Redemption Bourbon Cognac Cask Finish

This is a high-rye MGP bourbon that has been finished in Ferrand cognac casks. Essentially, the formula is similar to well-regarded bottles like J. Magnus and Bardstown Laubade. At $70, this is half or a third of the price of those, and it should be readily available without resorting to the secondary market. The color is a light amber with a peach hue. The aroma is subtle, offering hints of spice, roasted praline, grape, and cherry, along with a slightly young, bready note. The taste is also initially reserved, but the characteristic high-rye MGP notes (herbal) emerge, followed by a fruity punch reminiscent of Hawaiian Punch (cherry, raspberry, peach) and a touch of white pepper. It's also a bit sharp for its proof, leaving a tingle rather than a gentle warmth. This isn't quite a top-tier spirit. It shows potential but doesn't feel as complete as its more expensive counterparts. It comes across as young, with only a few distinct flavors, and generally flat. For reference, Belle Meade's sherry/cognac/etc. finished versions significantly outperformed this for a similar price, though they seem to have vanished. This is a challenging category, and I'm not aware of a good cask-finished bourbon available for under $100 (or more) at the moment.

Perhaps my palate is not as refined as others, but I could not detect any Cognac notes in this release. It very much tastes like typical 6-8YR "high rye" MGP mashbill bourbon. As such, it's a little under-proof for my tastes, but if that taste profile is something you enjoy at 99 proof, this is a classic example of it. Rich and oily mouthfeel, loads of toffee, tobacco and leather with a medium length medium heat spicy finish. Not a bad pour, but you should be able to find a similar palate for a few dollars less and no promises of Cognac:)

NOSE Blackberry taffy, oak, copper, corn meal, baking spice, leather, and a hint of anise. A dark, sweet, and somewhat earthy aroma. PALATE Caramel corn, oak, blackberry taffy, copper, corn meal, baking spice, waxy vanilla, and traces of leather. This matches the aroma well, offering a pleasant sensory experience. FINISH Medium-long; oak, blackberry taffy, dried fruit, and leather fade gradually.

Incredible flavor right from the start! I'm a fan! The fruity notes blend with a light, tapering body. For a bottle around $60, this is a success!

Sweet with a touch of peat. The initial taste is reminiscent of Scotch, followed by spice, leather, and black pepper.

It has a very sweet smell, like butterscotch. The taste is smooth, and I can definitely detect the cognac.