Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon

Rating: 12/23 I got a new haul of bottles, so I figured I may as well open one. I've been curious about Redwood Empire for a while, though I suspect that it's yet another attempt to cash in on the craft whiskey craze with juice from MGP. OK, it looks like it isn't all MGP, but some certainly is and none of it is distilled in-house. N: Rye really comes out here. This must be a high rye bourbon. Peanut shells, minerality, and cracker jacks make it through as well. Mild notes of vanilla and tannic wood. Not an amazing nose, but it's nicely balanced. P: Light with a burn that isn't harsh and plenty of minerality. Light cracker jacks come through. Hints of spearmint and some vanilla as well. A hint of cinnamon that makes me think a little of a churro. Maybe a touch of black pepper. The overall profile is clean and reasonably balanced, but it's also light and youthful. This might have a hint of cotton candy or bubblegum as well. Maybe even a light melon, oddly. F: There's definitely some spearmint here, but it's not at all overwhelming. This doesn't burn or taste weird. It's clean and smooth with some sweetness and a rich layer underneath. I'm not sure what that sweet flavor is exactly. Cracker jacks, actually. Nice, but not amazing. - Conclusion - This is young and light, as expected, but it's also interestingly complex and generally pretty tasty. George Dickel Signature (11/23) is richer and fuller than this is, with more bikinis spices (especially cinnamon) and vanilla. It's less balanced and nuanced though. This one also shows less burn without an obvious attribution. Plus, there's a bit more alcohol flavor here too. My immediate impression is that this is not quite as good as the Dickel. Still, I don't think that this is as low as a 10, so I'll give it an 11. Big, bold flavors aren't the definition of greatness, but lightness like this without anything excellent is not the way to go either. I could imagine a 12, but a 13 would be a tough sell. Hints of graham cracker and milk chocolate. OK, this is growing on me. But it's still a 12 for now. I'm now liking this better than the Dickel because there's more delicate nuance here and less sour flavor. Coming back the next day, this is still light, but my thought is a 12 and it could even be a 13.

I picked up this bourbon a little while ago and I am just now getting around to reviewing this. I have seen the brand online and at the liqueor store but this is the first one of their products I have bought. The nose in a Norlan glass is sweet vanilla and a cake like scent. There is also a little hint of ethanol. The body is very nice with vanilla, caramel, and oak notes. The body does last for a good while and the finish is woody and smooth. I have made several types of Old Fashioned drinks and a Whiskey Sours and this is a wonderful bourbon. I am looking forward to trying their other offerings. I will be adding this to my bar because it is a solid sipper and it makes a very good cocktail. Enjoy.

NEAT NOSE - Caramel, Vanilla, and Light Oak; Quintessential bourbon notes PALATE - Thin mouthfeel. Everything on the nose carries over along with notes of cinnamon and honey. FINISH - Smooth with the smallest hint of rye spice. Cinnamon is the most apparent note om the finish. BUY - Yes, good pour. Possibly will suit some as a daily. BUY AGAIN? - I said yes originally, but I’d actually go with the Lost Monarch instead. It’s the best flavor profile of the core range in my opinion. As of 2/25, the Redwood Empire 101 is now out and I have yet to try that one.

Second glass from a new bottle, in a tumbler. Nose is light but nice, with a mix of cherry, baking spice, and brown sugar. On the palate, I get some of that cherry and a nice bit of sweetness, followed by caramel corn that lingers through the finish. There is also enough spice and oak to keep things interesting and give it some dimension. Definitely in contention for a favorite daily drinker, especially because it has a more interesting profile than some of the other great tasting bourbons at around $30.

On the nose, rye spice with hints of bubble gum and banana laffy taffy. Little bit of vanilla bringing up the rear. On the palate, it's thinker and creamier than you'd expect. Super sweet too, with the bubblegum and vanilla extra prevelant. Pretty spiky on the finish. Somebody clearly put a lot of thought into this. It won't be everybody's go-to, but it's nice enough that few people will actively avoid it.

N: Ethanol, carmel and oak P: black pepper F: sweet and oaky finish Overall: IMO this bourbon drinks higher proof then it is. Spicy (black pepper) comes in pretty hot, definitely not the smoothest whiskey I’ve had. From other reviews, some disagree and say this is smooth and drinkable. I think it hits a little rough. Not very complex.