Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Single Barrel #2172 8 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey

Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Single Barrel #2172 is a deeply expressive, craft-centric bourbon that marries extended maturation with a high-proof punch. Richly layered, structured, and highly aromatic, it delivers a rewarding experience for aficionados who enjoy intense oak influence, spice complexity, and a long, lingering finish — perfect for thoughtful neat sipping or bold whiskey cocktails.

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Origins & Craftsmanship

This expression is drawn from a single barrel (No. 2172) selected by Redwood Empire Distillery, a California producer known for high-impact whiskey profiles and meticulous barrel management. Crafted from a traditional bourbon mash bill, the distillate was matured in new charred American oak barrels with a Char 3 level, an intermediate char that promotes robust extraction of wood sugars, vanillin, and spice compounds.

Barrel #2172 spent 8 years and 7 months in oak, a substantial maturation period that deepens both flavor and texture while harmonizing grain character with toast and tannin. The bourbon is bottled at 118.8 proof (59.4% ABV) without chill filtration, preserving maximum aromatic intensity, mouthfeel, and complexity directly from barrel.

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Critics Reviews

There are no formal published professional critic scores available specifically for Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Single Barrel #2172 from major spirits publications. In enthusiast and craft bourbon communities, this single barrel — like other Haystack Needle single barrel releases — is praised for its depth of flavor, bold oak integration, and balanced high-proof expression, often standing out among regional craft bourbon single barrels for its approachability despite elevated strength.

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Tasting Profile

Nose:
Inviting and richly nuanced, with toasted oak, rich caramel, and maple syrup at the forefront. Underlying notes of dried orchard fruit (apricot, raisin), vanilla bean, and brown spice (cinnamon and clove) weave through a backdrop of charred wood and faint leather.

Palate:
Full-bodied and richly textured, opening with butterscotch and dark brown sugar, quickly joined by oak spice, black pepper, and roasted grain. Layers of nutmeg, cedar, and subtle tobacco leaf develop mid-palate alongside a grounding backbone of vanilla-caramel sweetness derived from extended barrel maturation.

Finish:
Long and warming, with lingering oak spice, dark fruit echoes, and a smooth, tannic warmth that tapers into a bold yet balanced close — a testament to both proof and time in wood.

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Quick Overview

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Cocktail Recipes

Golden Barrel Old-Fashioned

• 2 oz Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Single Barrel #2172

• 0.25 oz demerara syrup

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
  Stir with ice; strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with a lightly expressed orange peel.

Vintage Manhattan

• 2 oz Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Single Barrel #2172

• 1 oz sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a luxardo cherry.

Charred Honey Sipper

• 2 oz Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Single Barrel #2172

• 0.5 oz honey-cardamom syrup
  Stir with ice; strain into a rocks glass over a large cube. Garnish with a lemon wheel to contrast the spice.