Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Whiskey

I’ve already had the cask strength version and loved it so i guess I’m doing this backward. Honey, hay and violet nose. Reminds me of creme de violette in a mildly spicy rye cocktail. Palate is more of the same. Fruity, some scotch undertones. Not many whiskeys are this flowery and botanical. Pepper and caramel undertones, but nothing gritty. Ends on the same soft, aromatic, wistful note.

Sweet on the nose but warm through

Rating: 15/23 N: Sweet corn against a woody vanilla backdrop. There are some classic herbal rye scents going on here as well. P: A fragrant, floral, vanilla flavor, with herbal flavor and restrained graininess (notably, herbal, sweet, floral flavors- then more classic herbal flavors). There's some malty sweetness that also has a bit of tangerine and orange peel, but that's all quite light. F: A bit of bitterness and clean water, but it's also floral with plenty of vanilla. It almost wants some decadent orange, but I still do get some malt or something. - Conclusion- This is definitely better than Redwood Empire Pipe Dream (12/23). It's richer, fuller, and more interesting. There's more rye flavor as well. This is a lot better, though it's far from amazing. I actually enjoy this a bit though, unlike the Pipe Dream. Russell's Reserve 10 (16/23) is better than this, but not by a large margin. Honestly, I thought that this would be a 14, but it really could be a 15. It's a tough call, but I'm leaning toward a 15. I really like that decadent, complex rye character.