Fort Mose 1738 Rye Whiskey Review

Distillery: Victor George Spirits—Davie, FL

Proof: 110.0 (55.0% ABV)

Age: Four Years (Inaugural Release)

Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

MSRP: $56

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Who Are They

When I reviewed , I was struck by its ability to capture the spirit of that defines the story of Fort Mosé. With Fort Mose 1738 Straight Rye Whiskey, Victor George Spirits aims to continue honoring this incredible history while showcasing the bold, spiced character of rye.

In 1738, Governor Manuel de Montiano y Sopelano (the name just rolls off the tongue) arrived in Florida and established Fort Mosé (MO-say), the first free black settlement legally sanctioned in what would become the United States.  Escaped slaves who arrived at Fort Mosé, embraced Catholicism and were baptized with Christian names could start new lives as free men and women.

Victor George Spirits pays homage to the rich history of Fort Mosé 1738 series of expressions.  Harvey, an African American spirits maker, not only crafted the whiskey in collaboration with MGP, but he donates a portion of sales to the Fort Mosé Historical Society, helping to preserve the historical site.

In late 2022, Victor George Spirits completed the acquisition of Palm Beach Distillery and now handles all aspects of their spirits’ production process.

Fort Mose 1738 Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 1/5

The Nose is underwhelming.  It’s not that the Nose is unpleasant, but the notes are so faint that it’s a struggle to find much at all. A very light hint of vanilla and char comes through, accompanied by an understated note of baked apples.

Palate – 3/5

On the Palate, the rye spice shines, offering cracked black pepper and a huge burst of cinnamon heat. As the initial burst of spiciness mellows, toffee and brown sugar make a brief appearance before quickly retreating and leaving you wanting more from this expression.  The mouthfeel is warm and full-bodied, which is a redeeming quality.

Finish – 1.5/5

The Finish is short and thin.  While there are some fruity notes–think green apples—and a touch of dark chocolate, the overall impression feels incomplete. A faint herbal notes adds some slight complexity toward the end but the Finish remains lackluster.

Value – 2/5

With a $56 MSRP, Fort Mose 1738 Straight Rye Whiskey coupled with the bold spice on the Palate makes for a decent Value if you can find it retail.  If ordered online, the $10+ shipping cost reduces the appeal.

If you give Fort Mose 1738 Straight Rye Whiskey a try or have tried it in the past, we’d love for you to join in the conversation.  Please post a comment on this post or drop me a note to mike@bourboninspector.com

Fort Mose 1738 Rye Whiskey Review: The Verdict

Fort Mose 1738 Straight Rye Whiskey pays tribute to a remarkable and significant time in our nation’s history which makes me want to love it.  However, this Inaugural Release whiskey doesn’t yet live up the standard of its bourbon sibling.  I’m hopeful for future releases, as the story behind the whiskey deserves a worthy expression.

Verdict – 2/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3