Unlike the rest of the white whiskeys I picked up for the Infinity Barrel Project, the California Clear White Whiskey is aged. True it’s only for 30 days, but it is aged in charred oak and that makes it unique in the category because usually when people do that they call it bourbon – though there are a couple of reasons they might not want, or be able, to use that term.
For starters, they could be reusing the barrels over and over and over which would disqualify it from being called a bourbon – and if they’re not that’s a huge waste of wood. If they are using new oak each time then it could be a marketing nightmare to try and call a clear whiskey a bourbon; no one would believe it.
The filtering process listed below wouldn’t disqualify it, but it’d be a hard story to sell. A clear bourbon? The market might revolt or compare it to Crystal Clear Pepsi, neither option being a desirable outcome. Calling it a white whiskey is definitely the way to go. Now the question is, how does it taste?
California Clear White Whiskey Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In J. Riley Distillery’s Words: California Clear White Whiskey
Double pot distilled from a bourbon mash of non-gmo blue corn & malted barley in the true American tradition of whiskey. This refreshing white whiskey is aged for 30 days & then only the color is carefully filtered out. Leaving behind the singularly American, one of a kind flavors of blue corn, malted barley & charred American white oak.
California Clear White Whiskey price, ABV, age and other details
Region: California, USA
Distiller: J. Riley Distillery
Mash Bill: At least 51% Blue Corn + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 30 Days
ABV: 43%
Price: $30
California Clear White Whiskey Tasting Notes
EYE
Clear
NOSE
Corn, peach gummies, overripe apples and imitation vanilla.
PALATE
Corn cakes, vanilla, fruit and plain popcorn.
FINISH
Short – Vanilla and popcorn.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, thin body and watery feel.
California Clear White Whiskey Review: OVERALL
When I first opened this California Clear White Whiskey the aroma had a solventy / urinal cake aroma to it. Luckily that blew off quickly otherwise we would have had a big F‘ing problem on our hands. I also would have had a big decision to make about including it in the Infinity Barrel project or not – but it did so it went in.
I don’t really have much else to say about this one. It’s a clear whiskey from a bourbon mash using blue corn and it’s not that exciting. It’s grainy and fruity and that’s about it. However, it is at least good enough I’m curious about the aged version, just not enough to buy a bottle. Like the others I’ll just be keeping my eye out for it to show up on a “local whiskey” bar list somewhere here in Los Angeles.
SCORE: 72/100 (C-)
California Clear White Whiskey Review
- Nose - 72
- Palate - 72
- Finish - 72
- Balance, Body & Feel - 72
California Clear White Whiskey Review Summary
California Clear White Whiskey is ok. It’s flat but pleasant.
’’
