From The Makers

THE SPIRIT
‘A California take on the Japanese spin on Scotch whisky.’ So says master distiller Lance Winters of this unique and inspired spirit, which was created with Japanese-style whiskey highballs in mind (hence the name Baller).

THE PROCESS
We start with 100% American barley (predominately two-row pale malted barley, the remainder is lightly roasted).
After distillation in our eau de vie pot stills, the whiskey is aged in used bourbon casks and French oak wine casks, as well as filtered through maple charcoal.
We then finish the whiskey in casks that had held house-made umeshu (a Japanese style of plum liqueur we made entirely from California-grown ume fruit).

THE EXPERIENCE
Crisp and dry, with a touch of malt sweetness and a hint of lychee fruit and nutty almond character. The smoky finish lingers and builds with each sip.
In addition to using in Japanese-style whiskey highballs, we also recommend Baller in a “Ballervardier,” or in place of Scotch whisky in a Bobby Burns or Rob Roy.

ABOUT THE LABEL
Distiller Lance Winters did the art direction for the label, which re-imagines the legend of St. George as a samurai. The original watercolor on the front label was by Oakland artist Sylvia Solochek Walters, done to emulate woodcut. The calligraphy was done by Eri Takase of Takase Studios.