Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Whiskey

Rating: 15/23 Nose: Sweet corn against a background of woody vanilla. There are also some classic herbal rye scents. Palate: A fragrant, floral, vanilla flavor, with herbal notes and restrained graininess (notably, herbal, sweet, floral flavors followed by more classic herbal flavors). There's some malty sweetness that also has a bit of tangerine and orange peel, but that's all quite subtle. Finish: A little bitterness and clean water, but it's also floral with plenty of vanilla. It almost seems like it wants some rich orange, but I still detect some malt or something. - Conclusion - This is definitely better than Redwood Empire Pipe Dream (12/23). It's richer, fuller, and more interesting. There's more rye flavor too. This is much better, although it's far from amazing. I actually enjoy this somewhat, unlike the Pipe Dream. Russell's Reserve 10 (16/23) is superior to this, but not by a wide margin. Honestly, I expected this to be a 14, but it really could be a 15. It's a tough call, but I'm leaning towards a 15. I really appreciate that rich, complex rye character.

I'm unsure what to say. You might enjoy this. I obtained a High West American Prairie finished in scotch barrels and a Glenfiddich scotch finished in bourbon barrels. I disliked both. Finished bourbons like Doc Swinsons, Isaac Bowman, Derringer, Rabbit Hole, and others haven't impressed me. I prefer my scotch to be purely scotch, bourbon to be purely bourbon, and cognac to be purely cognac. As a child, I mixed all my sodas at Pizza Hut due to pressure from acquaintances and found it awful. I don't particularly like my side dishes touching my main meal. In my view, finished and blended whiskeys remind me of being a kid with paints, thinking mixing them would create a new color, only for it to turn into an ugly brownish-gray. If my thoughts resonate with you, this might be a bottle to skip. If I sound like someone who dislikes change, this could be perfect for you.

The aroma of this spirit is a blend of citrus, cinnamon, and butterscotch. It's a sweet and spicy combination that builds anticipation. This reminds me exactly of the orange cinnamon rolls my mother made every Christmas morning. It's a velvety spirit that reveals the rich warmth of a cinnamon roll on the palate. Each sip carries the comforting essence of cinnamon, blended with subtle vanilla notes, creating a fantastic flavor profile. As the taste develops, a delicate hint of sweet and citrusy orange icing emerges. Delicious! This is an excellent bourbon for the price. The attractive bottle is also a bonus; I enjoy having it on display. I will need to get another soon.

I bought this a few weeks ago intending to have it as my pre-Thanksgiving drink.... The aroma is gentle and inviting, with very subtle berry notes, very subtle. Upon the first taste I was surprised... Is this 90 proof?... This blended bottle (bourbon/rye) is very gentle, yet spicy, and it has a sweetness that reminds me of drizzled honey. Throughout my sips I could detect faint notes of apple, perhaps a green apple... Not the candy kind but more of a natural flavor. Yes, it's different from my usual bourbons (WT101, EC, BT, EW BiB, etc), but sometimes different is good. I definitely want to try the other varieties from Redwood Empire. As for tonight, I'll keep sipping... Happy Thanksgiving.

Pleasant bourbon and rye whiskey blend. It genuinely tastes like a mix of bourbon and rye. The aroma offers sweet vanilla, gentle oak, a touch of caramel, classic rye spice, and a hint of herbal grass. Much of that carries over to the taste, where the rye notes slightly dominate the bourbon. The finish is quite brief, and I wished for more length, but there's a hint of toasted marshmallow at the end. My initial servings were enjoyable, but it lost some appeal as I progressed through the bottle. For its cost, around $30, it's a decent drink. With some areas needing improvement and others being adequate, I'd call it a fairly standard whiskey.

I was quite eager when I first acquired this and couldn't wait to sample it. I brought it home and genuinely disliked it; I'm trying it again after it has rested for three months. On the aroma, I detect oak and abundant rye spice, a subtle hint of mint, and some cereal-like notes. On the palate, there's a brief surge of sweetness, followed by rye spices that are very mild, then I perceive oak and some warmth from the rye. Additionally, I detect those cereal/floral/earthy notes on the finish. It's definitely less harsh than when I first tasted it, but overall, I'm uncertain if this will rank as highly for me as some others. My experience with rye is limited, so I need to acclimatize to the spice and other characteristics found in this grain.