Maker: Strong Spirits Spirits Inc., Bardstown, Kentucky, USA
Distilled by: LDI, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA (MGP)
Age: 2+ yrs.
Proof: 92 (46% ABV)
Appearance: Shiny new penny. Fleeting, thin legs.
Nose: Alcohol, nail polish, mango, a bit of leather. Like a party at Elton John’s house.
On the palate: Soft and silky mouthfeel. More fruit, black cherry juice, Juicy Fruit gum, then a brutally hot alcohol assault. Burns everywhere, even with water.
Finish: Hot and then hot. Nothing in the way of oak, a little bit of that fruitiness but not much.
Mixed: Works well in an agressively sweetned Old Fashioned. Does ok in a bourbon and Coke, too, but doesn’t particularly distinguish itself.
Parting words: Redemption High-Rye Bourbon isn’t as bad as I remember it being the last time I opened the bottle. If that’s not faint praise I don’t know what is. This has the makings of a good bourbon, but at 2 years and a day, it’s not even close to being there yet. If you are looking for LDI bourbon in Michigan, you can purchase Traverse City Whiskey Co. Bourbon for $1 more. It’s lower proof, but it’s much more rounded and although it is age stated at four years, there seems to be some fairly old whiskey in the mix. W.H. Harrison barrel proof is also better LDI bourbon, but overpriced and hard to find outside of Indiana. If you are just looking for a well-quality bourbon, Evan Williams and Very Old Barton sell for half the price of Redemption. Either way there is no good reason to seek out Redemption, the bourbon anyway. Not recommended.
Sipology 