The Stats
- Distillery: Redwood Empire Whiskey
- Location: California, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee
- Type: Blend of Straight Whiskeys
- Age: No age statement (components aged 7–14 years)
- Proof: 110 (55% ABV)
- Blend: 32% Bourbon, 30% Rye, 25% Wheat Whiskey, 13% Single Malt
- Mash Bills: More than 10
- Barrels: Approximately 79
- Filtration: Unfiltered
- Release: August 2026, Batch 001 (Limited Annual Series)
- MSRP: $100
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Bourbon, rye, wheat whiskey, and single malt. Four different styles of whiskey that Redwood Empire decided to put into one bottle. It's an ambitious idea, and one that could either create something pretty special or get unnecessarily complicated.
We've been impressed with Redwood Empire over the years, especially their Haystack Needle single barrels. But Hyperion is something entirely different. It's the first release in a new annual series built around experimentation, and with so many different whiskeys involved, we weren't quite sure what to expect.
The Whiskey Behind the Bottle
Named after the world's tallest known living tree, Hyperion brings together whiskey from California, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. The blend includes more than ten mash bills, with components aged between 7 and 14 years.
The recipe is 32% bourbon, 30% rye, 25% wheat whiskey, and 13% single malt. That last component comes from Redwood Empire's own California distilling operation.
Bottled at 110 proof with a suggested retail price of $100, Hyperion is an interesting exercise in blending. Rather than letting one whiskey style dominate, Redwood Empire is bringing several distinct profiles together into something new.
This isn't meant to be a one-time experiment. Hyperion will return annually with a different blend, giving the distillery an opportunity to explore new combinations with each release.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Bright, juicy stone fruit leads with apricot and peach. The nose has an almost summery quality, followed by chocolate, subtle baking spice, and a touch of mint. As it opens up, a slightly malty, brownie-like character emerges.
Taste
Tart apple and orange tea make an immediate impression, followed by hints of molasses, vanilla, and caramel. The fruitiness in the nose gives way to earthier, malty flavors, including chocolate and mint. There's some creaminess, although the mouthfeel is lighter than we expected from a 110-proof whiskey.
Finish
More dry and earthy than sweet, with subtle chocolate, mint, and tea-like notes. The flavors don't develop quite as much as we'd hoped, leaving us wanting a little more oak, spice, and richness.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
7 / 10 - Good
Hyperion turned out to be one of those whiskeys that we couldn't quite agree on.
The nose had us both excited, but the palate took a different turn. Scott found the whiskey enjoyable but ultimately a little underwhelming. With so many components involved, he expected more depth and a richer mouthfeel. The flavors never quite came together the way he'd hoped.
Arthur found more to appreciate in the unconventional profile. While it lacked some of the richness we'd hoped for, there was enough character and complexity to keep things interesting.
And that's what makes Hyperion interesting. It's not trying to taste like a traditional bourbon, and judging it by those expectations might miss what Redwood Empire is aiming for.
Buy or Skip:
Conditional Buy
At $100, Hyperion is worth exploring, but it depends on what you enjoy in a whiskey. If you prefer rich, oak-forward bourbon with plenty of caramel and baking spice, we'd probably steer you toward Redwood Empire's Haystack Needle single barrels. We've had some exceptional bottles from that lineup.
But if you enjoy rye, American single malt, or simply want to discover something outside the usual whiskey profiles, Hyperion deserves a look. It's fruity, earthy, a little unusual, and likely to generate some conversation.
Scott wouldn't rush out to buy another bottle, while Arthur is more enthusiastic about what Redwood Empire has created. We both agree this series has potential, especially if future releases bring a little more depth and richness.
Hyperion might not be for everyone, but that's part of what makes it interesting. We're already looking forward to seeing what Redwood Empire does with Batch 002.
Where Does It Rank?
We score every whiskey we review on the same 10-point scale, making it easy to compare bottles across styles, distilleries, and price points. Explore our complete whiskey rankings to see how every bottle stacks up.
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