Medium amber pour that noses very nicely and is quite interesting. The rye packs a bit more punch than expected with some nice spice notes, and a floral/herbal/hay-like character that is inescapable. Plenty of classic bourbon notes with vanilla at the forefront. I find water to have little effect on the nose, which I think is a bit surprising that, while not reticent, it isn't a very intense nose for a high proofer. Flavor is good as well...before water I get a lot of fruits - orange in particular, alongside some wood, grass, and hay...and after some water, a nutty component emerges that is quite intense. For how little H2O influenced the nose I see a lot more come out in the flavor...but I can't argue it is better (or worse) after adding a small splash. Quite oily on the palate...maybe I'm thinking resiny due to the pine trees on the bottle. This drinks pretty close to the proof...maybe a bit lighter, and I actually found this to be a very approachable pour even prior to a few drops of water. Its a slightly dry whiskey and an overall nice pour...
Redwood Empire Cask Strength Pipe Dream (2022 Release)
About this bottle
Redwood Empire Cask Strength Pipe Dream is one of three limited edition bottlings featuring uncut and unfiltered whiskeys of the distillery's core portfolio. Pipe Dream is its blended bourbon offering and here four different grains make up its recipe — 74% corn, 20% raw rye, 4.5% malt barley and 1.5% wheat. The bourbons featured here were aged in 53-gallon, char #3 barrels for a minimum of four years and up to 12 years. Since they were aged in the California fog belt, the cask strength proof of 116.8 is lower than many other such offerings of similar makeup. Cask Strength Pipe Dream is available nationwide as of October 2022. (SRP $70)
How it tastes
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Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 7 parsed reviews.
My local liquor store had one of these left, and I decided to pick it up despite never having tried the original Pipe Dream. I am always very skeptical about these new distilleries, but after hearing good things I figured why not. Nose: remarkably strong vanilla - very sweet and pleasant. Hints of citrus. Palate: hot and sweet with sour green apples, spicy citrus, and cherry wood Finish: cinnamon, orange, spice, and oak Overall: This is a very unique and delicious bottle! Can’t speak for the regular expression, but the cask strength is very exciting and fun. I will be going back to pick up the regular bottle since this one was so delightful. Not the smoothest sipper out there, but I would recommend if you are looking for a cask strength that is interesting and unique.
Nose- Butterscotch bliss! Reminds me of those delicious gold candies. It is so in your face you do not need any other note. Taste- This is a spectacular caramel and vanilla bomb. Think liquid bullseyes. It is boozy, yet no ethanol showing throw. This is a bottle you could get in trouble with. Finish: If there is a flaw, here it is. Some rough edges quickly tempered by 4 drops in a 2 oz pour. Without water it is a bit strong. With water..... peanut butter! Overall: This is a quality sip. If you can get it, get it! Water fine tunes it. This competes with all of the big boy releases for me. Sleeper bottle here
Nose: Apple and Vanilla - Hints of Citrus. Very unique nose. Palate: Flash of heat before giving way to green apple and okay. Minimal oil and buttery mouthfeel like the regular Pipe Dream. Finish: Orange, cinnamon spice. Thoughts: Pretty good! Unique, but wouldnt pay secondary for it.
Very herbal neat. Mellows out into a much better flavor after a cube or splash of water.
If the disney pirates of the Caribbean ride had a barrell pick
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