REDWOOD EMPIRE HAYSTACK NEEDLE BOURBON S3B30

What makes Haystack Needle so special? We only produce 4 barrels a day. With such small production (it is like finding a needle in a haystack!) we have a hand in the process from start to finish. This is a true expression of our distillation philosophy and ability.

All our production choices are focused on crafting distillates that are full of expressive grain character. We partner with local, family-owned farms to source high quality grains. True to our craft, we utilize a diverse array of mash bills that go into innovative small lot ferments. Our 53-gallon barrels are assembled with staves that have been seasoned for never less than 36 months, our barrels are toasted first, then charred. Finally, our whiskey ages slowly and evenly in the foggy and cool climate of the Redwood Empire. In this terroir our barrels experience less extreme temperature fluctuations, resulting in a superbly balanced and smooth whiskey.

From Lee Diaz, Topflight Series Panel Member:

I have been following Redwood Empire for quite some time as they have been developing some truly delectable whiskey flavors that are often incredibly hard to find. And there’s no doubt as to why — they only produce four barrels each day. FOUR. When you take that level of production and try to launch a single barrel program, there’s no doubt that any barrel that makes it through as a single barrel must be absolutely astounding and unforgettably flavorful. That is what you get in this 8 Year Old Cask Strength Haystack Needle Single Barrel Bourbon.

Through their hyper focused, grain-to-glass production, their mash bill is also very intentional, to make sure that you have a distinctive tasting experience. In this bottle, you have a 72% Corn, 18% Raw Rye, 5% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley mash bill that beautifully represents the quality grains of local family owned farms, intentionality of a specifically chosen mash bill, and the slow aging of the foggy and cool climate of Northern California. The nose is sweet with pastry, cinnamon, brown sugar, leading into flavors of candied cherry, cacao, toasted oak. This evolves into a finish of leather, baking spices, mint, herbal tea, orange citrus.

This Haystack Needle release is one of the first single barrels in their new wood-textured bottle format. It’s a beautiful touch the honors the forest and their ongoing homage to naturalist and “Father of the National Parks”, John Muir (as is a standard for every release).