Overview: Redwood Empire has unveiled “Hyperion,” a new limited-edition annual release that combines four distinct whiskey styles. Crafted by Master Distiller Jeff Duckhorn and Master Blender Lauren Patz, the blend features components aged between seven and 14 years from Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Redwood’s own stock. The inaugural Batch 001 is available in a limited run of 12,000 bottles starting late August 2026.
The Full Story
Since its founding in 2013, Redwood Empire has established itself as one of California’s most recognizable whiskey brands. Early reputation was built on sourced and blended whiskeys, with the distillery more recently incorporating its own aged distillate into various products. Hyperion represents a halfway point between these two approaches, marrying highly-aged whiskeys from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana with a significant portion of Redwood’s in-house whiskey. The name pays homage to Hyperion, a 380-foot tall Northern California coast redwood believed to be the world’s tallest living tree.
Production & Profile
The blend composition consists of 32% bourbon, 30% rye, 25% wheat whiskey, and 13% American single malt. The single malt component was entirely distilled in-house by Redwood Empire. All whiskeys were aged in #3 char barrels with barrel entry proofs ranging between 110 and 120. The final product is bottled at 110 proof. To construct the blend, straight whiskeys from between 50 and 100 total barrels were selected. According to Patz, each of the four spirit types features whiskeys mashed, fermented, and distilled by Redwood Empire, in addition to sourced whiskeys. A full 100% of the American single malt came from Redwood’s in-house production. After numerous tests, the final product was blended to 110 proof before bottling. The team utilized a slow proof process of incremental step downs and allowed for several months of tank attenuation.
Tasting notes describe a nose that kicks off with loads of dried orchard fruit, including apricots, figs, red plums, and white peaches, followed by baking spice, cardamom, and toasted oak. On the palate, first sips are remarkably soft and approachable, drinking below its 110 proof. Fruit leads the profile with tart cherry juice and huckleberries, while smoked, spiced maple syrup and vanilla bean dominate the midpalate. The back palate features chocolate-covered espresso beans, cinnamon, and lingering flavors of cherry syrup, black tea, and dark malt.
Brand & Industry History
Redwood Empire has evolved from sourcing whiskeys to incorporating more of its own aged distillate into various products since 2013. This release marks a transition where the brand marries highly-aged sourced components with in-house production. Master Distiller Jeff Duckhorn and Master Blender Lauren Patz selected straight whiskeys from between 50 and 100 total barrels to construct the blend. Duckhorn notes that the oldest whiskey in the blend was Indiana bourbon.
What This Means
The release showcases the best of what Redwood Empire has in stock within a new, annual, and limited-edition series. It demonstrates the distillery’s capability to manage a complex four-part release while maintaining composure and flavor depth without relying solely on proof or linear punch.
Consumer Takeaway
Each 750mL bottle carries a suggested retail price of $99. The total release size clocks in around 12,000 bottles, available both online and in various retailers starting late August 2026.
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