Maker Notes

Sam Brannan was tall, charismatic, and had a talent for evocative and powerful writing, as well as distilling fine brandy. In 1846, Sam took a voyage on the ship “Brooklyn” from New York to San Francisco with a printing press in tow. When he landed in San Francisco, he started the town’s first newspaper, The California Star, which debuted on January 9, 1847. 

In 1848, Sam bolted into the old San Francisco Plaza and was the first to announce the stupendous discovery, “Gold, Gold, Gold, from the American River!”. The whole city followed his lead in the search of gold and his newspaper, The California Star, became known as, “The Voice of the Gold Rush.”

The Calistoga Star brandies are a nod to not only Sam’s first newspaper in San Francisco, The California Star, but also his love for distilling brandy he called “Calistoga Cognac” that critics during the era called “a brandy equal to the finest brandies in France”.

Distillate: Barbera and Ugni Blanc grapes from the Central Valley

Aging: Cellared for a minimum of 10 years and maximum of 20 years in a combination of 40% Column aged in used Bourbon Barrels and 60% Alembic aged in French Oak

Color: Amber

Aroma: Candied citrus, vanilla, nutmeg and stewed cranberries

Palate: Lush mouthfeel with a smooth finish; notes of dried figs, toffee, espresso and charred citrus

Maker Notes

Sam Brannan was tall, charismatic, and had a talent for evocative and powerful writing, as well as distilling fine brandy. In 1846, Sam took a voyage on the ship “Brooklyn” from New York to San Francisco with a printing press in tow. When he landed in San Francisco, he started the town’s first newspaper, The California Star, which debuted on January 9, 1847. 

In 1848, Sam bolted into the old San Francisco Plaza and was the first to announce the stupendous discovery, “Gold, Gold, Gold, from the American River!”. The whole city followed his lead in the search of gold and his newspaper, The California Star, became known as, “The Voice of the Gold Rush.” 

The Calistoga Star brandies are a nod to not only Sam’s first newspaper in San Francisco, The California Star, but also his love for distilling brandy he called “Calistoga Cognac” that critics during the era called “a brandy equal to the finest brandies in France”.

Distillate: Chardonnay, French Colombard, Grenache, Muscat and Symphony grapes from the Central Valle

Aging: Cellared for a minimum of 7 years and up to 15 years in a combination of 60% Column aged in used Bourbon barrels and 40% Alembic aged in French Oak

Color: Amber

Aroma: Toasted oak, orange zest, clove, cinnamon

Palate: Rich palate with a warming sensation from the alcohol; notes of caramel, plum, walnut and oak