Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Port Whiskey 14yr 750mL Redwood Empire

Vital Stats:

• Age: 12

• Mash bill: Undisclosed (sourced from MGP)

• Proof: 110

• Availability: Regionally

• Related Whiskeys: none at this time

Whiskey Delta Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Candied Mixed Berries, Apple, Butter, and White Sugar

• Palate: Cinnamon, Raisins, Blackberry, Dark Chocolate

• Finish: Long – Very Long – Cherry and Berries

Whiskey Delta Recommends This For:

Wine lovers looking for a heavily wine influenced whiskey and lovers of fruity bourbon.

 

Crafting & Culture of Redwood Empire:

Redwood Empire is based in Sonoma County California and is currently focusing on blending whiskeys from multiple areas and combining with their own distillate depending on the offering. “The Northern California Coast is a unique place, one of the few in the world where giant redwood trees grow,” and per Redwood Empire, this area has an ideal climate for Redwood Empires product which “allows for even and consistent barrel aging.”

 

Redwood Empire uses John Muir, a naturalist and conservationist, as their inspiration. With every bottle that Redwood Empire sells they plant a tree. Per their website, at the time of this article, Redwood Empire has planted close to two hundred thousand trees. Redwood Empire believes in protecting the environment and has built sustainability into all its processes.

 

Experiencing Haystack Needle, Port Finished:

The nose comes across in two layers. Upfront candied berries and a red apple. Below, a savory mix of butter and white sugar. The palate echoes this two-part experience as well. At first, a cinnamon heat like Big Red followed by a blend of raisins and blackberry. On the back of the palate a touch of dark chocolate, with only a hint of bitterness. The finish is very long, coming across evenly and continuing the cherry and blackberry notes.