Redwood Empire Rocket Top Bottled in Bond Rye (Spring 2019 Vintage)

I love Redwood Empire's other Rye, Emerald Giant, so I've been excited to try this one. I found the 2019 vintage locally and decided to pull the trigger. I'm glad I did. This is a fantastic rye, and it's a 4-grain rye which makes it a little more unique. On the nose, a sweet herbal funkiness that I was a little unsure about. I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor. There is a noticable (but minimal) spice that does not get in the way of the sweetness. The flavor is mostly sweet and pleasant, with notes of honey, butterscotch, and a little cinnamon. At 100 proof, it's perfectly smooth, and I did not notice any heat or harshness at all. If you love bourbon, I think you will really like this rye. I paid $80 in the New England area for this bottle, and I loved it, but I had to knock a few points off for the price - I think it's a little too expensive. If it was $10-$20 cheaper, I'd be keeping this in my rotation at all times. That being said, I will absolutely buy it again for special occasions or whenever I want to treat myself.