Review: Redwood Empire Pipe Dream, Emerald Giant, and Lost Monarch (Updated 2026)
Only two years ago Sonoma-based Graton Distillery released Redwood Empire, a blend of its own microdistilled spirit and sourced whiskey. Now the brand is back with not one, not two, but three new expressions which collectively replace the 2018 release.
Here’s all the details to get you started.
Purple Wine + Spirits today announced its Redwood Empire Whiskey brand is launching three uniquely hand-crafted, barrel aged, California whiskeys: “Pipe Dream” Bourbon, “Emerald Giant” Rye, and ”Lost Monarch,” a blend of straight American whiskey. All three whiskeys are select blends of aged whiskeys between 4-12 years and are showcased in exciting new labels inspired by California’s most iconic conservationist, John Muir. In conjunction with the launch, Redwood Empire Whiskey is partnering with Trees for the Future (TREES), an NGO responsible for planting over 170 million trees since 1989. As a result of this harmonious partnership, Trees for the Future will plant a tree for every bottle of Redwood Empire sold.
Redwood Empire Whiskey embodies and expresses the authentic character of its Sonoma County, CA origins: the heart of California’s majestic Redwoods. The Redwood Empire is a stretch of land that is home to uniquely indigenous trees that are some of the tallest on earth. Each Redwood Empire whiskey blend is inspired by its namesake of an ancient tree, revered, identified by name, and then protected by our US National Parks System. They include: Pipe Dream Bourbon, Emerald Giant Rye and Lost Monarch, all designated names of sky-scraping trees that serve both as the muse that inspire each bottle’s unique aesthetics and their blend formulation.
· “Pipe Dream” Bourbon: Standing at 367 feet, “Pipe Dream” is the fourteenth tallest tree on earth. Blended from barrels that have been aging anywhere between four and twelve years, this bourbon is a deep golden color with rich, complex flavors of vanilla, roasted pecans and a slight woody char.
· “Emerald Giant” Rye: This expression’s namesake is the tallest tree in the Emerald Grove. It is blended from rye barrels aged three to five years and brings an amalgamation of spice, orange peel, a hint of honey and peppery cinnamon finish.
· “Lost Monarch” Blend of Straight Whiskeys: Named for the tallest tree in the Redwood Empire’s Grove of Titans, this blend of rye and bourbon is crafted from three to five year-old rye, and four to twelve year-old bourbon.
Got all that? Less clear in the sourcing of all of these whiskeys. While the Pipe Dream bourbon notes it is distilled in “California, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee,” the other two bottlings carry no distillation designation. I am presuming they are both composed of similar blends of California distillate and sourced whiskeys.
Let’s dig in. All three are 90 proof.
Update 2026: It’s been 7 years since we first encountered these whiskeys, so we figured it was time to revisit them all to see whether and how things have evolved. Fresh tasting notes follow. Notably: Prices have fallen considerably for all three.
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon (2019) Review
No formal age statement, though see unofficial data above. Definitely comes across as extremely young, with strong peanut and popcorn notes on the nose, along with a bit of spice and some raw wood character. The palate feels quite simple, with a reprise of peanuts as well as brown sugar and toasty oak chips. I kept sipping and swirling, and never really got much more out of it. The finish offers a moderate level of sweetness, with the peanut brittle character never wavering. It’s not a bad bourbon by any definition, but it never offers any particular level of nuance or intrigue. B- / $45 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon (2026) Review
No obvious production changes, with the same four distillation states noted. I found this current release of Pipe Dream much more enchanting and approachable, though there’s still no shortage of peanut and popcorn notes on both nose and palate. Much less raw today, the palate features a pleasant sweetness that approaches almonds in nougat, with caramel and vanilla notes well-represented. The nuttiness remarked upon at length in the 2019 release is still wholly accounted for, but now it has a foil in the form of more well-integrated sweetness and some late-game hints of cinnamon, finishing with a bit of honeydew melon. Quite creamy but with a pop of bite, this is still a straightforward experience but a much more enjoyable one than before. Solid mixer, for sure. B+ / $30 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye (2019) Review
Noted as “aged at least three years” on the reverse. Fresh and immediately grainy, with lots of classic rye spice aromatics sprinkled on top, aptly melding allspice with barrel char. The palate is peppery and chewy with toasted cereal, with notes of butterscotch and toasted coconut adding some nuance. Sweeter than expected, the whiskey finishes with notes of graham crackers, honey, and a slight vein of green vegetables that more than anything else in the experience point to the whiskey’s youth. Otherwise, not a bad rendition of craft rye. B / $45 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye (2026) Review
The only member of the trio with a noted change in production: This rye now denotes an age of at least four years and distillate from California, Indiana, and Kentucky. The spice pops immediately and hard on the nose — menthol, white pepper, grassy rosemary, tobacco — with ample char to keep things smoldering. Minty but undercut with sweetness on the palate, the honeyed notes in the whiskey remain a constant seven years later, though they never hold a candle next to the green, earthy spice on display. Vegetal notes remain prominent as the mushroomy finish builds. There are plenty of ryes out there with more complexity and better balance than this — but not many at 30 bucks a bottle. B / $30 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Blended Whiskey (2019) Review
This is effectively the replacement for the original Redwood Empire American Whiskey. Also noted as at least three years old. As with the bourbon, this feels like a young, soft, and rather simple spirit, despite the complexity of its blend. Lightly smoky and woody, the immediate aromatics invoke notes of mesquite barbecue and maple-soaked bacon. Leathery at times, there’s fortunately a layer of rye-driven spice underneath that brightens things up. The palate is again quite soft, with sweet notes of caramel corn and maple syrup dominant. As the finish approaches, a mild punch of spice hits the tongue along with some heavier, traditional peanut notes. All told, the character is quite similar to the Pipe Dream bourbon, so if that whiskey appeals to you, this one won’t rock the boat. B- / $45 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Blended Whiskey (2026) Review
No changes from 2019: Three years old, with no indication of distillation location. Definitely the most anonymous whiskey in the trio, this feels like the bourbon but with any sharper edges (as minimal as they may be in the bourbon) filed off completely. Soft and supple, the whiskey hits with a quiet sweetness before pouring on a brown butter character that feels doused in brown sugar. There’s some peppery, green rye in the mix, but it’s mild — dialed further back than the ’19 — and unable to overcome the sweeter elements in the whiskey. Maple remains a heavy component, with apple pie spices coming into view as the short, sticky finish emerges. It’s still the least compelling member of the trio, though I’d mix it with Coke sooner than I would with something like Crown Royal. B- / $30 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
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