The First Whiskey History Distilled from Bottle-Ready Beer
(St.
Helena, CA) June 17, 2008 - It was an inspired moment
in 1999 when 12th & 13th Generation Distillers Miles &
Marko Karakasevic tasted a micro-brewed Pilsner and envisioned
the whiskey it could become.
They
decided to distill 20,000 gallons of the Pilsner in their classical
Alambic Pot Still - enough to create just 22 barrels of whiskey.
Little did they know that they were making distilling history
by doing so.
Technically,
all whiskey is distilled beer - proprietary combinations of
fermented grains referred to by various names such as "distiller's
beer," "low-wash," and "wort." Using
a finished, great-drinking beer is a first.
"There
is no other whiskey out that you can really taste the beer that
it's made from," said Marko Karakasevic. "Our goal
was to balance the spice from the hops and the barley flavors
with just the right amount of oak."
"Holy
wow," said Stephen Schuler, buyer at Morrell Wines &
Spirits in New York City. "This seriously might be one
of the best made American Whiskies I have ever laid my lips
on, and just ask my liver, I have had quite a few." The
whiskey is being released as a collector's series. Release I,
which debuted at just 3 years old, is sold out.
Release
II, which debuts this month, is 9 years old. It is available
at select fine spirits stores across the U.S. by allocation.
Suggested retail is $325/750ml. For assistance with finding
a store, contact Charbay at (800) M-DISTILL (634-7845).
The
whiskey's Pilsner lager base was made from two-row malted barley,
grown and malted in British Columbia, considered the finest
grain available for its intense flavors. Miles and Marko added
additional hops before double-distilling in their classical
Alambic Charentais Pot Still. The whiskey was aged in new American
oak barrels, charred to #3 - affectionately called "Gator
skin" for its striped appearance. Charbay's distillers
believe in allowing the whiskey to age in various ambient temperatures
for added complexity.
About
Charbay
Charbay is owned and operated by the Karakasevic family. Founder,
12th Generation Winemaker & Master Distiller Miles Karakasevic,
and his son, Marko, produce award-winning small-batch vodkas,
as well as Alambic Pot Still rum, whiskey, Pastis and brandy
in their classical Alambic Charentais Pot Still located in Mendocino
County (an hour north of their winery/distillery in Napa Valley).
The family also produces wines, Aperitifs, liqueurs & ports
made with selections of their 25-year library of brandies. Still
House tours of their Napa Valley facility are available by appointment.
Call (800) M-DISTILL (634-7845).
Charbay
Winery and Distillery
4001 Spring Mtn. Rd.
St. Helena, California 94574
www.charbay.com
