Gryphon & Grain California Bourbon

Distillery: Copper Cane Spirits

Age: 5 Years

Proof: 96

Verdict: This is not just a good product from a craft distillery. It’s a good product... period.

Score: 7.50

Gryphon & Grain California Bourbon Whiskey is a craft product out of Napa County, California.  The Copper Cane cofounders have (literally) dug into their roots and utilize exclusively estate grown mash ingredients from surrounding northern California.  They also age and bottle locally. After 5 years, the result is not only something that can stand alongside traditional southern bourbons, but surpasses quite a few. 

Diving in, the immediate aromas are of cherry alongside caramel and some other lingering fruitiness.  The mouthfeel is thick and coating, which is probably the best surprise.  The palate gets more cherry flavor, strawberry, some caramel, and vanilla, with nuttiness on the finish.  It’s wheated and leans toward sweet but is overall a nicely balanced and full-bodied pour.   

This one was recommended to me by a friend of mine and I’m glad it was.  So far I’ve not tasted many bourbons from craft distillers, and definitely fewer from California, but Copper Cane Spirits has now set a very high bar in my mind.  I’ll definitely be checking out their other releases – including a rye that is on shelves now.  In terms of tracking down bottles, their website includes a locater.  Additionally, this is a shipped option:

It probably goes without saying, but I wasn’t paid for this 😂. It’s on THE LIST.  Until next time.

Grizz