California Gold Bourbon

About

The simple homemade whiskey mix or infinity bottle is familiar to whiskey fans. People believe that if given enough time to consume whiskey, any whiskey user would ultimately want to try mixing their whiskey bottles to produce something unique. Given the increase in whiskey consumption, it is hardly surprising that the idea has gained popularity again in recent years. What's preventing you from mixing whiskies from various nations and distilleries, such as Teeling's Single Malt Irish Whiskey and Woodford Reserve Bourbon, in an empty bottle? It is just one illustration of the attractiveness of crafting blends of whiskies. Absolutely nothing! Unfortunately, this combination often produces more misses than hits. There's nothing more humbling than attempting blending for yourself since it is an art. But what if your home-brewed concoction turned out to be exceptional? Then what?

According to a 2017 article on the website of the online magazine PUNCH, a handcrafted mix known as "California Gold" was the "hottest bottle of bourbon at the moment." This blend was created by a guy who went by the alias Danny Strongwater, and it has since come to be regarded as a personal unicorn by many bourbon fans drawn to the mix's enigma and the positive internet reviews about it. Of course, this mix is available for purchase (if you know the proper people). Like with previous home-brewed blends like Poor Man's Pappy, buyers are taking a risk in the hopes that they will be rewarded. According to the information that has come to light from the story, it is a combination of bourbons currently on the market, is created in small quantities of just a few bottles at a time, and is more difficult to get than a ghost's fart. After some research, we discovered that Stagg Jr. from Buffalo Trace is the foundation bourbon, It is much like knowing the fact that salt is one among the 11 herbs and spices in KFC's secret formula. According to further research (and badgering), the mix only includes five whiskies, but this needs to be more helpful. You can only decide whether it's worth the hype, and the crisp $100 a 375ml bottle will cost you by drinking some. There were many well-aged Willett ryes and all the major bottles: the whole Van Winkle line, every whiskey in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and the John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve. All eyes were drawn to a squat bottle with a white HP LaserJet label embellished with hazy clipart pictures of stars and arching olive branches and a sticker with "CA Gold." This was what everyone found most amazing, however. California Gold is a top-secret, homemade concoction of whiskeys that has been widely distributed and is very rich and nuanced. It has gained widespread renown.

How did it Succeed in Getting Through?

When two strangers who only know one other online find themselves in each other's cities by chance, it's not unusual for them to get together for a drink in the darkest reaches of whiskey geekdom. Strongwater was friends with a guy from Nashville who had a large whiskey "reading room" in his house that was widely known among internet users. Many Willetts have been opened by that guy, who always offers them for free to out-of-town guests. He has a tremendous collection. To assist him in expanding his collection, Strongwater began shipping him uncommon samples; each package always included a little vial of the first California Gold batches. At last, the Nashville resident requested two full bottles, which he then started distributing to his visitors. The information circulated quickly online.

As a result, Strongwater says it gained widespread recognition in the neighborhood. "And everyone enjoys sharing.

Everyone who experienced California Gold quickly wanted to buy a bottle for themselves. Strongwater is a welcoming person who will always make room for a few odd strangers as long as they can prove they want to consume California Gold, not sell it. (Strongwater refused to provide specifics on the transfer of the bottles.)

Strongwater, who is knowledgeable about other whiskeys available on the market, doesn't even believe it's a "fair fight" to compare his California Gold to the big dogs in tastings for one crucial reason: California Gold is a whiskey that now has the complexity of a distilled cocktail—one that is even bottled at barrel proof (California Gold has tested in the 110 to 125 proof range).

Strongwater believes that California Gold demonstrates the need for more collaboration across the major Kentucky distilleries, much like craft brewers. Combining yeast varieties, mash recipes, and the distinctive "funk" of each distillery, or the distinctive, one-of-a-kind notes generated by each distillery's equipment and maturing spaces.

He informs that it is regrettable that different distilleries don't work together. He got this amazing product with heavy barrel char and this wonderful syrupy stuff. They could truly have something spectacular if they did that.

So what precisely is in the combination of California Gold? Strongwater won't say, although he suggested that the base is a barrel-proof Buffalo Trace product with a prominent oak flavor and that the spicy undertones may be from a Four Roses Single Barrel product. He obtains the espresso notes from one product, the caramel taste from another, etc.

His patient spouse, who has the formula recorded someplace, is the only one aware of the precise mixture. Should he pass away, Strongwater has asked her to give it to one of his friends so that they may go on "producing" California Gold. Nevertheless, Strongwater claims that California Gold's days may be limited since one of the ingredients in his mix is no longer easily accessible (he even searched Europe for it).