King of the Bootleggers
By 1921 George Remus is a former pharmacist, a very successful lawyer and now “King of the Bootleggers”, having purchased many well-known distilleries including the W. P. Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Remus’ short lived success was due to finding a loophole in the Volstead Act which allowed him to buy distilleries and pharmacies to produce and sell bonded liquor for medicinal purposes under government licenses. His employees would then hijack his own liquor trucks so that he could sell it illegally. By 1925 Prohibition enforcement caught up to Remus and he was sentenced to 2 years in the Atlanta State Penitentiary famous for incarcerating gangsters, politicians, public officials and fraudsters. Atlanta State was also well known for its warden who was getting paid by its wealthy inmates in return for preferential treatment. Such as easy work details, special meals, and in some cases unsupervised weekend passes. Despite the special treatment, things only get worse for Remus.
A Federal agent named Franklin Dodge is initially sent to the Atlanta State Penitentiary to investigate the warden. When he gets there, Dodge’s assignment changes when he is told to get more information about Remus’ operation and those involved. Remus is more than willing to cooperate but negotiations aren’t going his way. In a desperate attempt, Remus asks his wife, Imogene to befriend Dodge in order to convince him to make a deal. While being interviewed Remus tells Dodge that Imogene has complete power of Attorney over his estate. Instead of reporting this information to the bureau, Dodge hooks up with Imogene, and together they liquidate all of Remus’ assets. The duo also attempts to get Remus deported and hires a hit man to have Remus murdered. In return, the hit man double crosses the couple for fear of his own life and reports this scheme to Remus.
Now out of prison and heading to court to finalize divorce proceedings in 1927, Remus has his driver chase Imogene’s cab through Eden Park (Cincinnati) and forces the cab off the road where it finally comes to a stop near the Gazebo. Imogene flees but George finally catches up to her, grabs her wrist and fatally shoots Imogene in the chest in front of her daughter and park onlookers. Imogene is brought to the hospital by a bystander and dies two hours later. In Remus’ famous murder trial, he claims “transitory insanity” (which Remus used during his legal career, known today as “temporary insanity”). It takes a whole 19 minutes for the jury to acquit him. Remus is committed to an insane asylum but is freed after 7 months using the prosecution’s three well-known psychiatrists claim that he was not insane, in order to stand trial in the first place. From there George Remus retires from bootlegging and lives out the rest of his life in Covington Kentucky.
George Remus
Imogene Remus
Eden Park Gazebo
George Remus’ Comeback
In November 2016 MGP expanded their core business of supplying other brand owners with their spirits and purchases the George Remus brand from Queen City Whiskey LLC in Cincinnati, to create their own portfolio. In 2021 MGP acquired and merged with Luxco Spirits. Through this deal, Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and rebranded itself as Ross & Squib Distillery, which includes George Remus and Rossville Union. The “Ross” refers to George Ross who founded the Rossville Distillery in 1847 on what is now MGP’s current campus. “Squibb” refers to the Squibb distillery founded in 1869 which Remus purchased in 1921. Let’s dig in!
Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested about 15 minutes.
Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery/MGP sourced.
Proof: 114.2
Age: 6 Years
Mash bill: 60% Corn/ 36% Rye/ 4% Malted Barley.
Price: $67.
Appearance: Golden amber.
Nose
It’s no surprise the overall nose on this high rye bourbon is herbal forward. But along with herbal notes of sage, dill and some mint, are sweet toffee notes to go along with them. With that are some fruitier notes of apricot and berries with vanilla and some lemon citrus. There is also a good balance of rich oak and baking spice. The nose gets a bit sweeter with more of a butterscotch note as time goes by. This pour is off to a great start.
Palate
The mouthfeel is nice and viscous. The nose transfers very well to the palate with rich caramel, toffee and lots of herbal notes upfront. Green tea, sage, dill, apricot, vanilla and still getting that hint of lemon citrus. A nice balance of peppery spice kicks in covering the palate but doesn’t take away from the other notes. The balance of oak is very good too, and might have you believe this barrel was older than its 6 years. This is a very easy and delicious sipper.
Finish
Baking spice lingers over the palate for a very long time with herbal notes, vanilla and hints of stone fruit. As the spice calms down there is a very tasty oak note that stays more “woody” than say, tannins of leather or tobacco. Towards the end of the finish, oak becomes even more subtle while spice still lingers for a medium long finish.
Conclusion
This George Remus single barrel has exceeded my expectations with another very good pick by Jay West. I love this bourbons herbal, rye forward profile that stays firmly planted in the bourbon lane with delicious notes of rich caramel and stone fruit. I also love its proof point which makes it bold enough to elevate its flavors, yet still very approachable as a solid easy drinking sipper (or for a pretty good bourbon Manhattan). I can’t speak for the George Remus flagship 47% ABV bourbon, but this a great single barrel that I’ve been consistently impressed with every time I reach for it.
Rating: 7.3/10
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
