Redemption Whiskey’s Sur Lee Becomes a Permanent Fixture

Redemption Whiskey has officially made its Sur Lee straight rye whiskey a permanent part of their Specialty Series portfolio, signaling a major step for this distinctive spirit, which uses a creative aging process. The company cites growing interest from both longtime whiskey fans and those new to the brand as the driving force behind this decision.

The term “Sur Lie” comes from French winemaking, where the wine ages on its lees—the dead yeast cells—adding complexity and a richer texture. Redemption took inspiration from this technique, applying it to their rye whiskey by incorporating “whiskey lees” into the barrels during the aging process. This innovation enhances the whiskey’s flavor and depth, giving it the name “Sur Lee.”

“What initially drew me to this method was its untapped potential,” said Alan Kennedy, Redemption Whiskey’s master blender, in an interview with Forbes. “No one had ever applied it to whiskey before, and it offered a unique opportunity to deepen rye’s complexity and evolve the whiskey into something truly remarkable.”

According to Kennedy, the result is a whiskey that is both intricate and multi-layered. “You’ll find floral notes up front, followed by a nutty backdrop,” he says. “Then decadent, buttery flavors of toasted marshmallow, maple, and nutmeg. All of this is perfectly balanced with a lingering spicy finish that leaves a lasting impression.”

The journey to develop this method wasn’t without its challenges. Kennedy admitted that when they first envisioned the Sur Lee expression at Redemption, they were stepping into unknown territory. “We weren’t certain how the whiskey lees would influence our rye mash bill,” Kennedy shared. “Our biggest challenge was understanding the impact of this technique and finding the right balance. With such an unconventional approach, it was crucial that the process didn’t overpower the essence of our rye but instead pushed its boundaries.”

The foundation of Redemption Sur Lee is a classic pre-Prohibition rye mash bill—95% rye and 5% barley—with an ABV of about 47%. But this unconventional whiskey also required new techniques and adjustments to the traditional process. “Almost every step in the whiskey-making process had to be modified,” Kennedy noted.