Red Dead Redemption is a story that is reflective of it\’s title. You play as Arthur Morgan, an outlaw in a gang that is slowly coming to grips with the reality that their days of roaming the Wild West are over and they are some of the last of their kind. As Arthur recognizes this he\’s at odds with the group leader, Dutch Van Der Linde, who is not ready to give up the control to which he has become accustomed. Dutch is a man with a code and principles that he touts regularly, but the encroaching threat of civilization causes him to react more and more like a cornered animal, and you begin to see through the thin veneer of that code as he struggles to stay one step ahead of the law. \”We\’re thieves in a world that don\’t want us no more.\” – Arthur Morgan
Highland Queen Majesty 15 year old scotch is a nice trip into the highland region of Scotland. The flavors of this scotch evoke the wild and varied landscape of the Highlands from which it originates and that variety is reflected in the landscape of this game. The spice, vanilla, and other flavors are somewhat reminiscent of an American bourbon which also connects it closer to RDR2.
Nose:
-Game: To say that RDR2 is a beautiful game is an understatement. The massive old west open world that you are able to explore is full of vibrant colors and rich detail that fully immerse you into the experience of being an outlaw on the edge of civilization. I have a tendency to rush through open world games like this because I just want to experience the main story, but this game instantly made me want to slow down and truly explore the world and the random encounters and side missions that sometimes have stories that are almost as interesting as the main plot. The wide variety of environments beg you to explore everywhere from the heights of the snow capped mountains to the depths of the dense forests teeming with wildlife, to the bustling city of Saint Denis, loosely based on New Orleans.
-Scotch: The initial earthy aroma from this scotch evokes the smell of the dirt or mud as you wander through a backwater town like Valentine or Strawberry. There are notes of vanilla coming through as well, though they are subtle.
Palate:
-Game: I know its an often used phrase in game reviews, but the game genuinely makes you feel like an outlaw in the old west, while it is still largely untamed. It does this in some cases by forcing you to slow down the pace of your gameplay and walk the muddy main street of a settlement, getting called out in a bar fight and standing ready to draw your gun to survive. You make your way through forests tracking wildlife to hunt. Holding up a stagecoach has a real thrill to it because you don\’t always know how the occupants will react when you draw your gun. And between all the excitement and exploration there are incredibly heartfelt moments back in your camp. Sitting next to your fellow outlaws at a roaring campfire, drinking and singing songs to celebrate another day of freedom in the wild world. Just going fishing with another character, learning about their background and how they came to be part of the gang puts you that much further into the experience of the character.
-Scotch: The bite from the alcohol is strong up front in this whiskey (a few drops of water help with that) and beyond that there are flavors of honey, vanilla, very mild spice and citrus as well. That bite up front is analogous to the hard and rough exterior of the gang that is seen by the rest of the civilized world as they roam from town to town in search of jobs and cons to make money. They are generally distrustful of outsiders and are likely to kill you if they feel threatened. But, once past that harsh exterior, that\’s where the sweetness of the vanilla and honey comes in to play. They treat one another as a family. You have deep and personal relationships that you take part in as Arthur, or that you see happening around the camp.
Finish:
-Game: \”These violent delights have violent ends.\” A great quote from West World (or Romeo and Juliet for you intellectuals) sort of sums up what is the driving point of this story. Vengeance and paranoia becomes an endless cycle from which it becomes very difficult to break free. This is what leads to the downfall of Dutch and his gang. Arthur starts to see it and tries to come to grips with the change he sees in the man he has always regarded as a wise mentor and a caring leader. \”Vengeance is an idiot\’s game\” -Arthur Morgan. Arthur is one of the best protagonists I\’ve experienced, using seemingly simple words to convey deep and meaningful messages regarding existence, purpose, and morality. \”We\’re more ghosts than people.\”
-Scotch: This scotch has a decent smooth finish and it is here where you get some of the mild smoke flavor as well as more of the spice. It\’s a nice finish and leaves you satisfied, just like the conclusion of this western adventure. The sun sets on Arthur\’s story as he has made the best of efforts to redeem the final good that was left of their gang.
(I felt the need to provide this standout conversation between Arthur and a bartender in Saint Denis):
Arthur Morgan: \”A dollar for a whiskey?!\”
Bartender: \”Yes sir, this here\’s the good stuff, straight from Scotland!\”
Like whiskey from Scotland, this game is the good stuff.
Story Mode Scotch 