Redwood Empire Whiskey pays homepage to mighty Redwoods of Northern CA — ruling from San Francisco to Humbolt Bay and up to the Oregon border — as well as the John Muir, popular naturalist, conservationists, and the Father of the National Parks. Graton Distilling Company revitalized an old apple processing plant in a small town in Sonoma County.
Derek Behnam, an entrepreneur and wine enthusiast, planted his roots in Graton, CA in 2016. Graton Distilling Co. started offering Gin and Vodka but soon branched out to whiskeys. It’s also honoring Sonoma County’s deep roots in the wine industry by blending with wine cask finished whiskeys and also offering bourbon finished in wine casks.
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Table of Contents
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon
| Pipe Dream Bourbon | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 90 Proof |
| ABV | 45% |
| Mashbill | 75% corn, 21% raw rye and 4% malted barley |
| Distilled and Aged | MGP and No Cal |
| Age | 4, 5, and 11-years-old |
| Style | Blended Bourbon |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $44 |
| Distillery | Graton Distilling Co. 9119 Graton Rd. Graton, CA 95444 |
| Pros | Love the Fruity Nose |
| Cons | Needs More Complexity on Palate |
| Availability | Limited Distribution |
| Rating | Silver 87 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Daily Drinker |
| Buy Online | Buy Online |
Glass completely covered with oily bourbon. Slow but long legs cote the inside of my glass. Color is honey and bronze.
Nose – 89 out of 100 Points
This nose has deep, rich cooked down red fruit with savory baking spice and caramel.
Taste – 86 out of 100 Points
Just a hint of that cooked-down fruit. It’s mostly baking spice and caramel walnuts. It’s dry on the palate but creamy with some oak and oatmeal.
Finish – 86 out of 100 Points
The finish is medium. More dry but creamy baking spice and oatmeal.
Verdict – Silver 87 out of 100 Points
A solid drinking experience from glass to finish. I do wish more of that fruity note would’ve come through in the palate. It would’ve added more complexity and intrigue.
Awards
- 94 Points – Tasting Panel Magazine (2020)
- Double Gold – SIP Awards (2020)
- Double Gold San Diego Spirits Festival (2020)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey
| Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 90 Proof |
| ABV | 45% |
| Mashbill | 75% corn, 21% raw rye and 4% malted barley |
| Distilled and Aged | MGP and No Cal |
| Age | 2 to 3-years-old |
| Style | Blend of 3 Year from MGP and 2 Year of Their Own Distillate |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $34.99 |
| Pros | Coming Soon |
| Cons | Coming Soon |
| Availability | Limited Distribution |
| Rating | Coming Soon |
| Inventory | Coming Soon |
| Buy Online | Buy Online |
Full review coming soon
Awards
- 97 Points Tasting Panel Magazine (2019)
- Double Gold Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards (2019)
- Double Gold Sunset Magazine International Spirits Competition (2019)
Redwood Empire Lost Monarch American Whiskey
| Lost Monarch American Whiskey | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 90 Proof |
| ABV | 45% |
| Mashbill | Mixed |
| Distilled and Aged | MGP and No Cal |
| Age | 3-year-old rye (MGP) 2-year-old rye (house) 4, 5, and 11-yeara-old bourbon |
| Style | Blend MGP and Their Own Distillate 60% rye and 40% bourbon Some cask finished in port, California chardonnay, and zinfandel included |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $34.99 |
| Pros | Amazing Value, Great Sipper |
| Cons | Lacks Elite Complexity |
| Availability | Limited Distribution |
| Rating | Silver 87.3 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Buy It |
| Buy Online | Buy Online |
Nose – 87 out of 100 Points
The upfront aroma is bright red fruit followed by baking spice and toasted oak. It’s a pleasant enough nose but I wish it were more compelling.
Taste – 88 out of 100 Points
It reminds me of Greek yogurt with fresh red fruit. It’s also has a nice baking spice and toasted oak on the mid-palate. The creaminess boosts the drinking experience for me. There’s also vanilla and caramel. It’s refreshing.
Finish – 87 out of 100 Points
The finish is medium. Baking spice is prominent with hints of white pepper rounded out with those sweet fruit notes.
Verdict – Silver 87.3 out of 100 Points
Lost Monarch is a delicious sipper. It could be a great whiskey with more complexity and depth.
Awards
- Double Gold SIP Awards (2020)
- Gold Medal Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards (2019)
- 94 Points Cigar and Spirits Magazine (2017)
Redwood Empire Haystack Needle (Wine Cask Finished)
What would you expect from a whiskey distillery in Northern California? Their single barrel bourbons are offered in three cask finishes — chardonnay, port, and cabernet. I’ve yet to see one of these less than 12 years but I’ve seen some as old as 14. I’m on the hunt for some samples of all three to give a full review.
Chardonnay Cask
Full Review Coming Soon
Port Cask
Full Review Coming Soon
Cabernet Cask
Full Review Coming Soon
Which Redwood Empire Whiskey is best?
Check out the Mash and Drums review of the three main expressions to find out:
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Written by Matty Sims
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