Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Cask Strength Rye Whiskey at 116.4 proof — at $90, the question is whether it delivers on its promise. I sat down with a pour to find out.
Nose
This whiskey is a very clear amber with a brown cast that forms fat tears. Much more subtle on the nose than Lost Monarch, I smell hyacinth on the attack. Brown sugar and vanilla extract eclipse a whisper of sweet cinnamon and dill.
Palate
The flavor is dominated by funk and pinesap, with spice that dries to the point of tannin. Its a little numbing on mid-palate with a finish of white pepper.
Finish
This is a solid rye. I like how funky it is while maintaining drinkability. The proof is the lowest of the cask strength series by a mere .4, but the alcohol stays tamer than that of the Pipe Dream.
The Bottom Line
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Cask Strength Rye Whiskey is a perfectly respectable whiskey that does what it sets out to do. At $90, the value is reasonable — it will not blow your mind, but it will not disappoint you either. A reliable choice.
