California Gold Bourbon Review

This California Gold Bourbon sample was acquired in a sample trade with some other CoCal locals. The exact make-up of this whiskey isn’t known, but what I do know is that this is from an “Early Release” created in 2015/2016 (per the label) and was constructed entirely from easy-to-find / off-the-shelf bourbons. Other than that it’s made by a dude in San Diego… and that’s about it.

California Gold It has quite the reputation in tasting circles and gained a reputation for beating out a lot of expensive bourbons in blind tastings. This is far from my first taste of it, and I’ve been part of blind tastings where it’s performed well, but now I’m getting the chance to sit down and give it a full review. How will it do on its own in a controlled environment, aka my apartment? Let’s see.

California Gold Bourbon Review: Details and Tasting Notes

California Gold Bourbon is a whiskey made in San Diego by a mysterious person

In The Mystery Blender’s Words: California Gold Bourbon

… What did you expect here? It’s a mystery!

California Gold Bourbon price, ABV, age and other details

Region: USA

Distiller: Various
Mash Bill: Various (but all at least 51% corn)
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS
ABV: ???

Price: NA – Private Creation

California Gold Bourbon Tasting Notes

EYE
Caramel

NOSE
Tannic oak, cinnamon, dark fruit, dark sweets, honey, menthol and roasted nuts.

PALATE
Tannic oak, cinnamon, candied oranges, honey, complex dark sweets, nuts and a touch of herbal lemon… thyme-like, but sweet.

FINISH
Long -> Tannic oak, lemon candy, herbal and brown sugar.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, full body and warm spicy feel.

California Gold Bourbon Review: OVERALL

The aroma is a dollop of tannic oak bolstered with dark sweets and dark fruits. The Palate is also a dollop of tannic oak but paired against sweet citrus, spice and dark sweets. The finish is my least favorite part of this bourbon blend as it starts nice but trails to a cloying lemon candy… and it’s still something I’d be happy to drink any day.

I love blending whiskeys, I do it all the time at home. I have several infinity bottles and twice as many blending experiments always running and I have plans for some larger scale ones. It’s always amazing to see what you can make and that to me is the beauty of the California Gold Bourbon. Tasting the result of one man’s obsession to create something unique from the shelf in front of him. Whoever you are, I salute you.

SCORE: 89/100 (B+)