SirDavis Rye Whiskey - Review
Beyoncé, the global music icon, has ventured into the world of spirits with the launch of SirDavis, a premium rye whisky that pays homage to her family heritage[1][2]. Named after her paternal great-grandfather Davis Hogue, a farmer and moonshiner during Prohibition, SirDavis represents a blend of Beyoncé's Southern roots and her sophisticated taste in spirits[4][5].
The creation of SirDavis was a collaborative effort between Beyoncé and Moët Hennessy, with renowned Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden at the helm[2][5]. The whisky features a unique mash bill of 51% rye and 49% malted barley, aiming to capture the robust flavors of American rye while emulating the elegance of Japanese and Scotch whiskies[3].
SirDavis undergoes a two-stage maturation process, first in American oak barrels and then finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks[5]. This secondary maturation imparts notes of dark red fruits and spices, resulting in a silky, sophisticated profile[3].
The brand's aesthetic reflects Beyoncé's artistic vision, with a striking bottle design featuring a black medallion bearing a bronzed horse, symbolizing strength and her Texas heritage[2][3]. Launched in September 2024, SirDavis aims to appeal to both whisky connoisseurs and newcomers, embodying Beyoncé's mission to invite more people to experience the confidence that quality whisky can inspire[4][5].
Review:
Nose: This is actually a pretty interesting nose. I get cordial cherries almost immediately and then an absolute wave of that barley. The malt really comes through here and it makes sense as to the partnership that Beyonce made with Bill Lumsden (He also worked with Ardbeg and Glenmorangie, powerhouses in the scotch world). I also get caramel on the back end with a honey graham cracker finish. The barley dominates here. Not a bad thing that paired with the sherry cask finish overpowers the rye.
Palate: For this being an 88 proof whiskey, the mouth feel has some viscosity to it. It sits really nicely on the tongue and is not as light as some other 85-90 proof whiskey’s drink. I presume the sherry cask helps a bit with that. However, this is very sweet. It is incredibly jammy and has notes of blackberry and concord grapes. Definitely a dessert whiskey (in my opinion) and I could see this being a crowd-pleaser for many.
Finish: Very little finish. It is not “Sweet Honey Buckiin” by any means. Sorry, had to. It almost immediately goes away. With the finish that it has, the caramel and sherry notes shine through here and the rye really does not bring the typical spice that the grain does in other variants. It leaves a light barley taste on the tongue after the sip but otherwise is a very neutral spirit with little ethanol to be found (which again, many will love.)
Overall: 72. This is a solid whiskey. I really don’t have many gripes with it. It hits the flavors I think that Beyonce and Bill Lumsden were aiming for. It is sweet, it has a bit of scotch notes which I think will surprise many, and is completely inoffensive. If this bottle was $50 or if this came out 7-8 years ago, I truly believe this would be much more difficult to find. The market has changed since then and there are many competitors who are more competitively priced or offer more for the money at this price point. While if you are Beyonce fan, I can’t necessarily turn you away from this. It is a pleasant sip, has 2-3 discernable notes, and is lower proof for anyone to enjoy or make into a luxurious cocktail. If you are looking for something like this, try Isaac Bowman Port Finished ($40 MSRP) or if you want something with a ton more flavor and punch, Sagamore Rye Sherry Finish runs about $75 and is 106 proof with layers of flavor.
Value: 25/100; (-5 on the overall) At it’s $89.99 MSRP, it is incredibly expensive. I would find many of Sir Davis’ competitors to be sitting around the $40-$55 range. However, I cannot deny that this bottle is gorgeous and I am sure quite a bit of money went to design it.
Availability: Accessible. You should not have too much difficulty finding this in your market.
Citations:
[1] https://whiskyadvocate.com/Beyonce-Sir-Davis-Whiskey
[2] https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/travel-dining/a61916656/beyonce-sir-davis-whiskey-launch-review-2024/
[3] https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-styles/american-whiskey/the-complete-rundown-on-beyonces-new-sirdavis-whisky/
[4] https://www.sirdavis.com/our-story
[5] https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelking/2024/08/20/inside-beyonces-new-whisky-with-moet-hennessy-sirdavis/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54nWP4wCkVw
[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/1fd75su/review_sir_davis_beyonc%C3%A9s_rye/
[8] https://www.billboard.com/culture/product-recommendations/sirdavis-whisky-review-cocktail-guide-beyonce-1235766999/