Redemption Barrel-Proof 10-Year Rye Whiskey

Redemption Barrel-Proof 10-Year Rye Whiskey is one of several whiskies from Redemption Distillery in Indiana, across the river from Louisville, Kentucky.

I’ve already sampled the Redemption 9-Year Barrel-Proof Bourbon, and it was an excellent bourbon. We saw the New Year in with it, hoping to hope that 2021 was going to be a better year than 2020. Well, it might be tempting fate but it could hardly be worse, could it?

The Redemption Story

You can read about the story behind Redemption in my review of their Redemption 9-Year Barrel-Proof Bourbon, explaining that although they’re in Indiana, they neighbor Kentucky, and Indiana provides many of Kentucky’s revered bourbon-makers with their grain. And this is what Redemption has to say for itself:

Redemption is bringing rye-forward whiskey back to the forefront of American culture, as it was in Pre-Prohibition times.

Redemption Range

Redemption does indeed have a wide range of rye-forward whiskies, of various age statements, various strengths, various recipes, and various finishes (rum cask, anyone?)

Redemption Barrel-Proof 10-Year Rye

This particular Redemption Rye is certainly rye-forward, with a mash bill that’s 95% rye and just 5% malted barley. It’s aged for 10 years in new charred oak barrels, and then bottled at 58.1% ABV (116.2 proof). Curiously, Redemption also makes a 10-Year Barrel-Proof High Rye version, though strangely the High Rye has less rye than the Rye!

Tasting Redemption Barrel-Proof 10-Year Rye Whiskey

The whiskey is a deep golden color, as you’d expect after ten years in contact with the barrel. On the nose it’s deliciously smooth with oodles of aromas immediately. There’s a lot of creamy caramel, alongside creamy vanilla, and hints of chocolate. That makes it sound like a box of chocolates, but they would have to be chocolates with some gingery spice too, and smell like they’re 58.1% ABV! There are also very unchocolatey hints of leather and even farmyard, but in a pleasant and earthy pinot noir kind of a way.

There’s even more going on on the palate, if that’s possible. There’s still a basic sweetness of chocolate and vanilla, but a little more rye spiciness, still some ginger, a bit of pepper, a dash of liquorice. The finish is long and mellow, with yet more peppery notes, with the vanilla creaminess turning to honey sweetness, and even a touch of citrus. In short, this is one helluva whiskey.

Redemption Barrel-Proof 10-Year Rye Whiskey Awards

Don’t just take my word for how good this is. Check out some of the awards this rye whiskey has won:

Buying Redemption Barrel-Proof 10-Year Rye Whiskey

This rye has a recommended retail price of $99.99 for a 750ml bottle. It’s expensive, yes, but the average bottle contains over 20 shots, making it $5 a shot. How much would you pay for a shot of this quality in a bar, if you could even get it? You can find more information on their website, and buy it online from Drizly.