Introduction
At Film & Whiskey, we’re always excited to dive into new whiskey experiences, especially from lesser-known distilleries. Today, we're taking a close look at Redwood Empire Lost Monarch, a blend of straight whiskeys that hails from California. This blend is composed of 60% rye whiskey and 40% bourbon whiskey, with the bourbon itself being high-rye (21% rye). Aged between three to five years for the rye and four to twelve years for the bourbon, this 90-proof bottle promises an intriguing mix of flavors. Joining Bob and Brad for this review is Lee Diaz from ReserveBar, adding his expert insights into the mix.
This review is taken from our episode "Night at the Museum / Redwood Empire Lost Monarch." Click the link to listen to this episode in audio format.
Nose
Brad: "As I got into the nose here, there are some really nice rye-forward notes that I'm getting. It's a little bit dill, there's some vanilla, and it's a little bit minty. I kept searching for those bourbon notes but couldn’t quite find them. Maybe some hints of brown sugar, but it's tough to find. It definitely comes across much more strongly rye-forward." 6/10
Bob: "This is really pleasantly sweet on the nose. There’s a lot of younger bourbon notes, like simple syrup. But every time I swirl it, the rye comes out more, with a mint note that’s gone a little sour. Something feels a bit off to me." 7/10
Lee: "I get those rye-forward notes too, but also a touch of brown sugar and honey from the bourbon. There’s an off spearmint note that’s funky, and I can’t tell if I love it or not." 7/10
Taste
Bob: "The front of the palate is pleasant—lots of honey notes. But when it hits the back, you can taste the youth of the rye. It’s bitter and herbal. The bourbon does a decent job of trying to mask that youth, but it’s not entirely successful. It’s not bad, but I’ll give it a 6/10."
Brad was a bit more critical: "I get dill and some salted butter at the front, which is a nice creamy experience. But then it turns herbaceous at the back. It’s not bad, but it lacks complexity. I’m giving it a 5.5/10."
Lee added his perspective: "It isn’t complex. Whatever you get on the front of your palate, it just stays there, and then it dies out. The rye is fun, though, and I think this is the kind of funky whiskey you’d want to show off to someone exploring different rye profiles." 6/10
Finish
Bob felt the finish left a bit to be desired: "The herbal note lingers longer than I’d like. The second and third sips improved, but overall, it’s just an average finish. I’ll give it a 6.5/10."
Brad added, "There’s some nuttiness—like almond—at the end for me. It gets a little peppery, but it’s a medium-bodied finish that’s not too bad. I gave it a 6.5/10 as well."
Lee enjoyed the finish more than the others: "I get a fun herbal tea note and roasted nuttiness. It lingers enough to make me want another sip. It’s the best part of this whiskey, in my opinion." 7/10
Balance
Bob: "The experience from nose to finish is fairly consistent. It’s a well-made whiskey, even if it’s not blowing me away. I’ll give it a 7/10 for balance."
Brad: "It’s not poorly made. You can tell there’s craft behind it, but it might not be designed for a mass audience. I’m also at 7/10."
Lee: "The rye is the dominant character here, and I’m not sure the bourbon plays a significant role. But it’s balanced well enough. I’m at 7/10."
Value
Bob made an interesting comparison: "At $35 to $40, this is mid-range. My benchmark for that price is always Elijah Craig. I think this holds up well when you factor in the craft behind the blend. I’m giving it a 7.5/10 for value."
Brad, however, was less convinced: "For $35, I’d rather spend my money on Elijah Craig or a baseline Woodford. It just doesn’t hold up against those. I’m giving it a 5/10."
Lee rounded out the conversation: "I think regionality plays a big role here. This is a fun whiskey for exploring Northern California whiskey, but for core whiskeys, the classics like Elijah Craig or Old Forester are just better. Still, if you’re in the mood to explore, this is a good buy." 6.5/10
Final Scores
- Brad: 30/50
- Bob: 34/50
- Lee: 32/50
- Average Final Score: 32/50 (64/100)
Conclusion
Redwood Empire Lost Monarch is a solid introduction to the distillery's offerings. Scoring 32/50, it doesn’t quite hit the mark where we’d offer a strong recommendation, but it’s still worth trying for those curious about exploring new whiskey regions. If you're looking to branch out from your core whiskey collection and are intrigued by the nuances of rye-forward blends, Lost Monarch might be a fun addition to your shelf. At the $35-$40 price point, it’s certainly not a bad investment.
Cheers!
