Soapbox moment? Soapbox moment. Too many whiskies these days are intended to be limited, or special, or allocated, or something you can’t find, can’t afford, and can’t understand why there’s so much hype about it, or just a cash grab. As a fan of whiskey exploration, that frustrates me. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good limited edition whiskey, and I understand not everyone can have each of those. But if we try to make all new whiskey limited, then we’re not improving the options of the whiskey moment for everyone, just for those with both the time and money to track down and pay for rare products. So, sometimes I get fed up with the limited whiskey category.
This whiskey is not of that category.
I would say that this whiskey is not intended to be mind blowing whiskey. It’s also not meant to be hard to get, or to be absurdly expensive.
It’s meant to be good, enjoyable, and something you’ll keep around in your collection, buying it over and over again without concern, because you don’t have to take dip into your retirement fund to afford it, and you don’t have to wait in line for two hours
I mean, do I know these things for certain? No. I don’t know anything about the fine people who produce this product. But I do know it’s usually something I can find around me (in VA and DC) and it’s not that expensive (last time I picked it up, I paid $35). Since I live in the land of limited supply and high demand, the confluence of being able to find it and not pay through the nose for it means the folks at Redwood Empire are interested in providing a product that everyone can enjoy.
And they’ve succeeded. It’s available, and more importantly, it’s very enjoyable. Again, it’s not mind blowing. But it’s solid. I never feel disappointed when drinking this. It’s a top 20 affordable whiskey for me.
On the nose, a rich high rye character gives way to sweet floral rye notes which are nice, and a little bit of herbal soapiness, which I enjoy less.
The heat is very mild, just enough to balance things out but not enough to cover up the delicate palate notes.
On the palate it is very bright, sweet and light, steering toward the rye side of things on the palate, with floral herb elements really coming through, but none of the soap I got on the nose, which I count as a positive. The bourbon element provides nice depth giving the palate more layers than you’d get in either a 90 proof rye or bourbon. It does nothing wrong, but also does nothing that I would call special. But, if you look back to the beginning of this post, that’s kinda the point and I’m happy with that.
The finish is generally weak, lacking in mouth linger, and has an off note pop up here or there. I put that more towards this being 90 proof than anything else. I expect no chest hug from a 90 proof whiskey, and any positive mouth linger is just a bonus.
Overall this is a whiskey that does a great job of occupying the same space as Russell’s Reserve 10, or Knob Creek Small Batch, or similar whiskies. It’s not going to change your life when you taste it, but it is an excellent option for a daily sipper of high quality that doesn’t break the bank.
So a tip of the cap to, and a cheer for, Redwood Empire. Lost Monarch is good daily whiskey that you can find, afford and enjoy. And then repeat.
Final rating: 81 of 100
Cost per 50 ml: $2.33
weird artwork, but who doesn’t occasionally have trees on the brain, right?
Whiskey Repartee 