Redemption Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon is the higher rye version of the Redemption Barrel Proof Bourbon, clocking in with 15% more rye than its “low-rye” counterpart. Though, like its counterpart this is a tasty whiskey that has a lot of great qualities and oozes character. Once such character is the rye.
The rye is so pronounced here that it reminds me more of a bourbon and rye blend, like Bourye or Forgiven, than it does a high-rye bourbon like Wild Turkey or Four Roses. Neither of whom is the source of this whiskey by-the-way.
It’s well known, and well documented on their site, but in case you didn’t know Redemption didn’t make this whiskey. Redemption Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon is sourced from MGP like the rest of their whiskey and since they’re up front and honest it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. MGP makes good whiskey and someone should be bottling it.
Redemption Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon Info
Region: Indiana, USA
Distiller: MGP
Bottler: Redemption
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye and 4% Malted Barley
Cask: new-charred oak
Age: 9 Years
ABV: 54.6%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $100
Redemption Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon Review
EYE
Ruddy copper
NOSE
Oak driven and layered with rich notes of pine, dilly spice, cherry heavy dark fruit, caramel, vanilla, cocoa and pepper. There is a light bit of frosting-like sweetness underneath and water brings out additional nutty notes.
PALATE
Oak, dark fruit, dilly spice, black licorice, vanilla, chocolate orange, honey and a bit of pepper and mint. Water brings the dilly spice a bit higher and a nutty character shows up along with a light bit of blackberry licorice.
FINISH
Long drift of spice, dill, oak, caramel, toasted grains and mint.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance, full round body and an oily heavy feel.
OVERALL
Redemption Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon is good. Despite containing a higher amount of rye it’s less of a spice bomb than the Redemption Barrel Proof Bourbon and has a deeper, and sweeter, complexity to help balance it out a bit more. It’s a great tasting bourbon that’s full of character and unfolds even further with a little bit of water.
MGP has always created great whiskey and it’s nice to get to try it in this format. Un-filtered, un-cut, straight from the barrel and with no marketing nonsense about where it came from. That’s something I’ve admired about the Redemption brand for quite a while; they don’t waste their time coming up with stupid stories and BS marketing tales. They just focus on securing the best MGP whiskey they can and then disclose it on the bottle, their press releases and even their site. Good job Redemption.
SCORE: 90/100 (A-)
*Disclosure: This Redemption Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
