Redemption Barrel Proof 10 year High Rye Bourbon (2021, Batch 002)

Very good

Smooth caramel, wonderful

It’s 2021 and this is batch 002, bottle 18867 clocking in at 116.2 proof. Caramel-amber in color and big herbal, rye nose. Rich brown sugar, salted caramel, warm pumpernickel bread, vanilla frosting, caraway, fresh mint, dry, tobacco, Maraschino cherries. Viscous, heavy palate with loads of almost-gritty MGP “dill” spice that for me is really more like the marriage of cedar, tobacco, clove and eucalyptus. I would love to put this head to head with a Boone Co Eighteen-33 year single barrel. This has more brown sugar and baked goods in place of the caramel/corn based notes. It also has a nice bit of what I imagine licking old oak furniture tastes like. That said, it falls short of “dusty library books” territory as far as well-aged, softened tannins go. Big Kentucky hug. Predominantly sweet, long finish with pops of wood (pine?) and herbs. I’ll be buying another and if you like older MGP or the likes of SAOS rye, Boone Co single barrels or current Remus Reserve then you should consider doing so as well.