3.81 Decent
Whiskey American Whiskey USA 58.6% ABV
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This is the second cask strength iteration of Redwood Empire's Lost Monarch whiskey, a "ryebon" offering that blends straight rye and straight bourbon. The rye component has a mash bill of 94% rye, 5% malted barley, and 1% wheat, while the bourbon is composed of 74% corn, 20% rye, 4.5% malted barley, and 1.5% wheat. The whiskeys used were aged for a minimum of three years and up to 14 years in 53-gallon, char #3 barrels. Due to aging in the California fog belt, the cask strength proof is 117.2, which is lower than many similar offerings. Cask Strength Lost Monarch has been available nationwide at select retailers since May 2023, with a suggested retail price of $70.
Showing the most detailed of 5 parsed reviews.
The aroma offers cinnamon, subtle hints of biscuit dough, and a trace of earthiness. The taste, however, is vibrant and creamy, with a pleasant spiciness and a lingering vanilla flavor, along with a very satisfying texture. Imagine a liquified, highly alcoholic spice cake topped with cream cheese frosting, and you're close.
Nose: musty, green apple, char/toast, reminiscent of the smell of rain outdoors. Palate: very mineral - reminds me of Dickel, rye, pepper, herbal. It's just okay. I'd prefer the standard release for half the price. I don't like that mineral taste. The green apple is the best aspect of this whiskey. I'd rather have the Sagamore Cask Strength for $55.
The aroma is somewhat subdued, with notes of apple, rye, toasted caramel, musty barrel, and corn. It's relatively smooth on the palate but quite spicy, featuring lots of rye, apple, cinnamon, barrel char, mint and other herbs, pepper, and burnt caramel. The finish is spicy, charred, and lightly fruity, with rye and a trace of black cherry in the background.
The aroma presents as baking spice and caramel with some intense ethanol notes. There's also a faint musty aged note present. The flavor is an interesting combination of mineral caramel, finishing drier than anticipated. It's certainly unique as a blend, but I enjoy the lingering sensation on the tongue.
Initially, I wasn't fond of this spirit over the first few servings, but upon revisiting, it revealed a more harmonious profile with a bitter pine note complemented by ample sweetness. It's a respectable bottle, though I would opt for a different expression from this producer next time.
Same style and price bracket, best rated first.
