Stands Out

Redemption 10 Yr Barrel Proof Rye

/ / Review, Rye Whiskey / ,

Redemption 10 Yr Barrel Proof Rye

58.1% ABV
$100
Website
Redemption 10 year barrel proof rye
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
COLOR: Deep amber with lime hues.
AROMA: Seductive aromas of black caramel, molasses, and vanilla layered over tones of freshly cut grass and hints of ginger.
PALATE: The palate has amazing concentration. The spicy rye notes evolve with flavors of dark chocolate, licorice and fennel laced together with cardamom, black pepper and tarragon. The finish is long and mellow.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich orange, caramel, chocolate, lemongrass, ginger, oak, cinnamon, clove, fresh cracked pepper with a hint of anise.
Palate:  Dark chocolate orange, caramel, honey, rich with baking spices – clove, cinnamon, anise, nutmeg, and pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long with baking spices, honey and oak.
Comments:  This is a really nice barrel proof rye.  Lovely Christmas spice notes throughout.  I’m a big fan of the really high rye mash bill rye whiskies (compared to the more common ‘barely legal rye’ with just over 50% rye), and especially at barrel proof.  Water really opens it up, although I loved it neat.  This is nice and robust – an excellent cocktail rye that works just as well for sipping neat.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Redemption 10 Yr Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Redemption 10 Yr Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon

57.2% ABV
$100
Website
Redemption 10 year barrel proof 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

Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
COLOR: Dark gold, flecked with crimson.
AROMA: Rich vanilla oak with hints of aged balsamic and violets.
PALATE: The silky texture of this whiskey is simply amazing combined with the spicy rye backbone, the flavors abound. Toffee, honey, and roasted nut flavors dominate this whiskey, which finishes with the exotic flavors of star anise, nutmeg, and a hint of lemongrass.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich vanilla, salted caramel, oak, fall leaves, cinnamon, dark chocolate with notes of orange bitters.
Palate:  Thick mouthfeel, warm and rich caramel, spicy toffee, coffee cake, cinnamon, chocolate, baking spices, pepper, a bit of clove and anise.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with cocoa, pepper, oak and baking spices.
Comments:  Another really nice barrel proof bourbon.  I prefer this over the 9 Year, probably more because of the higher rye mash bill than the extra year of age.  Takes water really well, tamping the sharp edges without losing the depth.

Rating: Stands Out

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Redemption 9 Yr Barrel Proof Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Redemption 9 Yr Barrel Proof Bourbon

52.85% ABV
$100
Website
Redemption 9 year barrel proof bourbon
We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
COLOR: Amber with ruby tones.
AROMA: Aromas of fresh Madagascan vanilla pod, caramelized toffee, and dark roast coffee dominate the aroma with hints of lavender honey.
PALATE: Smooth, mellow, and seamless, this bourbon slides through the mouth. Bacon, smoked meats with nuances of hops and white pepper spice with an overlay of wet river stone are the signature flavors of this complex barrel proof whiskey.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich vanilla fudge, dark chocolate, honey, coffee, oak, orange zest, subtle spice notes.
Palate:  Warm and oily mouthfeel, rich caramel, cocoa, cracked pepper with notes of walnuts.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with pepper and oak.
Comments:  This is a solid, barrel proof bourbon. Definitely a step up from Redemption Bourbon in my book, which isn’t a big surprise since I do tend to prefer higher proof drams.  This takes a bit of water well, but despite the higher proof I don’t think it is required.  This is a really nice age as well, with some oak on the nose, but not so much on the palate.

Rating: Stands Out

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Caol Ila 12 Year

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Caol Ila 12 Year
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

43% ABV
$80 – $90
Website
Caol Ila 12 Yr

What the Distillery Says

The ultimate Islay malt, Caol Ila is considered by experts to be the perfect entry point into the world of peaty malt whiskies and a reference for connoisseurs of Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky the world over. Fresh, sweetly fruity and smooth-bodied, Caol Ila 12 year old is the colour of pale straw, with a delicate balance of tastes.

APPEARANCE: Pale straw.
BODY: Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel: firm with a light to medium body.
NOSE: Subdued, citric fruitiness; a whiff of bath oil and dentist’s mouthwash. A fresh and appetising nose, with little or no trace of smoke. A little water raises almond oil and old fashioned oilskins; still a fresh fruitiness, a trace of olive oil, and after a while potpourri or scented hand-soap.
PALATE: Drinks well at natural strength; sweet start; pleasant, light fragrant smokiness and a lengthy finish. Smooth, pleasant mouth-feel; with water light acidity, some salt and still the sweeter notes. A complex balance of primary tastes.
FINISH: Sweet smokiness in the lingering, slightly sour finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Subtle peat and sea air, grassy, vanilla, hint of grapefruit and apricots, leather, maybe a touch of mint.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with a smoky sweetness, vanilla, light spices, nutmeg, soft peat, orange and lemon zest.
Finish:  Long with peat smoke, slowly building pepper spice.
Comments:  A solid single malt that brings the peat but in a gentle and sophisticated manner. I’m a bit embarrassed that we hadn’t reviewed this classic until now!  This is a pour that I find I enjoy nosing a bit more than drinking (not that I don’t enjoy the sipping part!)  The nose has a bit more complexity than the palate, but both are nicely balanced.  If someone has been turned off by peat in the past (maybe diving right in with a Laphroaig) but is looking to try again, I find this to be a great ‘peat gateway’ pour.

Rating: Stands Out

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Suntory World Whisky Ao

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Suntory World Whisky Ao
A Blend of Five World Whiskies

43% ABV
$71
Website
Suntory World Whisky Ao
We would like to thank Suntory and Savona Communications for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Beam Suntory Announces Global Launch of World Blended Whisky, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’ Exclusive for Global Travelers
Beam Suntory has announced the launch of the world blended whisky, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’, in global travel retail.

The whisky, which will be available in 16 markets, is the first innovative whisky launch in global travel retail since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Blended using whisky from five of the most renowned distilleries in Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the US, ‘Ao’, meaning blue, is named after the ocean that connects these five distilleries together in harmony.

The one-of-a-kind whisky is a tribute to the liquids’ long history, perfectly capturing the heathery flavor of Ardmore and Glen Garioch, the complexity of Cooley, the smoothness of Alberta, the vibrance of Jim Beam and the subtlety of Yamazaki and Hakushu. With notes of vanilla, tropical fruit and cinnamon, it is the distinctive climate, fermentation and distillation processes in each whisky-making region that give the whisky its unique taste.

Fifth generation Suntory chief blender, Shinji Fukuyo, carefully selected the liquids used based-on Suntory’s globally recognised Monozukuri craftsmanship – a relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality. Building on Suntory’s long history of craftsmanship, this innovative, multi-faceted, premium blended whisky embodies the spirit of Suntory.

Shinji Fukuyo said: “Ao is an exceptional whisky which, through the art of Suntory blending, allows you to enjoy the unique characteristics of each of the five major whisky-making regions.”

Sho Semba, Beam Suntory Inc. President, Japan & China, said: “We are very excited about the launch of this new whisky. Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’ brings together the world’s most highly regarded whisky regions to produce this unique and premium quality blend. In recent years we’ve seen a huge increase in demand from customers across the world who want to experience Japanese whisky. We are confident that whisky enthusiasts will enjoy the unique flavor created by this unique Japanese blended whisky, which originates from around the world.”

Ed Stening, Global Head of Travel Retail Marketing at Beam Suntory International, said: “This is a truly innovative whisky that blends five very different distilleries’ greatest assets and unique crafts. We couldn’t be more excited to share ‘Ao’ with our customers and bring some exciting innovation to the global travel retail world.”

Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’ is a unique addition to Suntory’s growing spirits portfolio. The Suntory whisky range includes Yamazaki and Hakushu, the pioneer of Japanese Single Malts, and Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, Hibiki.

Available Markets (Global Travel Retail only): United States | Canada | France | Germany | Ireland | UK | Netherlands | Dubai | Turkey | India | Australia | China | Hong Kong | Singapore | Taiwan | South Korea

Tasting notes:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Profound vanilla, pineapple-like fruitiness on top, a creamy sweetness and depth with a lingering woody aroma
Palate: Smooth and sweet mouthfeel, gradually followed with smokiness and cinnamon-like spiciness
Finish: Sweet and smoky, spicy and woody, a many-layered complexity

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla, peaches, kiwi, vegetal note (cooked bell pepper), banana, fresh oregano and malt.
Palate:  Smooth and sweet malt with cinnamon, hint of fruit, smoky vegetal notes.
Finish:  Moderately long, smoky with pepper and savory herbs.
Comments:  Unique with the vegetal notes, which for that reason merits a ‘Stands Out’.  A bit of an odd pour; interesting concept that isn’t objectionable, but muddled.  I’m a fan of the various types of whisk(e)y involved, but combined none of them stand out.

Rating: Stands Out

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