Redwood Empire Rocket Top Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

Redwood Empire Rocket Top Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey is grain-to-glass California rye from a single distilling season, aged five years in charred oak and bottled at the bonded 100 proof with Russian River water. High rye — typically in the mid-to-high 80s, with malted barley, wheat, and sometimes a little corn — is why cherry and graham-cracker sweetness show up beside cinnamon and pepper. Named for a 365-foot Humboldt redwood. Build a spirit-forward cocktail.

Cinnamon, cherry, and caramel open, then graham cracker, fig jam, and a cool mint lift. Black pepper and toasted oak settle into a medium, creamy finish. The rye is assertive without turning dusty, which is why it holds a Manhattan or a neat pour equally well.