Bourbon

Redemption High Rye Bourbon (2020)

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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

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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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Virgin Bourbon

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Virgin Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50.5% ABV
$15
Virgin Bourbon

What the Bottle Says

This is distilled by Heaven Hill, but isn’t mentioned on their web-site – so here’s what the bottle says (beyond the name).

Rare 101 Proof
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Charcoal Filtered
Bottled in Kentucky by Meadowland Distilling Co. Bardstown, Kentucky
An Old-Fashioned Sour Mash Bourbon Distilled in the foothills of Kentucky. Charcoal Filtered to give every drop that Olde Mellow flavor.
This rare whiskey has been bottled at a full 101 Proof. Rich . . . Robust and Hearty . . . it is American’s finest bourbon.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich caramel, vanilla, honey, oak and smoke, cut hay, dried cherries, cinnamon with a hint of anise and clove.
Palate:  Sweet with caramel and vanilla, oak, a bit of brown sugar, cinnamon, clove and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long with spices and oak.
Comments:  This is a pretty limited distribution product (mainly in North Carolina), and until 2019 was age stated at 7 years. For an under $20 bottle, this is a damn solid bourbon. And I really like the bottle & label! It has a nice texture with some of the lettering embossed/raised, that just has that classic bottling feel. I was gifted a sample in either late 2019 or early 2020, but picked up a non-age stated bottle while in Ashville just to be certain (and if the sample was of the age stated version, at least this batch hasn’t changed significantly). I decided to do a blind side-by-side with some Wild Turkey 101 (also non-age stated) which I am a fan of, and this was a bit sweeter by comparison and actually had a bit of a longer finish. If you’re even going through North Carolina (or live there but have avoided this as a ‘bottom shelfer’), I’d definitely give it a try.

Rating: Stands Out; Great Value

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Wheel Horse Bourbon

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Wheel Horse Bourbon Batch 1
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50.5% ABV
$28-32
Website
Wheel Horse Bourbon
We would like to thank Wheel Horse Whiskey and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

This sour mash, small batch whiskey is made from 70% corn, 21% rye and 9% malted barley. It’s distilled in copper stills then matured in hand-selected, 53-gallon, charred American oak barrels for between two and four years. We use a #4 char. Like all of our small batch whiskeys, Wheel Horse Bourbon is bottled at 101 proof and without chill filtration.

Wheel Horse is distilled and matured at Owensboro Distilling (formerly O.Z. Tyler) in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Tasting Notes: A rich and spicy Bourbon with notes of maple syrup, cherry, pecan and toasted oak.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, caramel, corn flakes, charred oak, hint of maple candies.
Palate:  Rich sweetness, caramel, cherries, vanilla, cinnamon and pepper spice bite with notes of maple syrup.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, damp with caramel and pepper spice.
Comments:  This is a dark bourbon for a mix of 2-4 year old whiskey. Fairly oaky for a young whiskey, so I’d guess this was aged pretty high in the rick house. A tad sharp, although takes water well which brings out a bit of chocolate and more cherry. Appreciate the non-chill filtration, which does give it a nice rich mouthfeel. Makes a solid Old Fashioned if you enjoy that sorta thing.

Rating: Stands Out

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Yellowstone 2020 Limited Edition

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Yellowstone 2020 Limited Edition
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Finished in Armagnac Casks

50.5% ABV
$100
Website
Yellowstone 2020 Limited Edition
We would like to thank Limestone Branch and Common Ground PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Producer Says

The 2020 edition of Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon will be on shelves in September, just in time for National Bourbon Heritage Month. This year’s edition features a seven-year-old straight bourbon finished in French Armagnac barrels. The new release brings a soft leather aroma with hints of honeydew melon, vanilla notes on the palate with hints of burnt orange and dried plum. The finish is toasted coconut with lingering oak making for a well-rounded, deeply satisfying bourbon.

“When I began working on this limited edition, I knew I wanted to finish our bourbon in a cask and I was looking for one that would add complexity and a dimension that expands the flavor profile,” says Steve Beam, master distiller at Limestone Branch Distillery. “Armagnac is a rustic, full-bodied spirit that contributes dark fruit notes, complementing the vanilla notes in the bourbon. Just like a chef adds spices to enhance flavors, I believe cask-finishing should be similar, where it simply enhances the natural flavors in the bourbon.”

Beam also notes that the French brandy, which uses several different grape varietals each with their own flavors and characteristics, creates a rich flavor and packs a bit more punch than cognacs.

The 2020 Yellowstone Limited Edition also boasts a stunning new bottle, which feels timeless and vintage, similar to Yellowstone Bourbon, which has been around since 1872. The new premium bottle, designed by David Cole, also highlights the year more prominently for collectors.

Approximately 5,000 cases of this bourbon are being produced at Limestone Branch Distillery, bottled at 101 proof in 750ml bottles. The suggested retail price is $99.99.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, leather, oak, fudge, subtle notes of cinnamon baked apples, floral with a hint of brandy.
Palate:  Vanilla, honey, orange zest, slight pepper bite, nutmeg and apricot.
Finish:  Moderately long with oak, cinnamon and vanilla fudge trailing.
Comments:  The Armagnac finish is subtle on the nose, a bit more pronounced on the palate, but balanced nicely throughout. It definitely adds a nice fruity layer of complexity. The packaging change is also a nice touch for this limited edition. A bit of water tamps the edge on the palate and brings out the fruit notes more. I’ve had the privilege to try samples for the past three Yellowstone Limited Editions, and this might be my favorite (don’t have any left to compare against – I also really liked the 2018). The more of these finishes that are done well (which in my opinion means they’re not too aggressive, and don’t overwhelm the base bourbon), the more I like what they bring to the bourbon party.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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