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Whiskey Review: Redemption “Ancients” 18-Year-Old Rye

We review Redemption "Ancients" 18-Year-Old Rye, the oldest rye whiskey Redemption has ever released.

OVERALL RATING

9
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Tasting Notes

About:

18 years old, 54.95% alcohol. Suggested pricing of $400, but currently selling for even more.
Appearance:
Warm amber with a watery meniscus
Nose:
A blousy burst of dill, mint, salt, and wet paint starts things off on a pickly note, but that’s not the whole story. The nose quickly takes a savory turn, with an understated sweetness – no big, flabby notes of vanilla and caramel here—supported by 18 years worth of taut oak spice. A subtle duskiness, aged cedar, and a gentle floral tone combine to make this smell like a very expensive pencil. With water things get lighter, brighter, and a little phosphoric.
Palate:
Dense, sweet, concentrated, a parade of bold flavors: Menthol, dill, licorice, ribbons of salted caramel, brown pumpernickel bread, root beer, clove, nutmeg, and candied citrus all flicker through in rapid succession. The oak is firm and grippy, but thankfully nowhere close to overblown. A welcome brightness emerges in the finish, with tangy white grape and a bitter, minty aftertaste that reminds me of Branca Menta. The mouth feel is on the thin side for its age, so water doesn’t do it any real favors.
Finish:
Comments:
This is a grown-up whiskey for grown-up drinkers. Not too oaky, it delivers a lot of rye character with real gravitas. It’s a splurge, for sure, but a worthy one if you’re a serious rye devotee looking for something with big, bold, memorable flavor.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash 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.

Margarett Waterbury

Margarett Waterbury is the author of "Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland's Whiskies" and a full-time freelance writer and editor specializing in the beverage industry. Her work has graced the pages of numerous publications, including Whisky Advocate, Food and Wine, Spirited Magazine, Artisan Spirit, Edible Seattle, Sip Northwest, Civil Eats, Travel Oregon, and many others. She also boasts editorial experience as the former managing editor of Edible Portland and as a co-founder and former managing editor of The Whiskey Wash. In recognition of her talent, Margarett received the Alan Lodge Young Drinks Writer of the Year award in 2017 and was awarded fellowships for the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in 2017 and 2019.

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