Savage & Cooke Lip Service is a straight rye whiskey aged at least three years in new charred American oak and finished in French Grenache wine barrels by winemaker Dave Phinney, bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV).
Savage & Cooke is the whiskey project of Dave Phinney, a winemaker known for creating The Prisoner, the celebrated Napa Valley red blend. On Mare Island in California, he and his team distill, age and finish whiskey, and every Savage & Cooke whiskey is finished in a wine barrel.
For Lip Service, the rye rests a minimum of three years in new charred American oak barrels and is then uniquely finished in wine barrels from Dave's Grenache project in Maury, in the south of France. The wine barrel tempers the rustic character young rye can show, adding a distinct sweetness and complexity to the classic spice. It won a Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Light caramel in color, it is intense and exciting on the nose, with orange peel, clove and candied ginger. The palate is creamy and velvety with bright white pepper, berry compote and honey, and the finish is persistent, with layers of exotic spice and toasty vanilla.
The opaque black bottle with its avant-garde black-and-white photography makes it one of the most display-worthy ryes on any shelf. Sip it neat or stir it into a Manhattan or a Boulevardier.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Orange peel, clove, candied ginger.
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Palate: Creamy; white pepper, berry compote, honey.
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Finish: Exotic spice, toasty vanilla.
Specifications
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Producer: Savage & Cooke, Mare Island, California
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Winemaker: Dave Phinney
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Aging: 3+ years new charred American oak
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Finish: Grenache wine barrels from Maury, France
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Proof / ABV: 90 proof (45% ABV)
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat, or stir a Manhattan or a Boulevardier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes it?
Savage & Cooke, founded by winemaker Dave Phinney.
How is it finished?
In Grenache wine barrels from Maury, France.
What does it taste like?
Orange peel, clove, candied ginger, berry and honey.
Explore more in our Rye collection.
