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 fourth of nine highlights to focus on the Redwood Empire Distillery, with today’s review of Redwood Empire Grizzly Beast Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Batch 3).

Bottle Information

From the Redwood Empire Whiskey website: SINGLE SEASON SINGLE DISTILLERY. This rare whiskey was bottled under the strict tenets of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. Aged in the temperate climate of the Northern California coast, the original distillate was altered only by the addition of pure water from the Russian River Valley aquifer. This is the purest expression of Redwood Empire’s craft.

• Distiller: Redwood Empire Distilling
• Mash Bill: 68% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Wheat, 5% Barley, 2% Triticale
• Proof: 100
• Age: 5 Years
• Year: 2023
• MSRP: $79
• 2024 National Average: $99
• 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 has an amazingly fruity and sweet nose. However, the palate leaves a lot to be desired and leads into a lacking finish that might even be a bit too dry for me. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Strawberry Fruit Leather, Twizzlers, Apple Juice, Vanilla, and Baking Spice
• Palate: Baking Spice, Vanilla, Caramel, Nuttiness, Leather, and Dry Oak
• Finish: Medium to Long with Sweet Dry Oak and Baking Spices
• My Rating: Mix It! (This has an amazing nose, yet the palate and finish are lacking something and are a bit dry)

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™