Redwood Empire Rocket Top Straight Rye Batch 004
Redwood Empire Rocket Top Straight Rye Batch 004 is a bold, Bottled-in-Bond rye whiskey that showcases Redwood Empire’s dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and California terroir. Distilled in Spring 2019, aged five years, and bottled at 100 proof under Bottled-in-Bond standards, Batch 004 delivers a beautifully balanced rye experience that leans into vibrant fruit, warming spice, and elegant oak rather than overwhelming intensity. With an 89% rye, 5% wheat, and 6% malted barley mash bill, this limited release offers a refined yet adventurous pour that stands out for its unique complexity and smooth drinkability.
What Makes It Special?
Rocket Top Batch 004 is crafted from a single distillation season and aged in Northern California’s temperate climate, allowing Redwood Empire to create a whiskey that expresses both precision and regional character. Its Bottled-in-Bond designation guarantees authenticity, age, and quality, while the addition of wheat in the mash bill softens the spice-driven rye backbone with subtle sweetness and rounded texture. This batch is known for offering an approachable yet layered rye profile, combining traditional rye spice with dried fruit, citrus, and confectionary notes that make it distinctive among modern American ryes.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Allspice, cinnamon, baked cherry, orange zest, pear, apricot, and subtle graham cracker sweetness.
Palate: Rich and lively with dried apricot, tropical fruit, caramel, cinnamon roasted nuts, green apple, toasted oak, and warming rye spice.
Finish: Medium-long and smooth, featuring lingering caramel, sweet spice, charred oak, and soft fruit with a polished Bottled-in-Bond warmth.
Best Ways to Enjoy It
Neat – Ideal for experiencing its full fruit-forward complexity, rye spice, and Bottled-in-Bond depth.
With a splash of water – Opens brighter citrus, softer baking spice, and additional sweetness.
In elevated rye cocktails – Excellent in a Manhattan or Sazerac where its fruit-forward profile adds sophistication.
Final Verdict
Redwood Empire Rocket Top Straight Rye Batch 004 is an exceptional Bottled-in-Bond rye that successfully balances bold rye character with refined sweetness, layered fruit, and approachable complexity. It’s an outstanding choice for rye lovers seeking something more nuanced than traditional spice bombs, while also offering enough smoothness to appeal to bourbon drinkers exploring premium rye expressions. With its limited-batch craftsmanship, unique California identity, and polished flavor profile, Rocket Top Batch 004 is a must-have for serious whiskey enthusiasts and collectors alike.