Charbay Release III Hop Flavored Whiskey

Charbay Release III Hop Flavored Whiskey

"Basically, we're an art endeavor expressed in alcohols and flavors," says Miles Karakasevic, Chabay Distillery's founder and master distiller. Thirty years ago, Karakasevic a 12th generation Master Distiller emigrated to California and became a pioneer in the American craft spirits movement by opening the doors to one of the first craft distilleries in the United States. Three decades later, Karakasevic continues to release some of the most unique and interesting spirits in the world. Charbay Release III Hop Flavored Whiskey is the third release in Charbay's Lifetime Collector Series. The whiskey was crafted from European two-row barley, which was grown and malted in British Columbia (the barley used has more concentrated flavors than mainstream 6-row barley). After the barley was malted, it was brewed into a pilsner. Following the brewing process, Karakasevic distilled 20,000 gallons of the pilsner into 1,000 gallons of whiskey through his classic, alambic charentais pot-still (one of only five in the United States). The distillation process alone took 3.5 weeks. Then, the whiskey was aged for six years in new, American oak casks with a #3 char. Typically, the degree of charring within a cask is measured on a scale of one to four, with a #1 char referring to casks that have been slightly toasted, and a #4 char referring to casks that have been charred so heavily that the interior resembles an alligator hide (the latter are nicknamed alligator-charred casks). The #3 char used to mature Release III contributed notes of honeyed oak, cloves, cinnamon and warming spices to the whiskey. Following its initial beauty rest, the whiskey was double-barreled, or finished, in stainless steel casks for an additional 8 years. This additional maturation rounded out the flavors of oak and honey, and contributed a slightly mineral mouthfeel to the whiskey. After this finishing process, Charbay Release III was bottled at barrel proof (133 proof) without filtration. The whiskey has notes of caramel and vanilla, along with hints of maple syrup, cinnamon, leather and tobacco. The finish is full and lush, and lingers just enough. Only 2,700 bottles of this limited-edition whiskey will ever be made. Pick one up today!