Redemption Straight Bourbon

I must commend Redemption for providing information on their label. My primary interest is in the mash bill and age, both of which are stated here. It's baffling why other whiskies don't follow suit, especially regarding the mash bill, as knowing it won't enable someone to replicate their recipe. I can perhaps understand why a whisky might omit an age statement, as seen with Knob Creek when demand prevented them from guaranteeing a minimum age of 9 years for a period. However, offering this basic data is generally a courtesy to the consumer. Moving on to the whisky itself. At 88 proof, I now consider this quite low for a bourbon; I prefer my spirits at 90 proof or higher. I suspect the following remarks would be more favorable if the proof were 90 or 100. The mash bill consists of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% barley. This is a two-year-old whisky, meeting the minimum age requirement for a straight whisky under American law, and I purchased a fifth for $29.99 at Kelly Liquors. In the glass, it presents a golden copper hue. NOSE: Initially, I detected a grain sensation. This was followed by honey with a slight tartness, a hint of mint, and an earthy note. Typically, I can discern more after a sip or two, but with this spirit, the initial impression was the extent of what I perceived. MOUTHFEEL: Thin, yet slightly creamy. TASTE: The initial flavor was spicy honey, followed by something reminiscent of lemon cough drops, though the note eluded me when I tried to focus on it. There was certainly cinnamon, and a touch of dark chocolate. FINISH: The finish consisted solely of honey and dark chocolate, and it was notably brief. SUMMARY: This spirit requires a higher proof and more maturation time. For an 88 proof, 2-year-old whisky, it's decent, but there are superior options available for $30. I appreciate this bourbon, but better choices exist, and I likely won't purchase it again. RATING: On my personal scale, it scores a 4 (from the bottom), indicating 'Okay.' This translates to 2.5 stars, 50/100, or 5/10.

Overall: Acquired this at a great price, though it's usually more. It's an easy sipper offering welcome bright citrus notes that stand out from typical malty or dessert flavors. The orange taste was a pleasant surprise, possibly due to some oxidation from the bottle being open for a while. Satisfied for the cost, but I wouldn't regularly keep it stocked at a higher price. Nose: Welcoming smells of caramel and toffee with a hint of vanilla. Faint lemon emerges with time. Palate: A vibrant mandarin orange flavor appears first, shining brightly and overshadowing other notes. It becomes more subdued by traditional caramel with further tasting, which is a shame. I wish that initial orange note persisted longer. Finish: Brief. The syrupy orange taste continues with a touch of spice, and some malty flavors briefly surface.

This expression works for me as an everyday drink, suitable for a highball. It's not a bourbon I'd sip neat. My tasting experience is still developing, with over 50 but fewer than 100 whiskeys sampled as of 2022 (not all consumed, just appreciated outside of shots and mixers).

Sweet orange-like scent on the nose, with a touch of light pepper spice. That spice carries into a neat sip without being harsh, making it an easy drinker. The warmth and taste linger pleasantly. Surprisingly, the sweetness from the aroma is subdued until water or ice is added, then it emerges nicely. Quite good for a spirit aged around two years.

I purchased this for mixing with egg nog. I was surprised by how muted it was, so I sampled it on its own. It doesn't taste bad, it's just not very assertive. The aroma is quite pleasant, with sweet cinnamon. The flavor is vanilla and fairly smooth. There's a slight oak presence later in the taste. Overall, it's just mild and straightforward. It's an acceptable sipper, but I'll need to try it in an Old Fashioned to see if it becomes indistinct again.

A light bourbon from Redemption distillery in Indiana, crafted with a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye & barley, and aged for 2 years in new charred oak barrels. It presents a delicate beginning with notes of vanilla, caramel & spice; a gentle middle offers wood, rye & spice; leading to a short & balanced finish. January / May 2017 / April 2019 / August 2022