St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy
St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy is a 43% ABV (86 proof), 750mL limited-release apple brandy from St. George Spirits in Alameda, California — cold-fermented fresh-pressed cider, pot-distilled with more fresh apples, and aged in American and French oak. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Fruit: Field blend of California apples — Fall Pippin, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Black Arkansas, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Gravenstein, McIntosh, Sierra Beauty, Swaar and Winter Banana
- Production: Cold-fermented cider, distilled with fresh apples in pot stills
- Maturation: American and French oak casks, including barrels previously used for cider, whiskey and wine
- Origin: Alameda, California (distillery founded 1982)
Warm Apple Pie, From a Pioneer of American Fruit Brandy
St. George has been making fruit brandies since it was founded in 1982, and the California Reserve is its love letter to the apple: a field blend from a local family-owned farm (the distributor's sell sheet places it in Mendocino County), pressed, cold-fermented and distilled with fresh fruit in the pot, then rested in a mix of American and French oak before blending. It is released only occasionally, and in limited quantities. Browse the St. George collection and more spirits at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Think of warm apple pie right out of the oven. The nose is dry cider, lemon meringue, crisp green apple and baking spices; the palate brings apple pie and clover honey, finishing with sage, clove and jasmine tea.
How to Enjoy
Sipped neat, in a Sidecar or a Jack Rose, or lengthened with tonic — the distillery's own recommended serves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What apples are used in St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy? A field blend of eleven varieties, including Gravenstein, McIntosh, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Winter Banana, from a family-owned California farm.
How is it made? Fresh-pressed apple cider is cold-fermented and distilled with more fresh apples in pot stills, then aged in American and French oak casks before blending.
Is it like Calvados? It is the California counterpart — an oak-aged apple brandy in the same spirit family, made from American apples by one of the pioneers of US craft distilling.
What is the ABV and size? 43% ABV (86 proof), 750mL.
An infrequent release from Alameda's fruit-brandy pioneers — get St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy online through Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA, while this bottling lasts.