Rye Whiskey

Redemption Sur Lee Straight Rye Whiskey

47% ABV
$60
Website

We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and Praytell for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Continuing the brand’s commitment to deliver rare and unique rye-forward offerings, Redemption Whiskey announces the release of the latest addition to the brand’s highly sought after award-winning Specialty Series: Redemption Sur Lee Straight Rye Whiskey. Redemption Sur Lee was created utilizing a first-of-its-kind whiskey-making technique inspired by the French sur lie winemaking process and designed to add layers
of complexity and roundness.

The resulting whiskey is an entirely unique expression of rye, with rich taste, buttery notes, a silky finish and a hint of rye spice.

This whiskey innovation begins with Redemption’s award-winning classic pre-Prohibition rye mash bill, which boasts a rye content of 95%. Redemption then broke conventional whiskey-making norms by adding the flavorful backset that comes off the still during distillation, called the “whiskey lees,” into the barrels before aging. By periodically rotating the barrels during the aging process, the “lees” and whiskey continually interact and naturally infuse the whiskey with even more flavor. The “sur lee” method invigorates the rye’s complexity to further enhance and develop the whiskey. Before bottling, Sur Lee is non-chill filtered to maintain optimal flavors and aromas. The end result is a whiskey that’s deep and complex with a floral upfront, nutty backdrop and decadent, buttery notes of toasted marshmallow, maple and nutmeg, balanced with a lingering spicy finish.

Flavor Profile
Nose: Floral upfront with a lovely nutty, woody back drop. Evokes deep fruit notes of dried mango, bergamot orange, and honey baked apples.
Palate: Round, rich and soft with decadent nutty and buttery notes that envelop the palate. Supporting notes of toasted marshmallow, maple, and nutmeg, balanced with Redemption Rye’s signature undertones of fennel and caraway.
Finish: A lingering, balanced finish that coats the palate. Spice fades into a hint of sweetness with warming flavors of­ pie crust, sweet pine, buttered popcorn, vanilla and dried fig.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Woodsy rye spice, dill, mint, lemon (leaning towards grapefruit) zest, orange blossom honey with apples.
Palate:  Round mouthfeel, nutty with vanilla, orange, apple, mint, nutmeg, savory spice notes with an earthy hint of mushroom and cocoa.
Finish:  Moderately long with fruity spice and vanilla.
Comments:  Definitely a unique addition to the Redemption rye family (and rye whiskey in general). This whiskey delivers on what I look for in a high-rye rye whiskey (not to be confused with a ‘barely-legal’ rye whiskey) with the fruit notes and dill, but there is an earthy nuttiness to this that really stands out. This isn’t earthy like a peaty scotch; it is a much more subtle play that still showcases the rye whiskey, but adds a lovely new dimension. The packaging isn’t my favorite – the glass bottle is slightly frosted and fades to black, giving it a more cloudy/dark appearance than the whiskey itself. I prefer just clean/clear glass; the whiskey is delicious on its own, but not a fan when the packaging makes it look “different” than it does in my glass. Also prefer an artificial bottle stopper over cork, which can deteriorate. But those critiques wouldn’t discourage me from buying a bottle – because I mainly buy for what’s on the inside. This is one of my favorites that I’ve tried from Redemption. Hoping we maybe see a barrel proof release in the future!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Stellum Rye Single Barrel
Selected By ‘The Chocolate Fountain’ E2 Serpens

58.35% ABV
$60
Website

What the Blender Says

Single barrel whiskeys are an expression of distinction and power. Every cask is different. Many make good ingredients, but only some possess the particular character and balance to make a worthy single barrel bottling.

While marrying barrels for Stellum Bourbon and Stellum Rye, we occasionally identify specific barrels that we feel speak strongly alone. We set these barrels aside and bottle them at their true cask strength. Each is very much an individual experience, an unfiltered expression of one specific aging rather than a blend.

We offer Stellum single barrels as unique and exclusive picks for stores, clubs, and private gatherings. We also offer bottle-by-bottle Stellum single barrels in select markets.

Serpens – Selections made in the Spring and Summer of 2021
95% Rye/5% Barley Malt

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rye spice, mint, bit of dill, cedar, caramel, toffee, subtle toasted oak, citrus tilting from orange to grapefruit.
Palate:  Dark sweetness (molasses?) with blood orange, cloves, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with mint, brown sugar and orange spice.
Comments:  A really robust rye, where the nose presents squarely in the 95% rye mash bill quadrant, but the palate took a left turn with a surprisingly dark sweetness note. I found this worked really well in a Vieux Carré, although it was delicious neat as well. Bit of water thickens it up nicely, and brings the orange notes more into focus.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Barrell Single Barrel Rye
“Joe’s Playlist” Track #4 Honey Badger V416
Canadian Rye Single Barrel Whiskey

74.15% ABV
$130
Website

What the Blender Says

“Honey Badger!” sounds cute, but don’t mess with it. This 14-year-old Canadian Rye clocks in at 148.3 proof. It has a charming nose of honey and white flowers, but like it’s namesake, it devours its prey. There are only 72 bottles of “Honey Badger!”, so act fast!

What Gary Says

Nose:  Charred oak, honey, caramel, savory herbal notes, orange with a mineral note.
Palate:  Warm, sweet with mint, caramel, savory notes with orange, cinnamon, pepper and nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with oak and caramel.
Comments:  A really robust and intense rye, with some sweetness but a lot of savory spice going on. Love that balance! The sample bottle I received didn’t note the details (I thought the nose was ‘a tad hot’ but given the ABV, it really isn’t!). This is a lovely rye whiskey, and takes water really well, thickening up, amping the orange and caramel notes, while toning the edges (but not taming it too much). Only 72 bottles, so probably won’t find this again, but if you run across it in the wild – don’t be afraid of the honey badger!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try