Overview: Redwood Empire is one of many newer distilleries that's been following the tried and true model: source aged distillate, blend and bottle while setting up your own production, and eventually start blending in your own juice. They were established in 2015 and have been steadily expanding their lineup. I've tried a few of their other releases and have generally been pleased, if not blown away. They're generally very affordable, at least here in California. I can't say for sure what the exact distillate is in this bottle, as the label only states "A Blend of Straight Whiskeys" and "Bottled in Graton, CA". This latest review is for their Bourbon, Rye blend (aka Bourye). Let's see how it stacks up.
Age: 3 years
Proof: 90 proof (45% ABV)
Mashbill: Not disclosed. Their website reads it is a blend of 55% Rye, 45% Bourbon
Nose: Right off the bat, the nose is rye-forward. Baking spices abound... nutmeg, clove, a hint of pumpkin spice, and just a touch of caramel sweetness. As it sits and opens up, some youthful notes emerge - a bit of grassiness, but it's not overpowering. With a 3-year age statement, I suspect a good portion of the blend is young, so this isn't surprising. I also get some oak and corn notes peeking through.
Palate: The first sip tastes a bit hotter than 90 proof, which isn't ideal. There's a touch of ethanol and some "sharp edges" indicating youth, but these start to fade on subsequent sips. For a young and inexpensive bottle, it does start to show some complexity. The rye notes from the nose are present, but now the bourbon makes its entrance: caramel, cherry, blackberry, and vanilla, though they remain in the background.
Finish: The finish is longer than is typical for a 90-proof whiskey, but that's mostly due to the high rye content in the blend. Clove, cinnamon, and pepper linger. It makes me want to revisit the glass to see if I can tease out any more notes.
Final Thoughts: This isn't going to be my go-to sipper, but it's decently complex and enjoyable enough to make very solid cocktails and occasionally sip neat. The blend has a pleasant amount of complexity, but think "kid's roller coaster" and not an "adult roller coaster" that you need a shoulder harness for. I'll likely pick up another bottle down the line. I'm curious to see how Redwood Empire's lineup continues to evolve, both with new releases and how current releases, like this one, change in the coming years.
Rating: Bottom Shelf - Link to ratings explanations
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