Lost Monarch is named after the largest coast redwood on earth by volume, a 320 foot tree standing in the Grove of Titans in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and the bottle carries its GPS coordinates and dimensions printed down the side. The whiskey is a blend of straight bourbon and straight rye, which is an approach with a small but devoted following, sometimes called a bourye. The idea is to get corn sweetness and rye spice in the same glass rather than choosing between them. Rye leads the blend, made from a mashbill of 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley, with the bourbon component built on 75 percent corn, 21 percent raw rye and 4 percent malted barley, so even the bourbon side runs high in rye. Component ages span several years in each direction, with older bourbon barrels bringing depth and younger rye keeping the spice bright. Redwood Empire operates out of a converted apple processing plant in Graton, in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, and commits to planting a tree for every bottle sold. What lands in the glass is dark amber with an orange cast. The nose is complex, giving clove, cinnamon, vanilla, orange citrus zest and butterscotch with an intriguing hint of sandalwood. On the palate the corn sweetness and rye spice combine into something close to maple syrup, with vanilla and caramel leading into a persistent but subdued peppery finish. At 90 proof it is approachable rather than aggressive, which makes it a genuinely good first bottle for someone drinking whiskey neat, and a reliable cocktail base.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
45% |
| Proof |
90 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Sonoma County, California |
| Category |
Blend of Straight Whiskeys |
| Expression |
Lost Monarch |
| Composition |
Straight rye and straight bourbon, rye led |
| Rye Mashbill |
95% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Bourbon Mashbill |
75% corn, 21% raw rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age |
No age statement, component barrels of varying ages |
| Distillery |
Redwood Empire Distilling, Graton, Sonoma County |
| Established |
MMXVII, 2017 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Dark amber with a slightly orange cast.
Nose: Complex, with clove, cinnamon, vanilla, orange citrus zest and butterscotch, and an intriguing hint of sandalwood.
Palate: Sweetness from corn and spiciness from rye combine into an almost maple syrup like flavour, with vanilla and caramel through the middle.
Finish: Persistent yet subdued, closing on gentle pepper and lingering oak.
FAQ
What proof is Lost Monarch? It is bottled at 90 proof, or 45 percent alcohol by volume.
Is it bourbon or rye? Both. It is a blend of straight bourbon and straight rye whiskeys, designated on the label as a blend of straight whiskeys rather than as either category. Rye leads the blend.
What are the mashbills? The rye component is 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley. The bourbon component is 75 percent corn, 21 percent raw rye and 4 percent malted barley, so it is a high rye bourbon.
What is the name about? Lost Monarch is the world's largest coast redwood by volume, standing over 320 feet tall in the Grove of Titans in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Its GPS coordinates and dimensions are printed on the bottle.
Does it have an age statement? No. The blend draws on barrels of varying ages, with older bourbon and younger rye components, but no age is stated on the label.
Where can I buy Redwood Empire Lost Monarch online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
