2020

Bib & Tucker 6-Year-Old Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Bib & Tucker 6-Year-Old
Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

Batch No. 22 | Bottle No. 59796
46% ABV
$40-$50
Website
Bib and Tucker 6yr Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Like the 1880s that inspired it, boldness and refinement come together to create a bourbon that’s meant to be raised in celebration. Aged for a minimum of 6 years in low char white oak barrels produces unparalleled smoothness. This harmony makes it easy to enjoy from the front of the mouth to the back. Worthy of any occasion, you pick the moment and this award-winning small batch bourbon will make it.

Taste profile
Aroma – leads with a scent of strong vanilla and sweet hay. And is accented by a whiff of sandalwood and mace.
Taste – a smooth entry, the bourbon is nicely balanced with a hint of pecan pie sweetness. It fulfills the promise of its nose before evolving into a warm, rich, spicy sensation.
Finish – coats the palate with a complex, yet balanced and long-lasting chestnut finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla cream frosting, coffee cake, fall leaves, vitamins/mineral note, touch of sour oak and molasses.
Palate:  Vanilla, maple candies, baking spices, praline, black cherry and mixed berries.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with notes of vitamins, cherries and oak.
Comments:  While not disclosed, this is almost certainly distilled by Dickel.  The notes of vitamins/minerals on the nose and finish are a classic presentation of their house style.  That said, this is definitely different from Dickel TN Whisky.  Nice balance of sweetness with some spice notes, and really opens up with a few drops of water.  The bottle is unique and interesting.  While I personally prefer clear glass to showcase the color of the whisk(e)y, this definitely has that ‘antique feel’ (and by the way, the color of this whiskey is lovely, and darker than I would have guessed for its age).  If you’re a fan of Dickel, I think you’ll definitely like this (and if you haven’t been a fan of Dickel in the past, I wouldn’t immediately discount this – maybe try a pour at a local watering hole).

Rating: Stands Out

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Redemption Rye (2020)

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey /

Redemption Rye

46% ABV
$30
Website
Redemption Rye
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Your first sip of Redemption Rye is more than just a sip, it’s a discovery of rye’s beautifully complex flavors. With a rye content of 95%, well past the 51% required to be considered rye, we’ve recreated the classic American whiskey that ruled our glasses before Prohibition. It brings you the bold taste of genuine rye spice with hints of floral and citrus. While delightful on its own, a slight mint finish makes it ideal for creating distinctive cocktails such as a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.

Nose: Big and spicy, toasted oak, vegetal notes, allspice and anise.
Palate: Beautiful Rye spice with light floral and citrus notes along with dark spices and black pepper.
Finish: Slight mint finish makes this great for sipping or mixing in a classic cocktail.

TECH DATA
Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Min age of 2 years old (average age of 2.5 years)

What Gary Says

Nose:  Fistful of fresh dill, orange zest with a hint of lemon creeping in, mint, anise.
Palate:  Rounded mouthfeel with blood orange and vanilla, spice notes sharpen with allspice, mint, anise and a bit of clove.
Finish:  Moderately long, damp with mint and anise trailing.
Comments:  BIG rye on the nose, which I quite like.  A great cocktail rye.  Again, I don’t have the previous version for comparison (and in fact this is the same mash bill, so what Richard reviewed in 2014 might not be different in any meaningful way). I have found that I enjoy rye at under 4 yrs old a lot more than bourbon of a similar age. This has that classic MGP notes, although I didn’t get as much pepper as I sometimes do. Appreciate the mash bill transparency, and the higher ABV. While it doesn’t need it, this one takes a bit of water well – thickening a bit (reminding me a bit of a non-chill filtered whiskey, although no indication that is the case). Of the three standard Redemption whiskies, this one is by far my favorite.

Rating: Stands Out

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Redemption High Rye Bourbon (2020)

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Redemption High Rye Bourbon

46% ABV
$30
Website
Redemption High Rye Bourbon
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

When we say “High Rye” we mean it. Redemption High Rye Bourbon has 36% rye content, significantly higher than comparable bourbons. The result is a unique combination of flavors led by the subtle sweetness of classic bourbon and punctuated by robust notes of rye spice. Light hits of vanilla and caramel round out its ‘rye-forward’ flavor and help make it ideal for sipping or creating a classic cocktail. If you’re looking for a bold bourbon, you’ve found it.

Nose: Light vanilla, red berry fruitiness and a light hint of oak.
Palate: Spicy, woody, and minty notes. Fennel-like notes of light licorice and black pepper from the Rye.
Finish: Long and smooth with a nice spice from the high Rye content.

TECH DATA
Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Min age of 2 years old (average age of 2.5 years)

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, roasted corn, herbal spices of fennel and mint, toasted oak.
Palate:  Cherries with cinnamon and nutmeg, light caramel and vanilla, a bit of anise and pepper.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with caramel, cherry and a spice kick.
Comments:  I’m a fan of rye whiskey, and high-rye mash bills.  They’re right that 36% is significantly higher rye than most bourbons (Beam’s high rye is allegedly less than 30%; the high rye mash at Four Roses is 35%), and I appreciate the transparency on the recipe. For my tastes, this was a step up from Redemption Bourbon, albeit a small step.  I do appreciate the higher ABV, and while the corn isn’t as prominent – this came across as young.  I think with more age on it, this has some nice potential.  I don’t have a bottle of the previous versions of Redemption High-Rye Bourbon (which Richard reviewed back in 2013) to compare against. The mash bill is slightly different, and the packaging is more so.  I do like the new packaging for reasons I can’t really articulate (just looks more like ‘classic bourbon’ to me, where the former bottle looked like it was designed for vodka).

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Redemption Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Redemption Bourbon

42% ABV
$30
Website
Redemption Bourbon
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

A truly easy-drinking whiskey distinguished by its subtle ‘rye forward’ flavor. Handcrafted in the mold of classic American bourbons, it has a well-balanced sweetness highlighted by notes of vanilla and caramel. We’ve also pushed the Rye content up to 21% giving it a light, but distinct hint of spice. You’d be quite happy enjoying it on the rocks, but it also mixes easily, making it a great cocktail bourbon.

Nose: Caramel with just a touch of spice and hints of over-ripe bananas.
Palate: Dusty wood, toffee, cola nut, and baking spice dominate with nuanced anise and black pepper.
Finish: Smooth with a sweet and spicy balance between corn and cracked pepper.

TECH DATA
Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Min age of 2 years old (average age of 2.5 years)

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, buttered sweet corn, vanilla, slight note of oak.
Palate:  Sweet caramel, vanilla, bit of toffee, corn, cola and baking spices.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, slightly drying with corn and subtle pepper spice.
Comments:  Very easy to drink. The cola note is interesting, and not one I recall getting before (or maybe I did but didn’t identify it). Nicely balanced bourbon. Nothing objectionable, although clearly a young bourbon. I do appreciate their providing the mash bill.

Rating: Average

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Grangestone Sherry Cask Finish

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Grangestone Sherry Cask Finish
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$30
Website
Grangestone Sherry Cask

What the Producer Says

The Grangestone Single Malt Scotch Whisky range offers a selection of some of the finest Single Malts available from the Highlands of Scotland. Each spirit is chosen by our Malt Master for its quality and character to be symbolic of whiskies of this region.

Grangestone truly is a perfect example of a whisky from the Highland region of Scotland.

This Grangestone Single Malt has been matured in traditional American oak casks until it has achieved the perfect balance of flavours, green leafy notes play in harmony with its sweet delicate oak flavour.
The whisky is then transferred into casks that have previously held Sherry to allow for further development.

Aroma: A rich malty aroma with subtle notes of dried fruits and cinnamon sticks. The sherry cask influence has introduced a sherbet spice and oaky character.
Taste: Rich and spicy with layers of sweet oak, raisins, apricots and fresh oak. Addition of a little water releases the characteristic flavours of sherry cask.
Finish: Mellow and enduring.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Fruity, almost brandy-like, grapes, green apples, hint of an earthy note.
Palate:  Thin, sour apple candy notes, grapes, bit of pepper at the back.
Finish:  Short and drying with grapes and pepper.
Comments:  Another non-age stated whisky that I again approached with low expectations – and like the Rum Cask Finish fell short of that low bar. I love sherry matured and finished spirits, but this doesn’t remind me of any of them. Again, thankful it is offered in 50mL and if you’re just dying to try this – would highly recommend buying that size before a full bottle.

Rating: Probably Pass

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