Redemption Rye is an MGP rye sold by Dynamic Spirits. Besides being barrel proof, this expression has an age statement, is labeled "straight" and discloses on the label that it's distilled in Indiana so it meets all the whiskey geek criteria. Now how does it taste?
Redemption Barrel Proof Rye, 7 years old, Batch 6, 61.3% ($100)
On the nose you get a big hit of MGP rye right away with huge bold spicy notes. The palate is similarly bold and spicy as you would expect but it's nicely balanced with some sweetness. Toward the late palate, though, it gets bitter and the bitterness hangs on until the finish; it's an almost Campari type of bitter note. Eventually, the bitterness fades and you're left with a lot of pine type notes. Water brings out sweet mint tea (another traditional MGP note) on the palate but doesn't do anything to cut the bitter notes in the late palate and finish.
While the ending notes were too heavy on the bitterness, this rye has great, bold rye notes. It's definitely one of the stronger MGP ryes I've tasted, and I wouldn't hesitate to pour a glass or use it in a cocktail. If they could cut the bitter notes, it would be fantastic.
9 comments:
Right. Now I want that too...
Interested in this, despite the price, as I love bolder, higher proof ryes. Would you describe the bitterness as metallic, medicinal or bad barrel residue? I don't mind a little organic bitterness, but if it tastes like its been cut with bug spray or dripped from the ceiling of a copper mine, I'll pass.
A hundred bucks for a 7 year old, even considering the higher proof, is a defining indicator of the current market. Compare to tasty Old Ezra 7 year old, 101 proof for $17. Crazy.
Curt, it's more a medicinal note, and it does mellow some with air.
Sounds like it's calling out for sweet vermouth...but at that price?
What's with the steep price increase? Didn't this used to be a $65-$70 dollar bottle for earlier batches or am I missing something?
Isn't this also essentially the exact same stuff as a Smooth Ambler CS rye? You can still grab 7-9 year CS ryes from SA for $60-75......can't believe $100 is the new "normal."
-Humchan2k
The Smooth Ambler cask strength runs around that proof and is around 7ish years old, and delicious. Alas, they are out of rye at Smooth Ambler, so if you see it on the shelf, stock up.
Oh, and the SA is an MGP product.
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