Redwood Empire Cask Strength Pipe Dream (2023 Release)

The nose is strong, almost harsh ethanol tones with a hint of corn sweetness and hay. The palate is surprisingly smooth with a grainy start then transitioning to a mouthcoating cherry vanilla note. The finish has a lasting back of the throat finish. Not a bad pour.

Nose: this is what is smells liek after it rains Taste: yo its not bread but it really reminds me of bread

This was disappointing. Its bot bad byvany aretxh, but really expected a lot more from a cask strength around $70. Comes off a bit thin and a tad grainy. It is a bit oeopery on the nose and some spice on the palette. A small amount of tobacco on the nose but nothing significant. Hopefully it opens up but so far its nothing i wouod buy again.

Color: Medium Amber/Copper Nose: Familiar leathery nose, molasses (?), baked apples along with a slight alcoholic whiff. ** Drank with a large ball of ice. Sometimes, higher proofs don't drink like it. Well with this one, the 116 proof makes itself known. First few sips leave a nice long chest hug. Palate: Spicy, slightly sweet, and some buttery qualities after a few sips. **For me, I pick up more on the nose the more I drink. The second pour gave me a big dose of "strawberry/banana " on the nose. Nice! Some slight bitterness appears on the back end. As the ice slightly dilutes it, a nice brown sugar quality comes out. The finish is spicy and tingly — like pretty much every bourbon I've had. I want to say that I had the "standard" Pipe Dream Bourbon earlier this year/late last year. I had me a pour at a bar, and I liked it so much that I bought a bottle the next day. I like to support my home state's distilleries whenever possible, so I had to try this Pipe Dream Cask Strength when I spied it sitting in the office of my local grocery store (where I score most of my hard-to-find bottles at SRP). I have to say, though... for the money, I would buy the regular offering before I bought this Cask Strength again. Better value for the money. This is similar to the regular Pipe Dream, but stronger. There is definitely more going on with this pricier bottle. But I think I was able to appreciate the flavors of the standard Pipe Dream just fine without the higher proof. The $50 difference also makes the "base model" that much more appealing. If you can find this bottle, I say go for it. But you'll be just as happy with — and that much less poorer — with the standard Pipe Dream.

Nose is similar to the regular release, apple pie spices with some hay and a cool grassy mint note. Tongue punches the vanilla, oak, cinnamon and stewed fruit up a notch but without the darker flavor notes that often come with that profile. Sweet, pleasantly spicy finish.