Beer Distilled Whiskey
If you’ve never heard of Charbay on the east coast, it’s understandable. They’re a family run winery & distillery based in the Napa Valley, California. The interesting product today is their Whiskey, a craft whiskey made from hand-distilled bottle-ready beer.
Normally referred to as “low wash” or “distiller’s beer,” it’s not something you’d reach for on a hot, sunny day but Marko Karakasevic, who comes from a long line of spirits makers (he’s the 13th generation), is making his mark using the Pot Still method of distilling a Northern California brew (still secret at this release) to make this small batch whiskey.
Taking almost 4 weeks 24 hours a day, checking the still constantly (one of the primary reasons whiskey is now column distilled), and producing a curiously strong hops and barely flavored libation. In 2002, Charbay released the first 2 barrels. Just 3 years old, it was dangerously smooth at cask strength (124.9 proof).
The Whiskey II release, a malty nine-year double copper pot whiskey distilled from pilsner, hits the shelves next week (at $350 per bottle), along with the crystal clear Doubled and Twisted, possibly the world’s lightest whiskey, made with India Pale Ale and only barrel-aged for a day—it’s got the proof of moonshine with a smooth beer profile.
Pick up a bottle at Astor Wines & Spirits 399 Lafayette St at East 4th St – (212) 674-7500 – Charbay Winery & Micro-Distillery