Redwood Empire Haystack Needle "Use The Fours!" Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey The Prime Barrel Pick #153

Discover Redwood Empire Haystack Needle 4-grain single barrel bourbon.  Every barrel tells a story, but this barrel captures a specific moment in time. This bourbon was distilled at Redwood Empire’s original home in Northern California—a converted apple processing plant in the heart of the Russian River Valley.

When this was distilled in October, 2016, Redwood Empire was a micro-operation, producing just four barrels per day. This "small-batch" approach allowed for meticulous control over every fermenter and every run of the still.  A Rare Vintage: 2016 was the first full year of production for the Redwood Empire team. Distillate from this "startup" window is increasingly rare, as much of it was used for their flagship blends. Finding an 8-year, 9-month old single barrel from this foundational year is truly a "Needle in a Haystack."

While the distillery has recently expanded to the historic Mare Island facility, this barrel represents the OG distillate. It was aged in a Toasted, Char 3 barrel in the cool, coastal fog of West Sonoma County, which provided the slow, steady maturation required to develop its signature complexity at a full-bodied 119.2 proof.

Redwood Empire is famous for its 4-grain approach featuring 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 5% Wheat, and 5% Malted Barley.  This barrel features a sweet and rich nose, a full flavor palate blending sweet, spice and oak with a long and warming finish.  

Most Redwood Empire distillate from 2016 was blended away years ago. Finding a single barrel that was allowed to age this long—and was hand-selected by The Prime Barrel—is a rare chance to own a piece of the distillery's first year legacy.  

Barrel Details:

• Barrel #1845
• Distilled:  10/16/16 by Redwood Empire in Sonoma County, CA
• Age:  8 years, 9 months
• Mashbill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 5% wheat, 5% malted barley
• Barrel Entry Proof: 110 proof
• Proof: 119.2 proof

Tasting Notes:

• Nose:  Vanilla bean, caramelized sugar, honey, candied apple and fresh wild flowers, tasted oak.
• Palate:  Caramel syrup, brown sugar, spiced red apple, wave of hot cinnamon, black pepper, and oak.
• Finish:  Spiced honey, baking spices, black pepper, warm toasted oak.

Fewer than 50 Haystack Needle single barrels will leave the distillery, and The Prime Barrel was just the second group hosted for an onsite barrel selection.  

Want to see how this barrel pick came together? Watch The Prime Barrel Chronicles Redwood Empire episode here.