Redwood Empire The Colonel Armstrong is a high-wheat, four-grain bourbon blended from 122 barrels aged four to fourteen years, bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV).
The whiskey is named for Colonel James Armstrong, a Union soldier who preserved some of California's ancient redwood forests, and the bottle carries the geographic coordinates of a 1,400-year-old redwood that bears his name. Redwood Empire, from Graton Distilling Co. in Northern California, names each whiskey after a great redwood.
The mash bill is 59% corn, 30% wheat, 6% rye and 5% malted barley, putting wheat at the center for a softer, rounder style while keeping enough rye and oak for structure. The wide range of ages in the blend adds depth to that gentle wheated sweetness.
With its story of a giant redwood, it makes a thoughtful gift for bourbon lovers and nature lovers.
Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak containers, and straight bourbon must be aged at least two years. Those rules give bourbon its characteristic sweetness, with caramel and vanilla drawn from the charred barrels.
Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth, and some living today are well over a thousand years old.
Wheated bourbons swap rye for wheat as the main secondary grain, trading spice for a softer, sweeter profile.
Tasting Notes
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Grain: Soft, rounded wheat.
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Structure: A touch of rye and oak.
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Depth: From 4- to 14-year-old barrels.
Specifications
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Producer: Redwood Empire (Graton Distilling Co.), California
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Style: Wheated bourbon, small batch, four grain
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Mash Bill: 59% corn, 30% wheat, 6% rye, 5% malted barley
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Blend: 122 barrels, 4-14 years
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Proof / ABV: 94 proof (47% ABV)
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Region: California, USA
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat or on the rocks, or mix a smooth Old Fashioned. It pairs with roast chicken, pecan pie or butterscotch desserts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Colonel Armstrong?
Colonel James Armstrong, a Union soldier who helped preserve California's redwoods.
What is the mash bill?
59% corn, 30% wheat, 6% rye and 5% malted barley.
How old is it?
A blend of barrels aged four to fourteen years.
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