St. George Spirits whisky inspired by Japan

Independent US distillery St. George Spirits has released a new single malt whisky described as a “California take on the Japanese spin on Scotch whisky”.

The innovative Baller Single Malt Whisky is finished in barrels that once held umeshu

Baller Single Malt Whisky, created using 100% American malted and roasted barely, is said to have a “crisp, dry, malty” flavour profile.

Distilled in the California-based distillery’s eau de vie pot stills, the whisky is aged for three to four years in used Bourbon and French oak casks before being filtered through maple charcoal.

It is then finished in casks that previously held St. George Spirits-made umeshu – a Japanese style of plum liqueur that the distillery made entirely from California-grown ume fruit.

Master distiller Lance Winters directed the artwork featuring on the bottle’s label, which reimagines the legend of St. George as a samurai. Oakland, California artist Sylvia Solochek Walters produced the original watercolour artwork and Eri Takase produced the calligraphy.

Bottled at 47% abv, Baller Single Malt Whisky will initially be exclusively distributed in California at an RRP of US$65.00.

“We created this spirit with whiskey highballs in mind, hence the name Baller,” the distillery said. “We also recommend it in place of Scotch whisky in a Bobby Burns or Rob Roy, or in a Boulevardier variation made with our Bruto Americano aperitivo liqueur.”

St. George Spirits is planning to launch bitter aperitivo liqueur Bruto Americano in May at an RRP of US$30.00. The product, bottled at 24% abv, is said to have “woody incense notes” inspired by Winters’ experiences growing up in California in the 1970s.