Redemption “High Rye” Bourbon (Batch #1), 46%, $25
Aged “over 2 years” and with over 38% rye in the mashbill (high for bourbon). It’s fresh, youthful, and brisk, with sweet corn, bright fruit, brittle mint, cinnamon, and a dusting of cocoa, leading to a slightly aggressive finish. A bit too youthful, actually, for sipping—it would benefit from a few more years aging. Save this one for your next manhattan. Its sibling, Redemption Rye (of similar age) fares better. (I rated it an 84.) — John Hansell
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 78
So, is that 2 years & 1 month?
I just saw where the latest edition of The Tasting Panel gave this a…are you ready?…whopping 93 points!!
John, what could you possibly have missed on this one? :>D
I had a bottle and really liked it. They do a good job at ldi I think. Sam, be careful what you read.
Sam, it tastes like a high rye bourbon that’s barely over two years old. One of the informal criteria use to rate something an 80 is “would I enjoy drinking this neat?” My answer: no. It’s just too young. With all due respect, Thomas and I come from two different perspectives when it comes from very young whiskeys given that he makes and sells whiskeys younger than this one.
Thanks for the heads up on this one. Having enjoyed their rye, I was coming close to taking the plunge on the bourbon.
I agree with your rating John. I was trying to tell Sam be careful what he reads elsewhere.
I liked it. But in truth it really is good only as a mixer. For the price point you can pick up Bulleit’s Rye and probably enjoy it more.
[...] I do agree with John Hansell that Redemption’s High-Rye Bourbon is “youthful.” Though while he suggests the bourbon would benefit from a few more years of aging, I’d like to think that one of the things I enjoy most about it is its very youthfulness. That burn, the bite: when it hits, it hits intensely and I enjoy its vibrancy, especially before sitting down to a heavy, pasta-based dinner. That said, if you’re looking for a more mature, after-dinner drink, go with something that has a little more age. [...]