Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon

Rating: 12/23 I got a new haul of bottles, so I figured I may as well open one. I've been curious about Redwood Empire for a while, though I suspect that it's yet another attempt to cash in on the craft whiskey craze with juice from MGP. OK, it looks like it isn't all MGP, but some certainly is and none of it is distilled in-house. N: Rye really comes out here. This must be a high rye bourbon. Peanut shells, minerality, and cracker jacks make it through as well. Mild notes of vanilla and tannic wood. Not an amazing nose, but it's nicely balanced. P: Light with a burn that isn't harsh and plenty of minerality. Light cracker jacks come through. Hints of spearmint and some vanilla as well. A hint of cinnamon that makes me think a little of a churro. Maybe a touch of black pepper. The overall profile is clean and reasonably balanced, but it's also light and youthful. This might have a hint of cotton candy or bubblegum as well. Maybe even a light melon, oddly. F: There's definitely some spearmint here, but it's not at all overwhelming. This doesn't burn or taste weird. It's clean and smooth with some sweetness and a rich layer underneath. I'm not sure what that sweet flavor is exactly. Cracker jacks, actually. Nice, but not amazing. - Conclusion - This is young and light, as expected, but it's also interestingly complex and generally pretty tasty. George Dickel Signature (11/23) is richer and fuller than this is, with more bikinis spices (especially cinnamon) and vanilla. It's less balanced and nuanced though. This one also shows less burn without an obvious attribution. Plus, there's a bit more alcohol flavor here too. My immediate impression is that this is not quite as good as the Dickel. Still, I don't think that this is as low as a 10, so I'll give it an 11. Big, bold flavors aren't the definition of greatness, but lightness like this without anything excellent is not the way to go either. I could imagine a 12, but a 13 would be a tough sell. Hints of graham cracker and milk chocolate. OK, this is growing on me. But it's still a 12 for now. I'm now liking this better than the Dickel because there's more delicate nuance here and less sour flavor. Coming back the next day, this is still light, but my thought is a 12 and it could even be a 13.

Just buy it at this price. Its good - really good. Gonna grab a few extra for gifts.

Apple pie with clove featured and some hay on the nose. Wood and stewed fruit on the tongue, pleasant and nondemanding. Smooth mildly spicy finish.