St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy 750mL

St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy is an exquisite homage to the bounty of California's apple orchards, offering a superior experience that transcends the traditional realms of apple brandy. For aficionados of Calvados and apple brandy alike, this spirit represents an opportunity to elevate your appreciation to new heights, courtesy of St. George's meticulous craftsmanship and deep respect for the fruit's inherent beauty.

Crafted from a diverse field blend of apples sourced from a dedicated family-owned farm in Mendocino County, this apple brandy includes varieties such as Fall Pippin, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Black Arkansas, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Gravenstein, McIntosh, Sierra Beauty, Swaar, and Winter Banana. Each variety contributes its unique characteristics, resulting in a complex, multi-layered flavor profile that captures the essence of Californian apples in every drop.

The production process begins with cold-fermenting apple cider, followed by distillation with more fresh apples in St. George's pot stills. The brandy then embarks on a journey of maturation in an array of casks, aging for periods ranging from 3 to 11 years, with a significant portion of the blend originating from barrels laid down between 2014 and 2016. This meticulous aging process, utilizing both new and used French and American oak barrels, imbues the brandy with an extraordinary depth of flavor and character.

For the 2023 release, St. George has skillfully blended in some of their apple brandy reserves from the 2020 release, incorporating a thoughtful short-term finishing in casks prior to bottling. This nuanced approach to blending and aging ensures that each bottle of St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy is a testament to the distillery's commitment to excellence and innovation.

The experience of enjoying St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy is akin to savoring a warm apple pie fresh from the oven. The nose is greeted with aromas of crisp cider, pastry crust, lemon, allspice, and crème brûlée, setting the stage for a palate of buttery apple pie and clover honey, finishing with refreshing notes of mint and clove. This brandy is not merely a drink but a rich textural experience that encapsulates the comfort and joy of apple pie in a glass.

Whether enjoyed neat, as part of a sophisticated cocktail, or alongside a dessert, St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy is a celebration of California's apple heritage, inviting connoisseurs and casual sippers alike to explore the depth and delight of expertly crafted apple brandy.