Lately, Sonoma-based Graton Distillery debuted cask power variations of its forest-inspired core lineup: Misplaced Monarch, Pipe Dream, and Emerald Large. For particulars on every of the bushes that impressed these names, you’ll be able to flip again to our evaluations from 2019. Specifics on the whiskeys themselves are coated in our evaluations beneath, however all are presumably a mix of house-distilled and sourced whiskey, given the famous ages, and every is alleged to showcase a lower-than-normal cask power proof because of the temperate local weather of California’s fog belt the place the whiskeys are aged.
Redwood Empire Cask Energy Pipe Dream Bourbon – Created from a mashbill of 74% corn, 20% uncooked rye, 4.5% malt barley, and 1.5% wheat and aged for no less than 4 years with parts as outdated as twelve years. The aroma hits with fairly a little bit of alcohol, even after time to air out. The identical peanut and popcorn notes present in the usual providing dominate, maybe a bit extra roasted and buttered, respectively. Regardless of the presence of older inventory, issues nonetheless come throughout fairly undercooked and youthful. The palate advantages extra from the upper proof with large notes of praline and peanut brittle, darkish brown sugar and freshly floor baking spices. The sweetness is well-tempered by the bolder spirit character, amplifying its creamy texture, which extends into an extended, heat end accented by honey roasted peanuts, cola, and darkish caramel. Reviewed: Batch #001. 116.8 proof. B / $70
Redwood Empire Cask Energy Emerald Large Rye – Created from a mashbill of 94% rye, 5% malted barley, and 1% wheat and aged for no less than three years with parts as outdated as fourteen years. Vivid and crisp on the nostril, that is traditional stuff at first blush and fairly approachable for a cask power whiskey, with notes of spearmint and clove. The palate is spicy and spirit-forward, a bit shocking given the delicate aroma. Issues kick off with loads of earthy rye spice. It’s truly a bit gritty on the outset, however issues enhance with constructing notes of caramel sauce and apple pie filling that carry throughout the mid palate. It takes its foot off the gasoline because it hits the end, nevertheless, with drying uncooked wooden and peppercorn notes providing a bit an excessive amount of spice. In all probability exhibits effectively in a cocktail, however for sipping, I choose the usual power. Reviewed: Batch #001. 116.4 proof. B / $70
Redwood Empire Cask Energy Misplaced Monarch Blended Whiskey – Created from a mix of Pipe Dream and Emerald Large. The brighter rye spice of Emerald Large has completed wonders to enhance the grain-forward nature of the Pipe Dream element, not less than on the nostril. Notes of muddled mint, Cracker Jacks, ingesting cocoa, and a little bit of candy creamed corn make for an interesting aroma. On the palate, the numerous dimensions of this cask power mix are a bit scattered however handle to return collectively effectively sufficient. Issues start with a punchy rye spice and a few dried stone fruit earlier than segueing to darker baking spices and caramel corn. The Emerald Large element makes an attempt to muscle in on the end with numerous pepper and oak, however the creamy sweetness of the Pipe Dream helps to salvage and prolong the expertise with lingering notes of butterscotch pudding and uncooked honey. Reviewed: Batch #001. 117.2 proof. B+ / $70
Redwood Empire Cask Energy Pipe Dream Bourbon
$70
About Submit Writer
