Redwood Empire 8 Year Old Haystack Needle Single Barrel Rye 118.4 PF

Experience the rugged spirit of the California coast with **Redwood Empire 8 Year Old "Haystack Needle" Single Barrel Rye (Barrel #2766)**. Distilled grain-to-glass in the heart of Sonoma County, this rare single barrel release showcases the distillery's "high-rye" mastery. Aged for over **8 years** in level 3 charred American White Oak barrels, it is bottled at a potent **118.4 Proof**, delivering a drinking experience that is unfiltered, unadulterated, and unapologetically bold.

Drawn from Barrel #2766, this expression features a robust mash bill of **90% Rye, 5% Wheat, and 5% Malted Barley**. This unique recipe uses a touch of wheat to soften the aggressive spice of the rye, creating a "velvet hammer" effect. With intense notes of cracked black pepper, toasted grain, and dark honey, this is a collector's bottle that proves the best American rye isn't always from Kentucky.

Key Features

• Producer: Redwood Empire Distilling (Sonoma, CA)
• Edition: Haystack Needle Single Barrel (Barrel #2766)
• Age: 8 Years
• Proof: 118.4 (59.2% ABV)
• Mash Bill: 90% Rye, 5% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley
• Production: Distilled Grain-to-Glass, Non-Chill Filtered

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Complex and inviting. Aromas of **cracked black pepper** and **rye bread** mingle with sweet notes of deep caramel, vanilla bean, and seasoned oak.
• Palate: Bold and structured. An assertive wave of **rye spice** and **toasted grain** is balanced by layers of honeyed sweetness, baking spices, and a hint of dark chocolate.
• Finish: Long, warming, and sophisticated. The high proof carries lingering notes of **dry oak**, **pepper**, and a refined sweetness that coats the palate.

Why Choose Barrel #2766?

• High-Rye Intensity: With a 90% rye mash bill, this barrel delivers the classic peppery backbone enthusiasts love, elevated by the distillery's meticulous grain-to-glass process.
• California Exclusive Profile: Often released as a distillery or state exclusive, this barrel represents a unique "snapshot" of the Sonoma climate's influence on aging whiskey.
• Cask Strength Purity: Bottled near 120 proof without chill filtration, it retains all the natural oils and esters for a rich, chewy mouthfeel.