Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye is a 4-year-old rye whiskey distilled in California and Indiana. With a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, it is bottled at 90 proof and retails for about $35. Based in Sonoma County, California, Redwood Empire Distilling plants a tree for every bottle sold as part of its sustainability efforts.
Oak leads on nose and palate. Lemon peel astringency and black pepper heat frames the distinctly woody, drying flavor, finishing with clove and cayenne, warming all the way down.
The rye itself is an easy sipper that offers just the right amount of spice with an interesting cast of supporting flavors. It may not be the most complex of ryes, however, its approachable price tag along with its four year age statement makes this whiskey an easy bottle to recommend picking up.
