Redemption Bourbon 18 Year The Ancients 750ML

Redemption Bourbon 18 Year The Ancients 750ML is an 18-year-old straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 51.7% ABV (103.4 proof) in a 750ml format. Named Rolling Stone's "World's Best Whiskey of 2025" and awarded Double Gold medals at both the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the 2025 New York International Spirits Competition, this release represents one of the most critically acclaimed American whiskeys in recent memory.

Quick Facts: ABV: 51.7% (103.4 proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA  |  18 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: MGP

Production & Heritage

The Ancients was distilled in 2006 at MGP's historic Lawrenceburg, Indiana facility — the former Seagram's distillery long regarded as one of America's most prolific sources of high-quality bourbon and rye whiskey. What distinguishes this expression is its blend of two distinct mashbills: a classic 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley alongside a high-rye recipe of 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley. The 2006 distillation vintage is considered legendary among MGP stocks, with barrels from that year widely recognized as some of the finest bourbon and rye whiskey the distillery has produced. After 18 years maturing in charred American oak barrels, The Ancients was bottled non-chill filtered to preserve maximum flavor and texture.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an intense wave of dark cherry — described by critics as reminiscent of cherry candy melted atop a charred oak stave. Layers of crushed raspberry, ripe peach skin, and pomegranate juice follow, creating a fruit-forward bouquet with serious depth.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, immediately delivering concentrated cherry and brown sugar flavors. The mid-palate darkens with pipe tobacco, aged leather, and black pepper, while flamed orange peel adds aromatic complexity. A dual-mashbill structure gives the bourbon both sweetness from the corn-heavy recipe and assertive spice from the high-rye component, resulting in a layered, multidimensional palate. Loads of tannins contribute cigar box and wood varnish character alongside oxidized cherry notes.

Finish: Exceptionally long, with cherry cordial lingering well past the swallow as a building mint note emerges. Oak and vanilla anchor the back end, with a trailing hint of dark cherry that refuses to fade.

How to Drink The Ancients

At 18 years old and 103.4 proof, The Ancients rewards patient, neat sipping — pour it, let it rest for five to ten minutes, and allow the aromatics to fully develop. A few drops of water can open up additional fruit notes without diminishing the tannic structure. For those inclined toward cocktails, three serve it well: an Old Fashioned, where the bourbon's cherry and brown sugar notes amplify the classic template; a Boulevardier, where the tobacco and leather character stands up to Campari's bitterness; and a Vieux Carré, where the high-rye spice and aged complexity mirror the cocktail's own layered design.

Best For

• Gifting a serious whiskey collector or enthusiast who values award-winning releases
• Anchoring a special celebration — milestone birthday, retirement, or anniversary
• Adding a trophy bottle to a curated home bar
• Side-by-side tastings comparing ultra-aged bourbons from different distilleries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Ancients taste like? The dominant profile centers on dark cherry, pipe tobacco, leather, and brown sugar, supported by black pepper spice and a long cherry cordial finish. It is a rich, tannic bourbon with notable fruit-forward character for its age.

How does The Ancients compare to Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year? Robb Report directly compared the two and declared The Ancients "better than Pappy 23," noting Redemption's dual-mashbill complexity and vibrant fruit character as differentiators. Both are ultra-aged bourbons, but The Ancients carries a higher proof at 103.4, delivering more intensity and texture than Pappy 23's lower bottling strength.

Is The Ancients good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 18-year maturity, non-chill filtered bottling, and 103.4 proof make it ideally suited for neat consumption, where its full range of tannins, fruit, and tobacco notes can be appreciated without dilution.

Where is The Ancients made? The Ancients is distilled at MGP's facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a historic distillery originally built by Seagram's that has become one of the most respected bourbon and rye whiskey producers in the United States.

What foods pair well with The Ancients? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cherry and brown sugar sweetness. Smoked brisket mirrors the bourbon's tobacco and leather notes. Aged Gouda or Comté cheeses echo the caramelized, nutty undertones. Pecan pie works alongside the vanilla and oak, and a charcuterie board featuring cured meats and dried fruits bridges the savory and fruit-forward elements.

What sizes does The Ancients come in? Redemption Bourbon 18 Year The Ancients is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is The Ancients worth the price? The Ancients positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier of American whiskey, and its combination of an 18-year age statement, Double Gold medals from two major competitions, a 96-point rating from The Daily Pour, and Rolling Stone's "World's Best Whiskey" designation provides substantial critical validation for its price point.

Why The Ancients?

Few American whiskeys enter the market with the kind of critical consensus The Ancients has earned — Double Gold at both the San Francisco and New York International competitions, a 96-point score from The Daily Pour (their highest-rated whiskey of 2025), and Rolling Stone's top overall honor. The dual-mashbill blending approach, combining a traditional bourbon recipe with a high-rye variant, produces a layered complexity that pure single-mashbill bourbons at this age rarely achieve. The 2006 MGP distillation vintage carries a reputation among whiskey insiders as a benchmark year, and 18 years in charred American oak has yielded a bourbon that balances tannic weight with persistent fruit vibrancy. For collectors and drinkers seeking an ultra-aged bourbon backed by verifiable critical acclaim rather than hype alone, The Ancients makes a compelling case.