Tag: Redwood Empire

Hannah’s Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Review

Original review written September 21, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Simple, grassy, but fairly affordable. If you like your whiskeys paying homage to the world of grain, this is a bourbon for you. It’s an easy-sipping addition to any bunker, if not a little plain. 85/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Graton, California, USA
– Distiller: Undisclosed distilleries in California, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee
– Company: Redwood Empire Distilling
– Age: a blend of 4-12 yr old bourbons
– Mash Bill: Corn=75%; Raw Rye=21%; Malted Barley=4%
– Casks: undisclosed char
– Barrel Entry Proof: undisclosed
– ABV: 45% (90 proof)
– Price: $39.95 USD in California in 2022

“Named for the 14th tallest tree on the planet, Pipe Dream is our first Bourbon whiskey. Pipe Dream Bourbon is made from barrels aged between four and twelve years with a high corn mash bill. Smooth and complex, it is a true sipping whiskey.

FOR EVERY BOTTLE SOLD, WE’LL PLANT A TREE”

Visit redwoodempirewhiskey.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with my sister Elora, along with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

This bourbon is initially striking in its contrast, though it loses it in the palate. I’d love to have Redwood Empire on a cliffside or in the waves, watching flame rivers of lava fall into the ocean, being caught in the spray all the while. This bourbon would ground you in a turbulent environment, and perhaps it’d be that environment that would bring out the best in this bourbon.

Photo by Buzz Andersen on Unsplash

NOSE:

This bourbon crosses the nose with a mellow, yet seasoned pine chased by a salted peanut. The peanuts almost seem encased in a toffee, but it’s not necessarily sweet. Much of this bourbon smells quite savory, with bay leaves, thyme, and a sprinkle of black pepper offering a steep contrast to the toffee – nearly smothering it, in fact. Further contrasts are offered in clashing of the aforementioned salt (now taking on a briny essence like an ocean) and a scorched earth component. Char from wood bark is met with the burnt sap from within, creating such a mixture, it’s absolutely captivating. The alcohol is soft – no chance of feeling a bite if you’re experienced with whiskey.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: This has an effervescence to it, feelings raspy as if I have pulled a shoot of grass across the palate.
– Balance: Heavy on the grasses and grains – a flavor I don’t mind, but it would be nice to have some extra complexity.
– Visual: Honey in color, this fades to leave behind a faint ring, but it does linger for a significantly long period of time.

– Taste: I can let this sit on my palate almost indefinitely without feeling the slightest hint of a burn. When I push it across the palate, it’s as if I’m chewing on a reed or tall blade of grass. There’s a chewy starch, coupled with some moisture that prevents the flavor from being a distinct hay. I can find rye apart from the grass that offers both a spice and freshness to this bourbon, but it doesn’t change the tone of it much. This tastes fine, but I will admit it to being a one-note wonder. Fortunately for this whiskey, it’s a good note.

Looking for more complexity, I go for the Kentucky chew, and while I find the alcohol waking up (a little), the grass/reed element is still the most potent component of this whiskey.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. I can feel the warmth of the bourbon linger, but it isn’t particularly aggressive and there aren’t many other flavors contributing.
– Between Sips: Grass, grass, and grass are found here in this pause. If I squint, there are some raisins, but they are so fleeting, they hardly count.

– No More: The mouth feel really is what makes this bourbon. It doesn’t get worse from an objective perspective; however, I am starting to long for some complexity.

The empty Glencairn is actually a bit empty in its aroma. There’s oak, but it is oak to hunt for with deep inhales and the nose shoved into the glass. For a bourbon so heavy in its earth component everywhere else, I’m surprised to find it so lacking here.

WORTH THE PRICE?

For $40, you’re not getting robbed, and I won’t have difficulty finishing this, as I do like grassy bourbons. But this is a bit simple for me to ever consider keeping it a permanent addition in the bunker (in the hypothetical situation where I could buy it any time I wanted). I *do* think it’s worth $40, but it’s not a flavor I’m constantly seeking out.

REDWOOD EMPIRE PIPE DREAM REVIEW RATING: 85/100

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Click Redwood Empire to see more whiskeys from this brand.

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