Redwood Empire 12 Year Haystack Needle Double Barrel Chardonnay Cask Finish

Neat. Neck pour. Super excited to try this. My cousin grabbed this for me across the country, never seen a Redwood pick in my area. It’s 12 year MGP, 21% rye then finished in Chardonnay barrels in three to four months. This one is from Westmoreland Liquor. The nose, right off the bat, is incredible. The Chardonnay goes so well with the 12 year MGP. Fresh berries on the nose. Blueberries. Covered in a maple, cinnamon glaze with a graham cracker buttery crust. Toffee and butterscotch sweetness offset by a nice oak presence. Hint of leather and dark cherry. Just too notch. Mouthfeel is perfect. Silky. Cinnamon and cherry dominate the tongue immediately. Vanilla too. This has an immediate flavor punch. Transitions into familiar MGP mid-palate. Butterscotch, graham cracker. Oh it shines on the finish. This is where the finishing elevates this pour. The finish really brings a distinct burst of Chardonnay that is perfectly in balance with the oak and MGP flavors. The Chardonnay is dry and really brightens the direction but then the oak and the MGP sweetness all hit you at once creating a flavor fusion. What a treat! This goes toe to toe with my favorite finished MGP bourbons from Joseph Magnus or Bardstown. It’s incredible.

Vanilla and red apples with grapes. Very light. Taste like springtime.

decent, didn’t do much for me over a solid bourbon