Redwood Empire Whiskey, a Sonoma County distillery known for its grain-to-glass approach, earned top honors at the 2024 Whiskies of the World Awards. Their Grizzly Beast Bourbon was awarded double gold, while Rocket Top Rye won best-in-class and also received a double gold. Both whiskeys are bottled under the guidelines of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, ensuring a high level of quality and consistency.
Grizzly Beast and Rocket Top are crafted with a deep connection to the whiskey-making process. According to Master Distiller Jeff Duckhorn, the distillery produces only four barrels a day, allowing for a strong focus on the grain character of each spirit. Each Bottled-in-Bond release uses barrels from a six-month distillation period, ensuring seasonal differences and making each batch unique.
Grizzly Beast Bourbon (Batch 004) features a nose of cherry cola, with brown sugar on the palate and a complex, balanced finish. Rocket Top Rye (Batch 004) offers aromas of stone fruit and fresh hops, with flavors of salted caramel, candied tangerine, and a finish that blends maple with hints of chocolate and coffee.
Master Blender Lauren Patz noted the uniqueness of these releases, as the distillery hand-selects barrels for each batch. The aging process, done in toasted and charred barrels, benefits from the cool, foggy climate of the Redwood Empire, resulting in smooth, well-balanced whiskeys.