As mentioned in the February 18, 2024, blog posting, I decided to start a new series that explores some of my favorite distilleries that I believe deserve a bit more attention. Those highlighted distillery write-ups will then be followed by several reviews of their products with the hope this will cause others to broaden their selections and seek some of these gems out. Thus, this is the third of nine highlights to focus on the Redwood Empire Distillery, with today’s review of Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Blended Straight Whiskey.

Bottle Information

From the Redwood Empire Whiskey website: Named after the world’s largest coastal Redwood, Lost Monarch whiskey has a name to live up to. An award winning bourbon-rye blend with an exceptional balance of sweetness and spice. The perfect choice for those who just can’t decide between rye or bourbon, we call it “the best of both worlds.”

• Distiller: Bottled by Redwood Empire Distilling
• Mash Bill: 60% Rye Whiskey, (95% Rye, 5% malted Barley) and 40% Bourbon Whiskey (75% Corn, 21% raw Rye, 4% malted Barley)
• Proof: 90
• Age: 4 to 12 Year-Old Bourbon & 3 to 5 Year-Old Rye Whiskey
• Year: 2023
• MSRP: $35
• 2024 National Average: $52
• Official Website

Unfortunately, I have only found two stores in about a 45-mile radius that carry their product in NoCo, and it is very hit or miss when they are actually on the shelf. Thankfully, the distillery has started to ship directly to Colorado, yet funny enough, I have yet to successfully order anything from them as new products sell out extremely quickly. Overall, this is one of my favorite bouryes I have had to date, as the blending melds the best of both whiskies into one. With great flavors of rye spice, fruitiness, and sweet classic bourbon notes, this is a very crushable, low-proof, yet flavorful bourye that I could sip any time of the year! With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Vanilla, Fruitiness (Strawberry/Orange), Rye Spice, Brown Sugar, and Oak
• Palate: Vanilla, Oak, Brown Sugar, Rye Spice, and Honey (Very Sweet)
• Finish: Medium with Oak, Vanilla, and Fruit
• My Rating: Drink It! (A very crushable, low-proof, yet flavorful bourye that I could sip any time of the year!)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman™