Argonaut Fat Thumb is a premium California brandy blended from scarce alembic pot-still stocks, bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV).
During the California Gold Rush, gold dust served as currency: a miner would open his purse and let a merchant or barkeep take a pinch as payment, and prosperous merchants were said to have fat thumbs for taking generous pinches. In blending Fat Thumb, Argonaut's Master Distiller showed a fat thumb of her own when pulling from the brand's alembic brandy stocks, showcasing some of its more scarce blending legs. More than half the blend is pot-still brandy, the varietal blends are listed transparently on the back label, and no color or sugar is added.
It offers baked apple cobbler, caramelized and overripe pear, red apple, toasted oak and coconut, vanilla, nutmeg and clove, with traces of caramelized banana and a rich, silky mouthfeel.
The engraved Gold Rush label makes it a great gift for brandy lovers.
American brandy has a long history in California, home to the state's vineyards.
Pot-still brandies are richer and more aromatic than column-still spirits.
Serve it neat in a snifter to gather the aroma.
A splash of water opens up the fruit.
It makes a superb Sidecar with Cointreau and lemon.
Try it in a Brandy Old Fashioned, Wisconsin style.
Pair a pour with a cheese plate or apple tart.
It is a great gift for whiskey drinkers curious about brandy.
Its engraved label celebrates California history.
It also shines in a Vieux Carré.
Tasting Notes
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Fruit: Baked apple, pear, banana.
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Oak: Toasted oak, coconut, vanilla.
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Spice: Nutmeg and clove, silky.
Specifications
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Brand: Argonaut
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Style: California brandy, pot still blend
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Blend: Majority alembic pot-still brandy
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Additives: No added color or sugar
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Proof / ABV: 86 proof (43% ABV)
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Region: California, USA
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat in a snifter, or mix a Sidecar, Brandy Old Fashioned or Vieux Carré. It pairs with apple pie, roasted nuts or crème brûlée.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the name come from?
Gold Rush merchants who took generous pinches of gold dust.
How is it made?
Blended mostly from alembic pot-still brandies.
How does it taste?
Baked apple, pear, vanilla and warm spice.
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