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.
Ancient monoliths rise precipitously out of thick ferns and misty foliage, invoking the majesty of a time when giants stalked the earth. If you’ve ever been to the redwood forests that guard the North California coastline, you know exactly the scene I’m talking about. These giants inspire awe, rising up hundreds of feet on trunks large enough to fit a car through. So it is with excitement that I reviewed the three cask strength whiskeys from California’s Redwood Empire Distillery.
Redwood Empire Distilling got its start by selecting and sourcing whiskey distilled elsewhere to create whiskeys of distinct character as they grew their operation. By 2015, the company settled on three expressions for their core range: The Pipe Dream Bourbon, the Emerald Giant Rye, and the Lost Monarch, each named after a notable ancient redwood tree.
Each whiskey is a blend of whiskeys, including a portion of their own in-house distillate. The whiskey is aged on the North California coast line, a place founder Derek Benham and master distiller Jeff Duckhorn chose because of its consistent climate and humidity. This allows for a slow and even extraction in the aging process, as opposed to the highly variable temperatures seen in the aging of Kentucky or Tennessee whiskey.
In October of 2022, Redwood Empire released its first cask strength version of core range. “We are extremely proud of the craft and complexity that our Cask Strength showcases,” said Master Distiller Jeff Duckhorn at the time. “Experiencing Redwood Empire straight from the barrel is the preferred way I enjoy our whiskeys!” These expressions were wildly successful, each winning awards from several spirit conventions and garnering high ratings from review panels.
What sets apart cask strength whiskeys from others you ask? Purists argue that cask strength whiskey is the ideal form as it gives you the greatest access to the original product, straight from the cask, undiluted by added water, and is almost always non-chill filtered, meaning nothing has been removed from the whiskey to make it appear clearer.
In this state, the whiskey allows a drinker to have the greatest control over how much water to add, if any (there is a compelling case for why some should be added), instead of being decided by the distiller. A good comparison is the use of manual transmission by race car drivers as they provide advantage of efficiency and control over automatics, even though automatics offer an easier driving experience to the average consumer.
For example, when drinking bourbon, I prefer a cask strength spirit with a single medium ice cube. The cooler temperature and slight dilution allows me to enjoy more of the caramel and toasted oak flavors.
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To the spirit being reviewed today, the Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Cask Strength Blended Whiskey 2023 version appears to be a blend of a rye and a bourbon. My guess is Redwood Empire uses both the Redwood Empire Emerald Giant and the Redwood Empire Pipe Dream whiskey to create this product, given that the mash bills of the whiskeys contributing to the Redwood Empire Lost Monarch exactly match the mash bills of those two.
A blend of whiskeys ranging from 3 years to 12 years, it clocks in at 117.2 proof (58.6%), and boy, it does an excellent job of balancing the two. Redwood Empire takes the best from the rye and bourbon, presenting the drinker with a full rye experience but softening the edges with the distinct bourbon caramel and oak. What the Redwood Empire Pipe Dream and Redwood Empire Emerald Giant lack in unique character within their categories, they find amply in their combination.
Tasting Notes: Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Cask Strength Whiskey 2023
Vital Stats: A blend of rye and bourbon whiskeys, each aged between 3 to 12 years. 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV). $70/750ml.
Appearance: Rich yellow, like clover honey.
Nose: Surprising mint notes float over a core of treacle and milk chocolate. Astringent black pepper asparagus lingers on the end.
Palate: The soft honey present in the Redwood Empire Emerald Giant starts off, with light spicy anise and sweet coconut embodying the bulk of the palate. Warm leather weaves its way into the finish.
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