Redwood Empire’s new $99 limited release throws four whiskey categories, more than 10 mash bills and 7–14-year-old stocks into one 110-proof “blend bill.”
MARE ISLAND, California (August 21, 2026) — Redwood Empire Whiskey is taking a deliberately unconventional approach to American whiskey with The Hyperion Blend of Straight Whiskeys Batch 001, the first in what the California distiller says will be an annual series of limited releases designed to explore the boundaries of American whiskey.
Rather than building Hyperion around a traditional mash bill, Master Distiller Jeff Duckhorn and Master Blender Lauren Patz created what Redwood Empire calls a “blend bill”: 32% bourbon whiskey, 30% rye whiskey, 25% wheat whiskey and 13% American single malt.
The result is an unfiltered 110-proof whiskey assembled from approximately 79 barrels, with stocks ranging from 7 to 14 years old.
What Makes The Hyperion Different?
The most interesting thing about Hyperion isn’t simply that it contains four different whiskey styles. It’s that Redwood Empire intentionally approaches the whiskey as an exploration of its entire barrel inventory.
The inaugural batch combines more than 10 mash bills and whiskey stocks distilled by Redwood Empire as well as producers in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.
The 13% single malt component is particularly notable. Unlike the sourced bourbon, rye and wheat whiskey components, Redwood Empire says the single malt is entirely grain-to-glass whiskey distilled by Redwood Empire.
The blend entered toasted, Char No. 3 barrels between 110 and 120 proof before maturing in Northern California, where warm days and cool, fog-influenced nights provide a distinctly different maturation environment.
And unlike a conventional ongoing expression, Redwood Empire says each Hyperion release will be entirely distinct and will not be repeated.
The Hyperion “Blend Bill”
Rather than listing one mash bill, Batch 001 breaks down this way:
- 32% Bourbon Whiskey
- 30% Rye Whiskey
- 25% Wheat Whiskey
- 13% American Single Malt Whiskey
The blend represents approximately 79 barrels across multiple mash bills and whiskey stocks.
The resulting whiskey is bottled at 110 proof (55% ABV) and is unfiltered.
Redwood Empire says the single malt is entirely grain-to-glass whiskey distilled by Redwood Empire.
What Does The Hyperion Taste Like?
Redwood Empire describes Batch 001 as a “flavor bomb,” with California walnut and roasted apricot on the nose.
The palate brings pomegranate molasses, stone fruit, cream and warm baking spice, followed by a long finish featuring toffee and toasted malt.
That combination makes sense given the diversity of the blend. Rather than emphasizing one traditional whiskey profile, Hyperion appears designed around the interaction between several different whiskey styles and maturation stocks.
The Hyperion Batch 001: Quick Specs
- Producer: Redwood Empire Whiskey
- Release: The Hyperion Blend of Straight Whiskeys Batch 001
- Proof: 110 proof
- ABV: 55%
- Blend: 32% bourbon / 30% rye / 25% wheat / 13% single malt
- Age Range: 7–14 years
- Barrels: Approximately 79
- Mash Bills: More than 10
- Origin: Redwood Empire, Kentucky, Indiana, & Tennessee
- Filtration: Unfiltered
- Barrel: Toasted, Char No. 3
- MSRP: $99 / 750 mL
Redwood Empire The Hyperion Batch 001 is being released in August 2026 at a suggested retail price of $99 for a 750ml bottle.
The whiskey is available for pre-order through Redwood Empire’s online shop, with bottles also expected at select retailers including Total Wine & More, Spec’s and local craft bottle shops throughout the fall.
A tasting review will tell us whether the ambitious blend works as well in the glass as it does on paper.
The Hyperion looks like the kind of release that deserves to be tasted before it’s categorized.
Why This Release Matters
The American whiskey category has become increasingly comfortable with experimentation, but Hyperion takes a particularly interesting approach.
Instead of simply finishing a bourbon in an unusual cask or releasing another single-source blend, Redwood Empire is asking what happens when bourbon, rye, wheat whiskey and American single malt are deliberately brought together.
That makes the 13% single malt component more than a footnote. It introduces a whiskey category with a very different production tradition into a blend otherwise dominated by familiar American whiskey styles.
The result also raises an interesting question for whiskey drinkers: How much does the category designation of the individual components matter once a blender combines them into a finished whiskey?
That’s part of what makes Hyperion worth watching beyond Batch 001. Redwood Empire says this is the beginning of an annual series, with each batch intended to be different.
The Bourbon Bishop Take
The Hyperion is an intriguing example of where American whiskey blending is headed.
There’s nothing particularly revolutionary about blending different barrels, mash bills or whiskey ages. What makes this release interesting is the willingness to cross categories so deliberately. Bourbon, rye, wheat whiskey and American single malt aren’t merely appearing alongside one another. They’re being treated as ingredients in a single creative exercise.
The 13% Redwood Empire-distilled single malt is especially compelling. It’s a relatively small portion of the blend, but it gives Hyperion an identity beyond simply being another multi-state bourbon blend.
The bigger question, of course, is whether all of those components actually make the whiskey better. A complicated blend isn’t automatically a great blend. The proof will ultimately be in the glass.
Bourbon Bishop Bottom Line:
The Hyperion looks like the kind of release that deserves to be tasted before it’s categorized. Redwood Empire is deliberately stepping outside the traditional bourbon playbook, and at 110 proof and $99, Batch 001 offers an interesting opportunity to see whether four whiskey categories can become something greater than the sum of their parts.
About Redwood Empire Whiskey
Founded in 2013, Redwood Empire Whiskey is a Northern California whiskey producer built around the character of its home region. Named for the historic Redwood Empire and the towering trees that define the landscape, the brand combines its own grain-to-glass distillate with thoughtfully sourced whiskey from across the country. Today, Master Distiller Jeff Duckhorn and Master Blender Lauren Patz lead the production team, balancing traditional whiskey-making with a willingness to experiment across styles, ages and mash bills.
Redwood Empire has built one of the largest aging whiskey inventories on the West Coast while maintaining a deliberately hands-on approach to distilling, maturation and blending. Its portfolio spans bourbon, rye, wheat whiskey and American single malt, with an emphasis on expressive, approachable whiskey and California character. The brand also puts conservation at the center of its identity, supporting redwood restoration and reforestation efforts as part of its commitment to the forests that inspired its name.
Related Articles
Bardstown Bourbon Company announces 2026 Discovery and Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish, two limited releases arriving nationwide August 21 at $139.99.
Confused by whiskey terms like small batch, bottled in bond, NDP, cask strength, or mash bill? Here’s a plain-English whiskey dictionary that defines common whiskey words and actually makes sense.
Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey blends 10- and 11-year-old bourbon with 11-year-old rye before a 27-month finish in pineapple rum casks. Learn about the Kentucky-exclusive 106-proof release, production process, availability, and what makes this experimental whiskey unique.
Mugen Spirit’s new Oni release blends Kentucky bourbon with Japanese folklore, expanding the Yokai Series through barrel proof small batch blending and original artwork by Yuko Shimizu.
Small Batch has no legal definition, but a growing number of independent bottlers and craft distilleries are redefining the term through transparency, intentional blending, and truly limited barrel counts.
Green River Distilling Co. has announced Honey Finished Bourbon, a 92-proof Kentucky straight bourbon finished in-barrel with 100% real honey and no artificial sweeteners or additives.