Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Non distilling producers, or companies that do not distill their own product, are common in the whiskey space. Redemption has rarely shied away from the fact they source their whiskey from MGP. I believe there is a great deal of integrity in honesty. No shame in having a master blender instead of master distiller, especially if what you’re blending is something people are buying.
However, in 2020 brand ambassador Joe Riggs hinted at something bigger. The brand would be working through a “new distilling process.” That was all he let slip. Two years later we may finally be seeing this new process. Redemption a number of months back introduced Sur Lee Straight Rye, based off the French winemaking process of Sur Lie (on the lees).
Please forgive this very brutish explanation for what is a complicated process. Sur Lie is the process by which wine produces rest the wine on the Lees. Lees are the leftover yeast particles from the autolysis, or the self-destruction of the yeast cells during fermentation. This is a French process and, from my understanding, rare. Generally this is for white or sparkling wines, but has been used in red wines as well. The problem with leaving wine on the lees is you must be extremely delicate to not disturb the yeast by-product or allow the wine to rest for so long or off flavors are produced.
Redemption puts its Sur Lee offering through a 7-part process. In brief: the whiskey is fermented and the alcohol is separated from the grains and yeast through distillation. After distillation the “whiskey lees” are added to the barrels and periodically rotated during aging. The barrel rolling allows the whiskey and “lees” to interact. Finally, the whiskey is non-chill filtered and sold.
I do not know enough about chemistry to understand if a distillate would be a viable medium for yeast by-product to meaningfully interact with. On first blush, I would assume the constant rolling would only make the distillate cloudy and unappetizing. There is freedom to being a non-distilling producer – you can do interesting projects. I’m curious to see if there is merit to the Sur Lie whiskey process. With that, we turn to the glass.
Tasting Notes: Redemption Sur Lee Straight Rye Whiskey
Vital Stats: No age statement. 5% Barley 95% Rye. 47% ABV. $59.99 SRP.
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Appearance: Pale Gold
Nose: Initially this felt rich without being overpowering. Surprisingly alcohol is still present although muted. Spring flowers with light milled grains slowly release from the nose. On the back end is the distinct sour yeast aroma as it warms up. Almost a lager or pilsner malt note.
Taste: Yeas forward which gives way to some bready, malty flavors. The whiskey is very dry and soaks up all the moisture in your mouth. After a sip or two I was able to discover some good sour notes with balanced flavorings lemon zest. The finish was quick, a little too quick. There is a residual taste of earthiness on the back end. A small warmth in the chest but otherwise very soft across all aspects of the sip.
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