Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1050740
86 / the tasting panel / november 2018 REPORT whiskey Endless Summer: CALI Distillery As the rest of the country braces itself for the harsh winter months ahead, California continues to soak in the sun and make use of an abundance of fresh ingredients. The easy-going culture and natural products of the Golden State cre- ate a fitting backdrop for CALI Distillery, a small craft spirits company owned by Marni and Howard Witkin. CALI'S portfolio of non-GMO and kosher spirits includes three small-batch whiskey expressions. A high-rye bourbon finished with a blend of hand-selected and –processed botanicals, herbs, and spices, CALI California Sipping Whiskey ($29) mirrors the mellow beach vibes one expects of the West Coast. Much like its namesake, the 118-proof Riptide Cask Strength Rye ($32) washes over the palate with a wave of complex and powerful flavors. Meanwhile, Mavericks Doublewood Whiskey ($32)—the first release in the Mavericks California Barrel Finished Series—ages first in new American oak before finishing in toasted oak. Future batches will feature barrels from boutique California vineyards. tasting notes Riptide Cask Strength Rye is a cask-strength rye at 118 proof. The nose exudes sweet maple and oatmeal with a peach tonality. Marzipan, black tea, and white pepper generously flavor this super- complex American whiskey. 92 —M.M. Mavericks Doublewood Whiskey ages in New American oak before finishing in French oak. This luxurious "doublewood" whiskey has a perfume of jasmine, orange peel, and new leather. At 90 proof, it's approachable with tremendously ripe, extroverted notes of peach and apricot sweetened by buttered toffee. 94 —M.M. CALI California Sipping Whiskey Fresh and fragrant scents of pumpkin bread, orange peel, and baked apples waft from the glass. Nutmeg, allspice, molasses, and dark bread make up the all-star cast on the palate, assembling to create a truly distinctive whiskey. Handcrafted from a mash of bourbon, rye, hand-ground botanicals, and aromatic spices, this spirit warms the mouth as well as any hot toddy, with increasingly sweet cinnamon notes persisting through the finish. 92 —M.M. SUKKAH HILL SPIRITS/CALI DISTILLERY