The Calistoga Star XO 10 Years Old Californian Brandy RNDC

41.5% ABV, 750 ml, aged 10 years

“This brandy shows ripe stone fruit of yellow peach and red plum with milk caramel and loads of cask spices like allspice and pink peppercorn. Rich and velvety, there are more caramel notes like pecan pie and flan, with vanilla, clove, and nutmeg.” 96 Points, 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge

In 1848, Sam bolted into the old San Francisco Plaza and was the first to announce the stupendous discovery, “Gold! Gold! Gold From the American River!” His newspaper, The California Star, became known as, “The Voice of the Gold Rush.” The Calistoga Star brandies are a nod Sam’s newspaper his love for distilling brandy which he called “Calistoga Cognac.” Critics during the era called the spirit “a brandy equal to the finest brandies in France.”

This XO brandy features Barbera and Ugni Blanc grapes from California’s Central Valley and masterfully crafted using a variety of distillation methods. Cellared for a minimum of 10 years and maximum of 20 years in a combination of 40% Column aged in used charred American white oak and 60% Alembic aged in French Oak wine casks. This meticulous blending process bestows upon our brandy a rich tapestry of oak-derived spices, that marries complexity with fruit-forward elegance.

Amber in the glass. Aromas of candied citrus, vanilla, nutmeg, and stewed cranberries. On the palate, a lush mouthfeel with a smooth finish; notes of dried figs, toffee, espresso, and charred citrus.

DISTILLATE: Barbera and Ugni Blanc grapes from the Central Valley

AGING: Cellared for a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years in a combination of 40% Column aged in used Bourbon barrels and 60% Alembic aged in French Oak

COLOR: Amber

AROMA: Candied citrus, vanilla, nutmeg, and stewed cranberries

PALATE: Lush mouthfeel with a smooth finish; notes of dried figs, toffee, espresso, and charred citrus