
"So the middle ground answer reminds us that reflection is continuous with practice, and our practice can go worse or better according to the value of our reflections."
—Simon Blackburn
Redwood Empire seems to have hit a stride, and the Amongst The Whiskey writers have been doing their best to keep up with the steady stream of recent releases. I, for one, will never complain about a craft distillery consistently pushing out innovative expressions. This particular release, however, was done rather quietly, and for the briefest of moments, I had concluded the release was simply a label update. After debunking that assumption, I moved quickly into curiosity. What was this middle child of Pipe Dream, one of Redwood Empire's core offerings, all about, and how would it stand out amongst its already well-favored siblings, flagship, and cask strength?
Contrary to perhaps another well-warranted assumption, this offering is not just a slightly higher (or lower, depending on your point of reference) proofed Pipe Dream. There are slight but notable differences that may help you justify the slight but noticeable price difference. As described on Redwood Empire's website:
Maintaining a four-grain mashbill, this reserve expression showcases older whiskey stocks, more of our own grain-to-glass distillate, and is cut at a higher proof. The result is a craft whiskey with elevated aromas, rich textures, and bold flavors.

Currently, Pipe Dream seems to be the only offering available in the 101 reserve expression. Still, I think it's safe to assume Redwood's bourye, Lost Monarch, and rye, Emerald Giant, will eventually follow suit. Although, if there's one thing you and I can learn from this review, other than how this whiskey is going to rate, is that when we assume, we only make an ass out of u and me. So, it is with this mindset that I will move forward with this tasting with no assumptions or expectations!
Company on Label: Redwood Empire Whiskey
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 73% corn, 19% rye, 5% malted barley, 3% wheat
Proof: 101°
Age: 5 years (a blend of 5-15 year old bourbons from California, Indiana, and Kentucky)
MSRP: $55.99 (2025)
Further Identification: This is batch one of Redwood Empire's 101 reserve expression with a release date of November 2024
Nose: This is undeniably bourbon. Caramel, vanilla, and oak dominate the nose. It's a predictable combination, like unwrapping a stick of butter from its wax paper. While the aromas are enjoyable, they seem to be a bit muted. With a bit of warmth and swirls, a few additional notes release from my glass: a long spiraling peel from a red delicious apple, a crack of black pepper, and the inside of a Tupperware container filled with a kiddo's backyard treasures of grass, dirt, and ladybugs. It's an odd mix of aromas if I'm being honest. Perhaps a taste will coalesce these disjointed smells. After a few sips, I find less cohesion and more confusion: floral tones leaning towards lavender and rose and, as the liquid grows lower, the scent of old books in a small and stuffy used bookstore. Perplexed, I am, but not offended. The core of this expression is absolutely bourbon. The empty glass smells of tootsie roll wrappers, dried flowers, and a restaurant candy dish filled with chalky stale after-dinner mints.
Palate: Vanilla and caramel glide across my tongue as cinnamon and clove shimmer through the familiar duo. The tastes are creamy at first, but all too quickly the flavors fall flat. A tartness, like sipping a stale can of bubbly lemon water dominates midpalate. The finish is hotter than I anticipated, too, given the proof point. As I sip along, I encounter much of the same experience: a pop and quick deflation in flavors, reminding me of an empty bowl of what was once vanilla ice cream with melted whipped cream pooling at the edges. Late in the glass, a fruit characteristic shows up: blackberry, which offers a bit of excitement until the oak spice washes away the delicate flavor. The final sip is void of any further evolution and is primarily dominated by a mixture of grassy spice.
TL;DR: classic tastes of bourbon that wish to be more but can't figure out how
Rating: 3/5
Fans of a solid daily sipper will likely be inspired to reach for this slightly kicked-up version instead of the flagship Pipe Dream. Personally, I could go either way. The 101 offers more of Redwood Empire's distillate, but I think the blending process needs a bit of fine-tuning. I'll be curious to taste future releases to see how this expression evolves, assuming more releases are forthcoming in the vast landscape of middle ground.


Great write up and review on Redwood Empire 101
Great write-up! It sounds like this one ended up being a little more pedestrian than some of their fancier releases. I personally am going to just keep looking for some Haystack Needle bourbon based on your evaluation, I think.