I have been looking forward to getting my hands on Redemption Whiskey Rum Cask Finish. Bottled at 47% ABV and priced at $45, it promises genuine character.
Nose
A light copper color with a medium-light body.
Palate
Sweet dried fruits like white raisins and mangoes, with a white pepper tingle The high rye content asserts itself early with flavors of earthy allspice that build up a bit of heat before falling off a cliff into the finish. This is where the glass really opens up and gets good with big fruit-cake-sweet raisins, stewed cherries, and dried fruit flavors. In the finish, the sweeter aspects fade out, leaving just tannins and distant cinnamon. The rum cask finish goes a long way to soften the ryes distinct flavor profile, mellowing the sharp bite of spice out into a rounder warmth and imparting a uniquely fruity aspect to the glass. This works well as a sipper, with just a drop or two of water to suit your taste, or can bring the best of both rum and rye to a noticeably superior whiskey-cola highball. The uncommonly fruity rye is fairly engaging on its own, but might be even more interesting as a cocktail ingredient.
Finish
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
The Bottom Line
Redemption Whiskey Rum Cask Finish is a perfectly respectable whiskey that does what it sets out to do. At $45, the value is reasonable — it will not blow your mind, but it will not disappoint you either. A reliable choice.
