Redwood Empire Emerald Rye 750ML is a 90-proof (45% ABV) American rye whiskey blending Indiana and California distillate in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned 97 points from Tasting Panel Magazine in 2019 and took Double Gold medals at both the Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards and Sunset Magazine International Spirits Competition that same year — a remarkable sweep for a relatively young California brand.Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof) | Origin: Sonoma County, California | Aged 3–5 Years | Distillery: Redwood Empire WhiskeyProduction & HeritageRedwood Empire Whiskey began distilling in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley in 2015, with operations relocating to Mare Island, California in 2025. Emerald Giant — named after the fastest-growing redwood species on earth, which adds over 50 cubic feet of mass annually — is built on a 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill. The whiskey blends sourced Indiana (MGP) rye with Redwood Empire's own California distillate, drawn from a selection of 3- to 5-year-old barrels aged in new charred American oak. That dual-origin blending strategy gives the distillery's team a wider palette of flavors to work with than a single-source approach allows.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with natural grain-forward rye character, then unfolds into brown sugar and cinnamon warmth. A faint pepper note lingers underneath, joined by caramel and toasted oak as the glass opens up.Taste: The entry is boldly spiced, with black pepper and classic rye bite arriving immediately on the palate. At mid-palate, vanilla and smooth cereal grain notes round out the spice, while hints of citrus peel add brightness. The overall impression is layered spice complexity balanced by enough sweetness to keep it approachable at 90 proof.Finish: A touch of honey and orange peel emerges first, then gives way to building black pepper and lingering cinnamon warmth. The finish is medium-long with a dry, peppery fade that invites the next sip.How to Drink Emerald RyeNeat or with a single cube of ice is the most rewarding way to experience the spice layering; a few drops of water can open up the citrus and honey notes hiding beneath the pepper. Beyond sipping, this rye stands up well in cocktails: Manhattan: The 95% rye backbone cuts through sweet vermouth cleanly, delivering a dry, spice-driven version of the classic. Sazerac: Emerald Rye's cinnamon and pepper intensity pairs naturally with absinthe and Peychaud's bitters without getting lost. Old Fashioned: The underlying brown sugar and vanilla notes harmonize with a demerara sugar cube and orange peel, letting the rye spice shine through. Best For Rye whiskey enthusiasts exploring California-distilled expressions beyond the Kentucky and Indiana mainstream Building a home bar around versatile, cocktail-ready rye at a mid-shelf price point Gifting a whiskey drinker who appreciates award-winning small-batch American spirits Side-by-side tastings comparing MGP-blended ryes against single-source bottlings Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Emerald Rye taste like? Emerald Rye leads with bold black pepper and cinnamon spice, balanced by brown sugar sweetness, vanilla, and a thread of citrus peel. The finish is medium-long, dry, and peppery with lingering cinnamon warmth.How does Emerald Rye compare to James E. Pepper 1776 Rye? Both use the same 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill sourced from MGP in Indiana, but Emerald Rye blends that Indiana stock with Redwood Empire's own California distillate and bottles at 90 proof versus 1776 Rye's 100 proof. The result is a slightly softer, more citrus-accented profile compared to 1776's fuller-proof heat and grain intensity.Is Emerald Rye good for cocktails? Absolutely — the high rye content and 90-proof strength give it enough backbone to stand up in stirred classics like Manhattans and Sazeracs without overpowering lighter modifiers. It also works well in an Old Fashioned where its brown sugar and vanilla notes complement simple syrup and bitters.Where is Emerald Rye made? Redwood Empire Whiskey originally distilled in Sonoma County, California, in the Russian River Valley, beginning in 2015; operations moved to Mare Island, California in 2025. Emerald Rye combines rye whiskey distilled at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana with Redwood Empire's own California-distilled stocks.What foods pair well with Emerald Rye? Smoked brisket or pulled pork benefits from the whiskey's peppery spice cutting through fatty richness. Aged cheddar or Gruyère echoes the caramel and toasted oak notes. Dark chocolate with sea salt mirrors the sweet-and-spicy balance. Charcuterie boards with cured meats and grainy mustard complement the rye grain character. Apple tart or cinnamon-spiced desserts harmonize with the whiskey's brown sugar and cinnamon finish.What sizes does Emerald Rye come in? Emerald Rye is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, and Redwood Empire has also offered 375ml half-bottles in some markets.Is Emerald Rye worth the price? Emerald Rye positions as a mid-shelf rye that punches above its price tier, especially given its 97-point score from Tasting Panel Magazine and two Double Gold medals. For a blended-origin 95% rye aged 3 to 5 years, it delivers complexity that competes with bottles priced considerably higher.Why Emerald Rye?The 97-point rating from Tasting Panel Magazine and consecutive Double Gold medals at two major 2019 competitions put Emerald Giant in rare company for a California-based rye whiskey. What distinguishes it from the crowded field of MGP-sourced 95/5 ryes is Redwood Empire's decision to blend Indiana distillate with their own Sonoma County stocks — a dual-origin approach that adds layers of character you won't find in a straightforward single-source bottling. At 90 proof and aged between three and five years, it hits a sweet spot of intensity and approachability that works equally well neat or in a cocktail shaker. For drinkers curious about what West Coast distillers are doing with high-rye mashbills, this bottle makes a compelling case.
