Redwood Empire is more than a cool name, it’s our home and a source of inspiration.

We take handcrafted to the next level. Our obsessive distilling team is hands-on in every step of the production process to ensure perfection in each batch. Head Distiller Jeff Duckhorn combines wine country heritage with the mindset of a maker, be it bread, beer or kombucha. The team of four follows an environmentally sustainable approach in all production methods; Redwood Empire whiskey is truly a nod to the collaboration of man and nature.

Our distillery is in the heart of the Russian River Valley wine region. It was carved out of the buildings that originally housed an apple canning and processing plant owned by the Hallberg family, one of the area’s preeminent families during “West County’s” apple production heyday. The Hallbergs were known for producing a wide variety of apple products, mainly under the Redwood Empire label. The facility and the climate make this the ideal place to make great whiskey, with plenty of relics on site to remind us of our ties to a rich agricultural history.

We source the best Midwestern Rye, Corn, Barley and Wheat as well as California grown grains. Rye is marked by its spicy intensity, with notes of pepper, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon. Corn is Bourbon’s signature ingredient. Over years of ageing, corn becomes neutral and allows the barrel selection to ignite the flavour profile. We prize Malted Barley for its chocolate notes.

Our custom designed Mashtun uses direct steam injection to efficiently and quickly break down the starches into sugars that turn into work with the yeast to turn the grain into flavourful spirits. We use a variety of fermentation techniques, both off the grain, separating solids prior to fermentation, and on the grain, based on each unique mash bill to maximise the aromatics and flavour complexity.

Our innovative continuous micro-column still was custom designed and built by Headframe Stills of Butte, Montana. Its two column distillation process allows for a finer cut of heads and tails, resulting in greater purity. Here in West Sonoma County moderate seasonal temperatures, not too hot and not too cold, allow for even, consistent barrel aging. This environment is perfect for making whiskeys with consistently exceptional character.

Like it? You can buy a bottle via Master of Malt