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 sixth of nine highlights to focus on the Redwood Empire Distillery, with today’s review of Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey.

Bottle Information

From the Redwood Empire Whiskey website: UNCUT & UNFILTERED Experience Pipe Dream straight from the barrel in this limited edition cask strength offering. Aged for a minimum of four years in the temperate climate of the Northern California coast, explore new heights of Redwood Empire’s craft.

• Distiller: Bottled by Redwood Empire Distilling (Distilled in California, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee)
• Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 20% Rye, 4.5% Malted Barley, 1.5% Wheat
• Proof: 116.8
• Age: 4-12 Years Old
• Year: 2023
• MSRP: $70
• 2024 National Average: $92
• 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, I was hopeful that Cask Strength Pipe Dream would stand out a bit more with the added proof. Although slightly better than the normal offering of Pipe Dream, the cask strength still lacks those defining characteristics that I prefer in a bourbon. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Cinnamon Gummy Bear, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Cherry/Strawberry, and Toasted Oak
• Palate: Rye Spice, Cinnamon, Caramel, Cherry, Vanilla, Walnut, and Oak
• Finish: Medium and Warm with Notes of Cinnamon, Dry Oak, and Vanilla
• My Rating: Mix It!/Drink It! (I was hopeful that Cask Strength Pipe Dream would stand out a bit more with the added proof)

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™