Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
I first encountered Redwood Empire “in the wild,” tucked in the shelves of a massive Chicago liquor store. I had just received some good news (a rarity at the time) and decided to celebrate by treating myself to a bottle of whiskey. Equipped with a good mood and a budget of $35 (a ridiculous sum for a graduate student to spend on anything), I expected to wander the aisles for thirty minutes or so before making a decision.
But nearly immediately I was struck by the distinct label of a bottle I’d never seen before. I barely walked to the end of the aisle before shrugging and admitting to myself that I’m a sucker for a John Muir quote and good design. I purchased the bottle and strolled home to enjoy.
I’m well aware of the numerous deficiencies of this decision making process, but in this case it turned out pretty well. The bottle of Lost Monarch I picked up was a solid value at the price point and from that first bottle on I’ve gone out of my way to give Redwood Empire a try when I have the opportunity.
As I read up on the producer, I found it easy to appreciate Redwood Empire brand inside the bottle and out. Since launching in 2018, Redwood Empire has slowly moved from bottling sourced to self-produced whiskey, aging their juice in the Northern California region from which they take their name. It’s not surprising then that they take inspiration from John Muir who championed the protection of California’s natural spaces.
And lest they be accused of taking the legendary conservationist’s name in vain, their website states that “Redwood Empire is more than a cool name, its our home and a source of inspiration. With John Muir as our guide, protecting our environment has become our mantra. We have built sustainability into everything we do. Our still allows us to distill in a single pass, preserving both water and energy. Local farmers use our nutrient rich mash as feed for livestock. And our state of the art water reclamation facility assures only pure water re-enters our water table”.
Today I have the opportunity to taste the second batch of Redwood Empire’s Grizzly Beast, a Bottled-in-bond straight bourbon whiskey. This release is touted as the product of a single season, single distillery bottle.
Tasting Notes: Redwood Empire Grizzly Beast Batch 2
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Vital Stats: Aged 5 years, 100 proof, $90 MSRP
Appearance: Honey colored and somewhat light bodied.
Nose: Toasty marshmallow, cola, and wet earth– One inhalation and I was checking my mental calendar for the next good opportunity for a camping trip.
Palate: Very light on the tongue. The major notes are honey graham cracker and nougat with the barrel char taking over near the end for a sort of burnt-but-bright creme brulee finish.
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