Press Room

Calistoga Depot Distillery Reviews

Score: Silver | April 25, 2024 | San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Score: 96 | March 1, 2024 |

In partnership with master distiller Ashby Marshall of SpiritWorks Distilling, this blend of 65% organic rye and 35% malted grains aged for seven years in new charred American white oak, then finished for seven months in Buena Vista Cream Sherry casks. Creamy, caramel-rich, and lush on the palate, it exudes marzipan and blackberry pie. 93 proof. - Virginie Boone

Score: 98 | March 1, 2024 | The Tasting Panel

Produced in partnership with master distiller Ashby Marshall of SpiritWorks Distilling, this expression is made from 65% organic rye and 35% malted grains and aged for seven years in new charred American white oak casks; it has characteristics of black pepper, clove, and toasted oak and a lingering layer of cardamom and baking spice. 121 proof. - Virginie Boone

Score: 95 | March 1, 2024 | The Tasting Panel

Made in partnership with master distiller Ashby Marshall of SpiritWorks Distilling, this contains 65% organic rye and 35% malted grains and aged for seven years in new charred American white oak before finishing for seven months in French oak casks previously used for Angelica, a dessert wine made specifically for Buena Vista Winery. It tastes of marmalade on toast. 90 proof. - Virginie Boone

Score: 94 | March 1, 2024 | The Tasting Panel

 In partnership with master distiller Ashby Marshall of SpiritWorks Distilling, this combination of 65% organic rye and 35% malted grains aged for seven years in new charred American white oak and finished for seven months in Buena Vista Port casks. The Port influence is strong, lending flavors of dark coffee, dark chocolate, baking spice, and fruitcake. 96 proof. - Virginie Boone

Score: 95 | March 1, 2024 | The Tasting Panel

Made from a distillate of Barbera and Ugni Blanc grapes, this is a combination of 40% column-distilled brandy aged in used, charred American white oak and 60% alembic-distilled brandy aged in French oak wine casks that’s cellared for a minimum of ten and up to 20 years. Opening with vanilla, nutmeg, and citrus, it is lush and luxurious on the palate, flecked with dark coffee, nutmeg, and baked fig. 83 proof. - Virginie Boone

Score: Double Gold | December 5, 2023 | The Fifty Best Bourbon Whiskey

Nose: Caramel, treacle, cream, chocolate, mocha, toasted sugars, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, honey, prunes, pineapple, citrus, ripe plantain, marzipan, almonds, hay, tobacco, leather, oak, cedar, light sherry, port.
Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, molasses,muscovado, mocha, cream, vanilla, honey, pineapple, apricot, apple, lemon balm, licorice, mint, tea leaves, peppers, white pepper, nutmeg, cloves, tobacco, earthy, toasty, oak, creamy mouthfeel.
Finish: Caramel, butterscotch, cream, vanilla, cream pie, honey, pineapple, almond, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, spicy, mild peppery bite, sweet oak, smooth, pleasant, easy drinking, lovely.
 

Score: Double Gold | September 11, 2023 | Fifty Best Domestic Vodka

Nose: Vanilla, cocoa, sweet corn, grain, pastry dough, bread, agave notes, cactus, light lemon, coffee, coffee grinds, earthy, mineral, wet stone, slight funk.
Palate: Vanilla, cocoa, cocoa nibs, powdered sugar, sweet pastry, bread, lemon/lime, citrus, mint, peppery, earthy, mineral, creamy mouthfeel, silky.
Finish: Lemony, citrus lingers, a bit of mint, lingering pastry dough, pink peppercorn, pepper, balanced, complex flavors, flavorful, tasty, smooth, clean, rich, fun.