beverly Spirits utilizes a unique blend of straight rye and straight bourbon from Iowa and Indiana, but The Beverly Reserve offers consumers a “Bour-Rye” at barrel strength. You can find all the details on The Beverly Reserve in the press release from October 2023 on Bourbon Lens. And for more details on Beverly Spirits, their founder Andrew Borenzweig, and the creation of his whiskies, check out Episode 262 of Bourbon Lens podcast.
About The Beverly Reserve American Whiskey:
- Style: American Whiskey
- Mashbill: Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskey (60%) and Straight Rye Whiskey (40%)
- Proof: 116 (58% ABV)
- Distilled in Iowa and Indiana
- Batch: 1
- Age: NAS
- Price: $79.99
- Availability: Batch 1 may be sold out but Batch 2 is hitting now. More details on how to find a bottle are at the bottom of this post.
Scott’s Tasting Notes: Beverly Reserve
Nose: lemon oil, raspberry, vanilla, and toasted cedar spills
Palate: a rush of vanilla and cake doughnut, a viscous mouthfeel, fresh brewed sweet tea, and a rich maltiness (reminds me of high malt bourbons such as Boulder Spirits Cask Strength Bourbon).
Finish: rich, black tea notes linger, and this one definitely drinks and finishes way lower that it’s proof.
Jake’s Tasting Notes: Beverly Reserve
Nose: Fruit forward with notes of peach, coconut, caramel, hints of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Palate: This reminds me of Christmas Pecans dusted with cinnamon sugar. Very nutty, vanilla and caramel flavors. It follows up with notes with black tea and citrus.
Finish: Long lingering black tea and citrus. The finish was my favorite part of this whiskey.
Closing Thoughts
I said in the review of the original Beverly High Rye, “It’s 96 proof, full of flavor, and SRP is sixty bucks.” And after tasting this Barrel Strength offering, my new lasting impression is that “it’s 116 proof, full of flavor, and is eighty bucks!” Beverly Spirits decision to bring a barrel strength bottling to market was a great one. This is yet another well balanced blend of straights. If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path and sure to turn some heads, find yourself a bottle of The Beverly Reserve while you still can. Head to their website beverlyhighrye.com for more details on the brand and the product page to find your bottle. The Reserve is available at select retailers, bars, restaurants and hotels in California, Tennessee and New York. This also includes retailers such as Erewhon in Los Angeles and Corkdorks in Nashville. Use their product finder to find your bottle.
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