Redwood Empire Whiskey: California Craft Spirits with a Conservation Mission

In the shadow of California's ancient redwood forests, where the tallest trees on earth have stood for thousands of years, a distillery is making whiskey with a purpose beyond the bottle. Redwood Empire Whiskey, founded in Graton, Sonoma County, is one of California's most exciting craft distilleries — producing bold, characterful American whiskeys while donating a portion of every sale to the preservation of old-growth redwood forests. Great whiskey with a great cause.

The Story Behind Redwood Empire

Redwood Empire was founded with a simple but powerful idea: that a spirits company could be a force for environmental good without compromising on quality. Located in Sonoma County — one of America's great wine and spirits regions — the distillery draws on California's rich agricultural heritage and the pure, clean water of the region to produce whiskeys that are distinctly American in character but uniquely Californian in spirit.

The name is a tribute to the magnificent coastal redwood forests of Northern California — some of the oldest living organisms on earth. A portion of every bottle sold goes directly to redwood conservation efforts, making every purchase a small act of environmental stewardship.

The Whiskeys

Redwood Empire produces a range of American whiskeys that showcase the diversity and creativity of California craft distilling:

• Pipe Dream Bourbon — The flagship. A blend of straight bourbons aged in new American oak, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak. Approachable, well-balanced, and deeply satisfying.
• Lost Monarch Blended Whiskey — A blend of straight bourbon and straight rye, named after the largest known coast redwood tree. Rich and complex, with the spice of rye complementing the sweetness of bourbon.
• Emerald Giant Rye — A bold, spicy straight rye whiskey with notes of black pepper, dried fruit, and a long, warming finish. Named after one of the tallest redwood trees in the world.
• Rocket Top Bourbon — A cask-strength expression for those who want their bourbon at full power. Intense, concentrated, and deeply complex.
• Grizzly Beast Bourbon — A high-rye bourbon with a bold, assertive character. Named after the California grizzly bear, now extinct — a reminder of what we stand to lose without conservation.

What Makes Redwood Empire Different

In a crowded craft spirits market, Redwood Empire stands out for several reasons:

• California Terroir — The distillery uses locally sourced grains where possible and the pure water of Sonoma County, giving their whiskeys a distinctly Californian character.
• Conservation Mission — Every bottle sold contributes to redwood forest preservation. For consumers who care about where their money goes, this is a meaningful differentiator.
• Craft at Scale — Redwood Empire has achieved the rare feat of maintaining craft quality while growing to a size that allows for consistent distribution. Their whiskeys are reliably excellent across every batch.
• Value — For the quality delivered, Redwood Empire whiskeys represent exceptional value — particularly compared to allocated Kentucky bourbons at similar or higher price points.

Redwood Empire and the California Whiskey Movement

California is emerging as one of America's most exciting whiskey-producing states, with a growing number of craft distilleries challenging the Kentucky establishment. Redwood Empire is at the forefront of this movement — proving that exceptional American whiskey doesn't have to come from the Bluegrass State.

For collectors interested in the future of American whiskey, California craft distilleries like Redwood Empire represent an exciting frontier. Early releases from the best California producers are likely to be looked back on as the beginning of something significant.

Shop Redwood Empire at Fortuna Liquors

We carry Redwood Empire whiskeys at Fortuna Liquors, celebrating California's craft spirits scene while supporting a brand that gives back to the environment. Ask our team about current availability and upcoming releases.