Redwood Empire Haystack Needle, 59.6%

The nose of this 8 year old single barrel opens with candied orange, pine, black pepper, and an abundance of baking spice, particularly cinnamon. On the luscious palate, more cinnamon tumbles out, and it’s hot but not painfully so; the heat is balanced by creamy breve coffee, peppery spice, orange peel, a little chocolate, and a lick of lemon frosting. Chocolate coffee cake emerges on the finish, but rich spice remains the ringleader.