Review

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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Grangestone Rum Cask Finish

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Grangestone Rum Cask Finish
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$30
Website
Grangestone Rum 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.

Character
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 premium Rum to allow for further development.

Aroma: A rich malty aroma with a biscuity sweetness and fresh fruit notes. A delicate leafy character is balanced with vanilla sweetness.
Taste: Sweet and rounded with a vanilla oakiness. The malty character carries through into the taste with subtle notes of caramelised fruits.
Finish: Mellow and long lasting.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Malty, grainy, heather, rum, sugar cane, hint of an earthy note.
Palate:  Thin, light and sweet with rum, a slightly sour oak note, peppery at the back.
Finish:  Short and drying with pepper and a fading mineral note.
Comments:  As a non-age stated whisky, I approached this with low expectations – and it managed to still fall short. On the nose and palate this comes across as quite young. When I think of Highland single malt scotch, this doesn’t reflect or echo any that come to mind. The most positive thing I can say about this is I’m glad that they offer this in a 50mL bottle (which is what I bought).

Rating: Probably Pass

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