Average

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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Kurayoshi 12 Yr Pure Malt Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

The Kurayoshi Malt Whisky Aged 12 Years
Japanese Matsui Whisky

46% ABV
$100 – $110
Website
Kurayoshi 12 yr Malt Whisky

What the Distillery Says

Matsui pure malt whisky [Kurayoshi 12 Years]
The aroma of nuts and almonds is followed by a rich malty texture, with hints of vanilla and raisins, accompanied by a faint smoky flavor in perfect balance with the sweetness, bitterness and acidity of this vintage.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Subtle dark fruits with kiwi and pears, almond cookies, caramel, honey, a hint of peat, smoke, and minerals.
Palate:  Nutty caramel with vanilla, a sharp pepper bite followed by an earthy, herbal, mineral note with light fruit.
Finish:  Moderate in length with a mineral, peppery note and roasted nuts.
Comments:  This is the 2nd sample from our Flaviar tasting box. Again, very subtle – although this has a sharpness on the palate that was a bit of a surprise (although not necessarily in a good way). A bit of water tamps that a bit, but didn’t really open it up or add anything. While it isn’t objectionable, if I’d paid retail, I would be very disappointed..

Rating: Probably Pass/Average

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Nikka Days Blended Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Nikka Days
Japanese Blended Whisky

40% ABV
$50 – $60
Website
Nikka Days Blended Whisky

What the Distillery Says

Nikka has always been at the crossroads of cultures, between the East and the West, Nature and Human, Tradition and Innovation. Each day is a new journey which continuously learn from previous ones. Nikka Days, the latest creation of the brand, is a shining example of this state of mind.
A subtle blend of grain and malt whiskies. Creamy and smooth, fruity and floral, this whisky will please amateurs and connoisseurs.

COLOR: Light golden hue.
NOSE: Fresh and fruity. White flowers, orange blossoms, pear and citrus.
PALATE: Light and smooth. Cereals, malt, toffee, roasted nuts and vanilla.
FINISH: Dry apricot, malt, vanilla, elusive peat.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Soft and subtle, caramel, toffee with subtle notes of pear and peach.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with grain, malt, a touch of vanilla followed by a slight chili pepper bite, notes of orange near the end.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with vanilla and grain.
Comments:  Earlier this year as part of my Flaviar membership I selected a tasting box (The Land Of The Rising Whisky) as I have enjoyed drams of Japanese whisky with friends, but have never reviewed nor spent quality time with them. This was the first of three samples from that box. This comes across as pretty young, and just uninspiring. It is ‘bright’, but incredibly subtle. I can appreciate a subtle, nuanced whisk(e)y but this I find is like work to try to coax much from it other than the grain notes.

Rating: Average

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Ardbeg Wee Beastie

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Ardbeg Wee Beastie
5 Years Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

47.4% ABV
$50
Website
Ardbeg Wee Beastie

What the Distillery Says

IT’S A MONSTER OF A DRAM
Ardbeg Wee Beastie is the latest permanent expression to join the Distillery’s Ultimate Range. At just five years old, Wee Beastie is a feisty young creature with a formidable taste.

SOMETHING BIG AND SMOKY…
Our whisky creators set out to make the rawest, smokiest Ardbeg ever. The result is Ardbeg Wee Beastie and this tongue-tingling, beautifully smoky dram is the youngest Ardbeg we’ve ever made.

On the snout, intense aromas of cracked blacked pepper mingle with sappy pine resin and a sharp tang of smoke. Suddenly, an explosive mouthfeel bursts forth with chocolate, creosote and tar. Savoury meats sink into the palate before the long salty mouthcoating finish slinks away… revealing the inner beast of this Islay icon.

Young and intensely smoky, this is a dram untamed by age. Matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, Wee Beastie is perfect for enjoying neat or as the mouth-watering main ingredient in a powerfully smoky cocktail.

Non chill-filtered at 47.4%.

TASTING NOTES
COLOUR: A glint of bright Gold (Auric)
AROMA: The first sniff alerts you to a nearby presence… heightened senses are filled with very bright, fresh herbal notes, with creeping hints of vanilla and pear. Rich Turkish coffee mingles with sappy pine resin, with honey-glazed ham lurking in the background. With water, more herbal top notes like vetiver and fennel captivate and pull you in, while beguiling scents of aniseed, green apple and leather cause you to drop your guard. Out of nowhere, a sharp tang of smoke and a crack of fresh black pepper fire warning shots across the senses.
TASTE: Suddenly, a rich, explosive mouthfeel bursts forth with chocolate, creosote and tar. A powerful blast of eucalyptus thrashes about with antiseptic lozenges and aniseed. The raw, smoky intensity gathers pace, before smoked bacon and savoury meats sink into the palate.
FINISH: The long, salty mouthcoating finish retreats, with hints of cocoa and fudge slinking slowly away.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Peat, creosote, fresh pine, seaweed, smoked pork butt, dried fruit, earthy, mineral notes with a bit of sulfur and hint of coffee.
Palate:  Sweet, grainy with honey, salty peat, creosote, bit of chocolate, earthy notes with pepper spice.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, drying with lingering spices and peat.
Comments:  I like Ardbeg, and am also a sherry fan – so maybe I had unreasonable hopes for this (given its age). Don’t get me wrong – there isn’t anything off putting with this, but the youth is apparent, and the sherry influence is fairly subtle (maybe too subtle). Not bad, but not special either – and given the price point, can’t imagine reaching for this over the standard bearer 10 yr old.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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