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Redemption Bourbon vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Redemption Bourbon and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, rye-forward blend versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Redemption Bourbon | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 | ~$16 – $22 ~$10 less |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Redemption Bourbon Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/5 spice: Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).