Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 45% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

This four-year-old bottling brings together several rye whiskeys matured in new charred oak casks. It is bottled at 45% in 0.7-litre bottles.

It is named after the Emerald Giant in Redwood National Park, a coast redwood known for its particularly rapid growth. Like the brand’s other bottlings, this whiskey references a protected redwood and features a quotation from naturalist John Muir on its label.

Clove, orange peel, baking spices and dried apricot add to its spicy and fruity character.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Cool mint and cedar meet fresh citrus accents and rye spice on the nose.
• Palate: Bold rye and black pepper combine on the palate with gentle caramel, creamy vanilla and oak.
• Finish: Rye spice and vanilla sweetness linger through the finish before a subtle citrus note provides a clean conclusion.

Distillery/Bottler:

Redwood Empire was founded by Derek Benham, who recognised the potential of Northern California’s cool climate for slow, even whiskey maturation in 2013. Two years later, the distillery in Graton began filling its first casks of its own spirit under Master Distiller Jeff Duckhorn. Mature sourced whiskeys complemented the distillery’s own production.

Redwood Empire has produced on Mare Island, north of San Francisco, since 2025. The grain used for its own whiskey is milled on site; fermentation is followed by distillation in a three-storey column still connected to a doubler. Maturation takes place in new American oak casks whose wood is both toasted and charred.

Facts: