Maker Notes

Handcrafted American Vodka
Clear Vodka is pure, smooth, crisp, like a premium vodka should be.

> Made from 100% pure grain (mix of corn & rye) direct from Midwest farmers
> Using fantastic northern California water
> For purity, we don’t use charcoal, diamond dust or filter agents

What to expect? A plump grain body with a wonderful smooth finish. Great at room temperature, amazing cold!

Tasting Profile

Our fourth release in the collection, Charbay's R5 Lot No. 4 is double-distilled from Bear Republic Brewery's award-winning Racer 5 IPA beer (7% ABV). Marko chose this full-bodied IPA for its aromatic hops and smooth, clean finish, forming the base of R5's unique profile.

Its fourth release, Lot No. 4 was a 10 barrel release, distilled in March 2013 and aged for 29 months in French oak. It has an intensely hoppy nose mixed with orange and clove, and sweet molasses, smoky notes on the palate.

4 STARS / Highly Recommended - Spirit Journal

"Charbay is one of my favorite distilleries in America, and this whiskey is an education in a bottle". - Michael J. Neff, bar director, Holiday Cocktail Lounge, NYC

Each winter, Marko Karakasevic, master distiller at Charbay Distillery, travels to Central California and selects organically grown, tree-ripened blood oranges at their peak maturity. The oranges are delivered to his distillery in St. Helena, California within three days and crushed skins and all by Marko (a 13th generation master distiller!) and his team. Blood oranges' distinctive crimson pigment is a result of high levels of anthocyanins, an antioxidant thought to protect against ailments such as cancer, inflammation and diabetes. Grown in cool climates, blood oranges are more intense than ordinary oranges and have unique, raspberry-like flavors in addition to typical citrus notes. Using a secret process that takes nearly six months, Marko and his team extract the flavor, color and antioxidants from the blood oranges. The fruit extract is then blended with Charbay's award-winning Clear Vodka. Charbay Clear Vodka, which has been rated the best vodka in the world twice by the Spirit Journal, is distilled from 100% American Midwest corn and rye. Distilled in a double copper alembic charentais pot to 192 proof, Clear Vodka is gently, gently filtered and bottled by hand. Charbay Blood Orange Vodka is free from essences, perfumes, dyes, fragrances and so-called "natural flavors"- it is made from 100% organically-grown, real fruit. When asked how he makes Charbay Blood Orange Vodka, Marko replied, "with the best fruit possible." Try some of the best vodka today!

In February 2011, Marko became intrigued by Bear Republic's Big Bear Stout.

"Single malts only use a single malt—this Stout has over five different malts, as well as adjuncts and several different hop varieties. All of these qualities come through into an extremely complex whiskey," explains Marko.

With a backbone of Stout, double distilled then aged for 29 months in French oak, Marko expertly entices aromas of dried apricot & honeysuckle, a rich palate of roasted coffee, chocolate malt freshened with orange zest, and a perfect finish of brown spice, dark malt and lingering traces of dry oak.

"Mind-boggingly good". - Clay Risen, New York Times

90 Points - "Deliciously layered palate...no hint of the 49.5% ABV heat. A finish that's sweet, light and quite refreshing and inviting. Lives up to the Charbay hype". - Whisky Advocate