7 Whiskeys That Capture California's Wine Country

These days, famed California counties Napa and Sonoma aren't just for wine—they're brimming with fantastic whiskeys, too. When heading north of San Francisco, it's well worth your time to visit a distillery, especially if it grants you the opportunity to taste any one of the whiskeys listed below.

Explore California Wine Country Through These Whiskeys

Sonoma Distilling Co. Cherrywood Rye92 points, 47.8%, $50A rich, lively palate loaded with red fruit, cinnamon spice, melted brown sugar, chocolate, and white pepper.
Savage & Cooke Second Glance American91 points, 44%, $40Finished in wine barrels from winemaker (and distillery owner) Dave Phinney, this offers clove-studded orange, rye spice, and lemon.
Redwood Empire Lost Monarch Blend of Straights90 points, 45%, $43Orange blossom, iced tea, dark berries, and leather on the nose, followed by fruit and spice on the palate—orange, cherry, cedar, and cinnamon.Alley 6 Rye
89 points, 43%, $50Spice, fresh rye grain, fresh red apple, raspberry jam, dark chocolate, white pepper; generous spice but no burn.
Charbay R5 Hop Flavored (Lot No. 5)88 points, 49.5%, $60Distilled from Racer 5 IPA; citrusy at first, but gives way to sugary oak, maple syrup, burnt brown sugar, and roasted malt.
Spirit Works Distillery Rye88 points, 45%, $50Sweet orange slices, red fruits, vanilla maltiness, melted caramel, grain, root beer, and marzipan. A great balance of fruit and spice.
Prohibition Spirits Hooker's House Bourbon86 points, 50%, $49Finished in pinot noir barrels; new leather, aromatic oak, red berries, and pepper.