U.S. Craft Distillers

Small, independent folks are starting their own brands.  They don’t always do things in the traditional way, but all aim to produce superior quality and offer a new experience for the adventurous consumer

St. George Single Malt Whiskey (California)  .  .  $76⁹⁹

Barley roasted to different levels, some unroasted barley smoked over beech & alder, aged in a variety of different barrels – bourbon, French oak, Port, & Sherry adds complexity.  Flavors layered with notes of dried apricot, honeyed fruit.  Aromas show hazelnut & cocoa.  Complex.

Sam Houston Whiskey (Kentucky)  .  .  $28⁹⁹

The bouquet shows hints of caramel, vanilla, & smoke.  Richly textured, the flavors of candied fruit and spice resolve in a lingering finish.

Four Roses Single Barrel (Kentucky)  .  .  $45⁹⁹ 

10 unique distillate flavors are barreled separately each year in charred white oak.  Each barrel is sampled and one is selected for bottling at 100 proof.  This one shows flavors of honey, maple syrup, with hints of cinnamon & nutmeg.

Corsair Triple Smoke (Tennessee)  .  .  $53⁹⁹

The malted barley is smoked in 3 separate lots – cherry wood, beechwood, & peat - then pot distilled and aged in new charred oak.  Bouquet of peat and smoke like an Islay scotch, sweet barrel notes, and a smooth, smoky finish.

Charbay Clear Whiskey (California)  .  .  $52⁹⁹

Bear Republic, a California craft beer producer, is known for its Racer 5 IPA.  This whiskey is distilled not from grain but from Racer 5 IPA.  Aged 22 months in stainless.  Flavors show a sweet, hoppy citrus, creamy texture, & bitter orange.

Angel’s Envy Bourbon (Kentucky)  .  .  $52⁹⁹

This bourbon spends 6 years in American charred white oak and then is finished in Port barrels.  The Port influence is subtle, not spoiling the bourbon integrity, but adding notes of red berries, tangerine, & toffee all in a rich, silky style.

Whistlepig Rye (Vermont)  .  .  $71⁹⁹

From a former dairy farm.  100% rye whiskey aged a minimum of 10 years in barrel (1^st five in American oak, 2^nd five in used bourbon).  Bold, spicy flavors with caramel & mint, spice/ginger aromatics.  Long, silky texture.  Bottled at 100 proof.

Dry Fly Wheat Whisky (Washington)  .  .  $49⁹⁹

Only 1500 bottles are hand-filled each run.  Distilled from local (Spokane) winter wheat in a German pot still and aged in new Tennessee oak barrels.  Nose of caramel, butterscotch & honey.  Lovely, soft mouth feel with flavors of orange, peach, toffee, and a bit of mint.