Redemption Barrel Proof 9 Year Bourbon (2017 Edition)

Not a fan… ranked 5th in a blind with multiple people.

SO MUCH FLAVOR! Super fruity like a luxardo cherry but no burn at all. Feels like it coats your throat with a sugary coat so you get the aftertaste for a while after. Smells super full and ripe

Purchased in 2021, so I’m not sure this is a “2017 edition” but yet the proof matches exactly so I dunno. Nose is not the strongest but very pleasant; MGP all the way with Christmas tree, allspice, ginseng, leather, cinnamon, grass, and pencil eraser. Ethanol presence very low for the proof. Palate: Yeah ok, that’s delicious. Everything in the nose is present in the palate with a bit of vanilla and apple sweetness to bring some balance, but make no mistake; this is not a sweet bourbon but more of a “spicy and woody” offering. Flavors blend pretty seamlessly and with typical MGP brightness. I hate the expression, but probably the “smoothest” bourbon I have had with this particular profile by which I mean no rough edges or alcohol presence. Finish is quite long with cedar, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, and a hint of mint. Very nice. Mouthfeel is medium, but any thicker and wouldn’t match the bright flavor profile, so I’m totally ok with it. This is a tough one to rate. I throughly enjoyed it, but with a price tag of $99.99, it’s hard to call this any kind of value especially given you can get the same MGP profile albeit aged a few less years in Belle Meade Reserve at the exact same proof for $65. (Belle Meade is also slightly sweeter) This will be my first review with a rebuy level rating that probably isn’t an actual rebuy; but it is one tasty mofo.