St. George California Reserve Apple Brandy (2014 Release)

The Container: It evokes an apothecary feel. The bottle resembles one used for storing elixirs... The label is characteristic of the distillery, sophisticated and classic. It provides ample details about the product and its origin, presented in a style reminiscent of the Victorian era. It's certainly an attractive vessel. In the Glass: As expected, it looks like apple juice. On the Nose: It genuinely smells like an orchard. Apples are prominent, with underlying hints of oak and leaves. It's lighter than a heavy pot-still brandy from the old country. Taste: Strong apple flavor upon first taste, but not sweet at all. There's a youthful quality that gives the spirit a lot of vibrancy. It's oak-aged, but doesn't seem like it was for an extended period given its overall character. There's a slight alcohol burn on the finish accompanied by a spice note that tastes almost like black pepper (quite pleasing!). After a few minutes, the finish evolves into something like 'apple pie without the cinnamon'. It serves as a decent drink on its own, though it might be more suitable for mixing in a cocktail. An emerging American Calvados, if I ever encountered one. If apple brandy is something you enjoy, you would be remiss not to try this if you find it.