A craft bourbon made in California, through contract distillation, and finished in toasted French Oak; Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey is the latest thing to show up on the California craft whiskey scene. Made by the same folks who make Riptide Rye Whiskey, it’s an interesting direction for a small craft company to go.
Typically you see craft distilleries starting with a standard bourbon and rye, or more often a gin, “moonshine” or vodka but Cali is hitting the ground running with a finished bourbon. Something that isn’t typically the first stop for companies but a third or fourth. As I said, it’s an interesting direction, let’s see how it goes.
Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Cali Distillery’s Words: Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey
DoubleWood is our high rye bourbon shaped by exposure to two very different varieties of oak. CALI Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey starts out in charred new American Oak barrels, and finishes with toasted French Oak.
Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey price, ABV, age and other details
Region: California, USA
Distiller: Cali Distillery
Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 23% Rye, 7% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak & Toasted French Oak
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
Price: $33*
Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey Tasting Notes
EYE
Light copper
NOSE
Young oak, apples, peanuts, spice and light notes of citrus, vanilla and cotton candy.
PALATE
Caramel, young oak, apples, spice and light notes of vegetable oil and nuts.
FINISH
Med-short -> Caramel, orchard fruit, spice, vanilla and cocoa.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not balanced, medium body and a light feel.
Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskeyw Review: OVERALL
The longer it sits the more it becomes “crafty”. The aroma gets more of that young oak smell of raw wood bolstered by the light sweet notes of vanilla and cotton candy. The palate takes on more of a sawdust character, but with a good layer of spice and fruit to keep it from being one noted. The finish is my favorite part.
I see what they’re trying to do with the Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey, and this is the first run at a goal that is more than admirable. They’re trying to do something different and unique in a way that’s honest and approachable. But craft bourbon is tough and that young raw wood flavor never sits well with me, but thankfully that’s easy to fix. A bit more age to take the edge off and it’ll be something I could enjoy sipping on a warm Cali evening. Not there yet, but headed in the right direction.
SCORE: 75/100 (C)
*Disclosure: This was Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey sample was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey Review
- Nose - 75
- Palate - 75
- Finish - 75
- Balance, Body & Feel - 75
Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey Review Summary
Cali Mavericks DoubleWood Whiskey is unique, I’ll give them that. It just needs a bit more age to get rid of the “young craft” profile and it should end up being a good whiskey.
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