Redwood Empire Van Duzen Rye Whiskey
Redwood Empire Van Duzen Rye Whiskey is California rye with a twist: an unusually high proportion of malted barley in the mash bill — about 67% rye, 31% malted barley and 2% wheat — aged in toasted and Char 3 barrels, bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV) in a 700mL bottle. Distilled, aged and bottled grain-to-glass in Sonoma County as part of the brand's Small Lot Series. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 94 proof (47% ABV)
- Size: 700mL
- Mash bill: ~67% rye / 31% malted barley / 2% wheat
- Barrels: Toasted and Char 3; Small Lot Series (Batch 2 = 64 barrels)
- Origin: Grain-to-glass in Sonoma County, California
- Namesake: The Van Duzen River, Northern California
A Rye Built on Malt
Most rye whiskeys keep malted barley to a whisper; Van Duzen makes it a statement at roughly a third of the mash bill, giving the whiskey a rounded, almost Scotch-like malt sweetness under the rye spice. Named for the Van Duzen River winding through Northern California's redwood groves, it's part of Redwood Empire's Small Lot Series — small-batch, grain-to-glass, and tied to the brand's Trees for the Future reforestation work. Browse the Redwood Empire Whiskey collection and explore more rye whiskey at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Nose of rye spice, orange zest, warm spice and toasted oak with vanilla and malt. The palate is bold — cracked pepper and rye spice, caramel, toffee, dried fruit and fig, charred oak — balanced by malted-barley sweetness, with a subtle smoky edge some tasters note. Long, warming, smooth finish of spice and oak.
How to Enjoy
Neat to appreciate the high-malt character, or in a Manhattan where the malt rounds out the vermouth beautifully. The 94 proof also makes it a rye that stands up in a Sazerac.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mash bill of Van Duzen Rye?
About 67% rye with an unusually high 31% malted barley and 2% wheat.
Is Van Duzen Rye 700mL or 750mL?
It is sold in 700mL bottles.
How long is Van Duzen Rye aged?
No age statement is published; it is a straight rye whiskey (minimum 2 years) in the brand's Small Lot Series.
Add Redwood Empire Van Duzen Rye to your cart at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA — Northern California rye with a malt-forward soul.