Sagamore Rye “Rye Hard” – Central Arkansas Bourbon & Banter x Warehouse Liquor Market Barrel Pick

Last Updated on December 10, 2025 by 5e2793

Just in time for the holidays, Central Arkansas Bourbon & Banter has teamed up with Warehouse Liquor Market to deliver a bold rye barrel pick that fits perfectly in a Christmas stocking — or a Glencairn.

Dubbed “Rye Hard,” this private selection is a Sagamore 9-Year-Old Rye bottled at a hearty 110 proof, offering rye lovers in Arkansas another standout club pick to close out the year strong.

As posted by Henry Turner on December 10th, the collaboration highlights what the Central Arkansas whiskey community does best: pairing great juice with great people.

Barrel Pick Details

• Distillery: Sagamore Spirit
• Whiskey Type: Straight Rye Whiskey
• Age: 9 Years
• Proof: 110 (55% ABV)
• Price: $79.99
• Pick Name: Rye Hard
• Selected By: Central Arkansas Bourbon & Banter
• Retail Partner: Warehouse Liquor Market
• “In” Post: Thursday, December 11
• Pickup Begins: Friday, December 12

At 9 years old and bottled well above standard proof, Rye Hard is positioned squarely for fans of bold, spice-forward rye with depth and maturity.

A Holiday Pick with Personality

The pick announcement leaned into the holiday spirit with a little pop-culture flair:

“As we get together with friends and family, what better way to celebrate the holidays than over a good dram… ‘Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs…’” — John McClane

Whether you consider Die Hard a Christmas movie or not, there’s no debating that a high-proof rye shared with friends makes the season better.

About Sagamore Spirit – History & Ownership

Sagamore Spirit is one of the most respected modern rye whiskey producers in the United States, deeply tied to Maryland’s historic rye tradition.

Roots in Maryland Rye

Rye whiskey once dominated American whiskey production, and Maryland rye was known for being slightly sweeter and more approachable than its Pennsylvania (Monongahela) counterpart. Sagamore Spirit was founded to revive that lost legacy.

Founding & Vision

Sagamore Spirit was established in 2013 with a mission to restore Maryland rye whiskey to national prominence. The distillery is located on the Baltimore waterfront, near the historic Sagamore Farm.

Ownership

Sagamore Spirit is privately owned by Kevin Plank, the founder of Under Armour, and his investment group.

• Kevin Plank is a Baltimore native with deep ties to the region
• His ownership emphasized:
  • Long-term aging programs
  • Transparency in blending and sourcing
  • Investment in Maryland whiskey heritage

Before their own distillate came of age, Sagamore Spirit became well-known for expertly blended rye whiskeys, using high-quality sourced rye while laying down barrels for the future.

Today, Sagamore produces both Maryland-distilled rye and carefully crafted blends, with many releases pushing into higher age statements — like this 9-year barrel pick.

Why This Pick Matters

For Arkansas whiskey fans, Rye Hard checks several important boxes:

• ✅ 9-year age statement
• ✅ Barrel-strength-leaning proof
• ✅ Respected rye producer
• ✅ Club-selected, not shelf stock
• ✅ Sub-$80 pricing for premium rye

This is the kind of bottle that appeals to:

• Rye enthusiasts
• Fans of spice-forward whiskey
• Collectors of Arkansas barrel picks
• Anyone looking for a holiday bottle that drinks big

Final Thoughts

With Rye Hard, Central Arkansas Bourbon & Banter and Warehouse Liquor Market continue to show why Arkansas remains one of the most active and passionate barrel-pick states in the region.

Big rye spice, mature oak, holiday timing, and a strong community behind it — this one won’t sit long.

As Henry put it:

“It’s a good day to get that whiskey…”