J. Rieger & Co. Distillery launch exclusive 2024 Monogram Whiskey with a tasting party on June 18
According to co-founder Ryan Maybee, it is “the crown jewel of our whiskey portfolio.”
2024 Monogram Whiskey. // Photo Courtesy of J. Rieger & Co. Distillery
Kansas City’s own J. Rieger & Co. Distillery has announced the release of its 2024 Monogram whiskey. Since 2017, the distillery has produced the limited-edition Monogram whiskey, and for the second consecutive year the style is “Kansas City Whiskey – Solera Reserve.”
Monogram whiskey is their most limited-edition whiskey, with only 2,000 bottles produced this year. According to co-founder Ryan Maybee, it is “the crown jewel of our whiskey portfolio.”
The distillery, specifically Maybee and Master Distiller Nathan Perry, goes through an annual process of selecting sherry botas for this whiskey. While the name is similar to the 2023 batch, experienced palates will note differences due to the complexities of solera aging in botas, or wineskins, from the Jerez region of Spain.
“It cannot be understated how special and rare our sherry botas are,” says Maybee. “Often you will see ‘sherry cask finished’ on a whiskey label, but those are usually made with traditional 53-gallon American oak barrels that are simply conditioned with sherry. We have obtained botas that were used over and over again for 50 to 100 years to actually make the sherry in Jerez de la Frontera. We use these barrels to age and then blend our whiskies, topping off each as we take from them. The result over time is a truly remarkable showcasing of the terroir of each bota and producing a truly beautiful whiskey.”
Previous Monogram whiskies have tasted of clover honey and red fruits. Some had nutty notes of toasted cashews and candied almonds, with hints of dried mint and sage.
This year’s expression claims to taste of buttered popcorn, French toast, and earthy maple. It has aromas of smoke, cedar, and woody tobacco. The palate features flavors of butter pecan, vanilla, and cream soda. It finishes with notes of sea salt and caramel.
If you want to taste this year’s Monogram whiskey, J. Rieger & Co. Distillery is hosting the 2024 Monogram Whiskey Celebration & Tasting on June 18. Led by Maybee, attendees will be able to taste the 2024 edition of Monogram, as well as the 2023 edition, and the 15-year Williams & Humbert Oloroso Sherry. The event costs $65. Guests will also have an opportunity to purchase a 750mL bottle of the 2024 Monogram whiskey at a 20% discount.
