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 
I JUST saw this on the shelves the other day. Of course the packaging is attractive, but that’s never a sign of quality. Thanks for the review! I will spend my money elsewhere.
Cheers!
G-LO
Thanks for reviewing our Bourbon, never seen comments like this before- Bourbon has always been well received even when it was younger– though I do think you have an older bottle from when our whiskey was 2-3 yo- as we have changed label to read over 3 yo (we actually use older whiskey than that) Shoot me a note, and I ll get you a replacement bottle. ds@redemptionrye.com
Thanks for the offer, but a replacement is not necessary. I’m glad Redemption is getting older. I will try it again sometime, I assure you.
I also want to thank you for your response and clarification. It takes guts to respond to a negative review of your product online. I like that. Cheers to you.
Hope you enjoy your next bottle more. We try to keep our customers happy, and it really doesnt take guts to post words on the internet. Takes guts to be a small player in this industry, if you’d like to meet lots of spirits entrepreneurs with guts, try stopping by the Chicago Indie Spirits Expo next week to meet them. Indiespiritsexpo.com