St. George Baller Single Malt Whiskey
St. George Baller Single Malt Whiskey is a 750mL American single malt bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof), made in Alameda, California from 100% American barley, aged a minimum of four years in used bourbon and French oak wine casks, filtered through maple charcoal, and finished in casks that held the distillery's own umeshu. Master distiller Lance Winters calls it a California take on the Japanese spin on Scotch whisky. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 47% (94 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Grain: 100% American barley — predominantly two-row pale malted barley, the remainder lightly roasted
- Aging: Minimum 4 years in used bourbon casks and French oak wine casks
- Finishing: Maple-charcoal filtration, then a finish in casks that held house-made umeshu (Japanese stone-fruit liqueur, from California-grown ume)
- Origin: Alameda, California (St. George Spirits)
California Barley, Japanese Inspiration, Highball Intentions
Baller launched in 2016 — California-only for its first two years — as St. George's answer to Japanese whisky: the Alameda distillery runs the barley malt through its eau de vie pot stills, rests it in used bourbon and French oak wine casks, filters it through maple charcoal for crispness, and finishes it in casks that held the house's own umeshu. The name is the serving suggestion — it was created for Japanese-style whiskey highballs. Winters even art-directed the label: St. George reimagined as a samurai, defending a barrel from a dragon. Explore the distillery on the St. George vendor page, or browse our American whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
Per the distillery: crisp and dry on the nose with bright fruit and a hint of smoke; the palate brings malt sweetness, maple charcoal, plum, mango, and lychee; the finish is smoky and lingering, building as it goes.
How to Enjoy
As intended: a highball — Baller over ice in a tall glass, topped with soda, nothing else needed. It also pours beautifully neat. More single malts are in our American whiskey collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Baller?
It was created with Japanese-style whiskey highballs in mind — "Baller" is short for the highball it was built to star in.
What is the umeshu finish?
After aging in used bourbon and French oak wine casks and a maple-charcoal filtration, the whiskey finishes in casks that previously held St. George's house-made umeshu, a traditional Japanese stone-fruit liqueur made from California-grown ume.
What proof is St. George Baller?
94 proof (47% ABV) in the 750mL bottling.
A California single malt made for the highball — order St. George Baller online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
