Mendocino Spirits Straight Bourbon Mendocino County 750ml

Mendocino Spirits Straight Bourbon is a small-batch California whiskey crafted at Tamar Distillery in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County. Founded by distiller Crispin Cain, who trained under legendary Cognac distiller Hubert Germain-Robin, the distillery produces bourbon using a distinctly artisan approach rooted in winemaking and Cognac traditions.

The bourbon is made from an all-malted grain bill of 65% corn, 20% malted barley, and 15% malted rye — an uncommon technique that sets it apart from conventional bourbon production. Fermentation follows a winemaking philosophy, running 2.5 to 6 weeks (versus the typical 3–4 days), allowing full conversion of starches and sugars. The wash is then double-distilled in antique Charentais alembic copper pot stills, the same style used to produce Germain-Robin brandies. The spirit is aged a minimum of 3 years in new charred oak barrels, reaching bottling strength at 42.2% ABV (84.4 proof).

On the nose, the bourbon opens with butterscotch, marzipan, candied pecans, and dried apple. The palate delivers sweet cream butter, cocoa, rose, and cloves, while the finish is smooth and lingering with vanilla, toffee, and toasted grain notes. It has won the Fifty Best Bourbon competition's top spot two years in a row and earned recognition from Rolling Stone, Men's Journal, and US Weekly.