Spirits can often be compared to a great meal, or a great work of art. Just like both of these examples, spirits are more often than not a labor of love, that are created with a great deal of artistry and care.
I can’t think of few better examples of this, than Charbay Distilleries Whiskey Release-II, an American Whiskey that’s been distilled from a bottle-ready pilsner hailing from a Northern California micro-brewery.
While all whiskey (and whisky) is essentially distilled from a beer, this is the first time I’ve run into a product that’s used a bottle ready beer.
Miles and Marko Karakasevic , Charbay’s two master distillers, have thirteen generations of distilling knowledge in their blood, which culminates in this masterpiece of brown liquid.
During the course of distillation, Miles and Marko hand cut(or separate) the heart(the quality spirit) of the whiskey from the heads and tails(the undesirable elements) a skill that’s been passed down from one generation to the next.
With their first whiskey offering they started with only 24 barrels, and aged the whisky for a period of three years, at which point they bottled it at cask-strength(124.9) proof, yet the feedback they received was that it was comparable in smoothness to most 15 year old whiskies.
With the second release, dubbed Charbay Whiskey Release II, they started with only 22 barrels, but let it age for a total of six years in custom-made new American White Oak barrels that were charred to #3, and aged at a variety of temperatures to create additional flavor nuances. After about six years, five barrels were selected based on flavor profile and then transferred to stainless steel for another three years.
This artisanal approach results in a whiskey that leads in with a nose of sweet coconut and vanilla that’s followed up by minor hints of smoke.
Upon tasting, flavors of sweet milk chocolate, and nuances of orange greet the palate. As you delve deeper into the whiskey, occasional touches of mint, ginger and apples reveal themselves.
The spirit ends with a warm finish that’s filled with notes of pistachio, cocoa, and flavors of stout, reminding you how Miles and Marko created this magnificent spirit.
Charbay Whiskey Release II retails for $350 per 750ml bottle.
Final Score: 9.5/10
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