St. George Spirits 40th Anniversary Edition is a one-time-only American single malt released in late 2022 to celebrate four decades of the pioneering California distillery. Head distiller Dave Smith sampled more than 600 casks, chose 30 for the initial cut, and used just 14 in the final blend. It is bottled at 48% ABV and limited to 1,982 bottles, honouring the year St. George was founded.
St. George was one of the first craft distilleries in the United States, and it has been making single malt whiskey for decades. The casks in this blend range from around four to thirteen years old and include some of the distillery's earliest barrels, so the release is a tour through its whiskey-making history. One portion was finished in an umeshu cask, the Japanese plum liqueur, which Smith chose to complement the stone fruit character of St. George's single malt.
The result is wonderfully layered. The nose opens with cola, dark chocolate and lager, with brown butter, salted caramel and sandalwood emerging over time. The palate moves from walnut fudge and latte to amber malt and buttered waffle, then cinnamon, clove and candied ginger, before stone fruit and tropical notes arrive. The finish brings soft smoke and a hint of barbecue char.
Presented in a grey display box with St. George's ornate artwork and a window framing the bottle, it is a collector's piece and a landmark release in American single malt.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Cola, dark chocolate and lager, then brown butter, salted caramel and sandalwood.
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Palate: Walnut fudge, latte, amber malt and buttered waffle, then cinnamon, clove, candied ginger, stone fruit and tropical notes.
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Finish: Soft smoke with a hint of barbecue char.
Specifications
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Producer: St. George Spirits
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Style: American Single Malt Whiskey
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Expression / Batch: 40th Anniversary Edition, bottled 2022, 1,982 bottles
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Age: Blend of casks aged about 4 to 13 years
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Proof / ABV: 96 proof (48% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: 14 casks, including an umeshu cask
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Region: Alameda, California, United States
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat in a nosing glass and give it time; the aromas change a great deal as it opens. A few drops of water bring out the stone fruit. It pairs with dark chocolate, smoked meats or plum desserts, and makes a superb gift for a collector of American single malt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many casks were used in the St. George 40th Anniversary Edition?
Just 14, chosen from more than 600 casks sampled by head distiller Dave Smith.
How many bottles were made?
1,982 bottles, honouring the year St. George was founded.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at 48% ABV, or 96 proof.
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