Redemption Wheated Bourbon Review

I’m a wheated whiskey fan and an MGP fan, so when this Redemption Wheated Bourbon popped up I had to try it. Clocking in at 45% wheat, this is a super high wheat content, compared to others who typically clock in at <20%, making it a unique option on the market that embraces the apperant ethos of MGP to push their ingredients to new limits.

While it’s cool this is showing up and making its mark on the whiskey world, I’m a little shocked it took this long for a massive NDP brand to embrace it. All of the new MGP mash bills started production in 2013 and in 2017, when those new MGP mash bills turned four, I thought we’d be seeing them rolling through the market en masse… but they didn’t. And I was dismayed.

Not because I was wrong, but because I was hoping well-known NDPs like Redemption, High West and Smooth Ambler would be all over them and we’d get to try them from transparent brands we trust. But 4 years and one pandemic later and I finally have one in my glass. So I guess I should stop verbally puttering around up here so we can get on with the review below. We’ve waited long enough.

Redemption Wheated Bourbon – Details and Tasting Notes

Whiskey Details

Region: Indiana, USA

Distiller: MGP
Bottler: Redemption
Mash Bill: 51% Corn, 45% Winter Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS (4 Years)
ABV: 48%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 004

Price: $45*

White background tasting shot with the Redemption Wheated Bourbon bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.

“Flavors of roasted coffee beans, smoked meats, and hazelnut marry harmoniously with spicy notes of cardamom and black pepper and a fresh hint of mint.” – Redemption Whiskey

Tasting Notes

EYE
Honey

NOSE
Honied graham, fruit, caramel, melon rind, cocoa, marshmallow, grain and wood. The aroma is so light, there just isn’t much going on and what little is happening is watery and woody and… almost… crafty.

PALATE
Honied graham, fruit, caramel, wood, melon rind, marshmallow and some grain sweetness. It’s oddly even lighter, it’s like whiskey-flavored water, there’s just not much happening in this Redemption Wheated Bourbon and I find myself stretching and searching for signs of more.

FINISH
Short -> Honied graham, fruit and cereal sweetness that’s gone in a flash.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Ok balance for what’s there, watery body and a super-light feel from beginning to end.

Redemption Wheated Bourbon – Final Thoughts and Score

I love MGP whiskey and I’m a fan of what Redemption usually picks and that they label properly so you know where it came from. Some of their marketing is a bit borderline with their representation, but it’s clearly stated to be from IN on the label… but back to the whiskey.

Redemption usually puts out quality stuff and so on the whole I’m a fan. The ryes and high-rye bourbons they source typically range from good to legendary, but this Redemption Wheated Bourbon is unfortunately lackluster. It’s weak, watery and there just isn’t much happening.

SCORE: 2/5

*Disclosure: The bottle for this bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

Redemption Wheated Bourbon Review $45

Summary

No major off notes in here, but then there’s not much of anything in here. It’s so light and ethereal it just vaporizes before it fully registers with the senses.