Redwood Empire Rocket Top Batch 2 at 100 proof — at $90, the question is whether it delivers on its promise. I sat down with a pour to find out.
Nose
This looks very nice in a glencairn. Clean caramel coloring with a soft orange hue, and light but noticeable viscosity. Not what I expected from all that rye. Very sweet aroma of cherry, caramel, and dates. All that sweetness isnt cloying though, it is balanced by something herbaceous that I honestly cant place and a solid backbone of baking spices. Rich, creamy mouthfeel delivers caramel corn and the cinnamon from the nose. That earthy, ground cinnamon note is perceptible from beginning to end of the Rocket Top experience. The sweetness of the first impression fades into tannic dried fruit and lands on big vanilla and oak for the finish which fades slowly with the omnipresent rye spice.
Palate
I tasted spices the whole time, but wouldnt call this spicy. The rye is assertive, but more as earthy and tannic notes that play a near perfect contrast to the sweeter side of the glass. Unique among high ryes Ive tasted for the heavy weighting of sweetness over spice in a way that brings out the best in both.
Finish
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
The Bottom Line
Redwood Empire Rocket Top Batch 2 delivers the goods. It is well-made, genuinely enjoyable, and at $90 represents solid value for what you are getting. I would happily buy this again.
