American-made. Japanese whiskey-inspired. Wholly original. St. George Baller American Single Malt is unlike any whiskey you have ever tasted. With its crisp malt, delicate maple charcoal smoke, and tropical, sherry-like notes imparted by house-made umeshu finishing casks, Baller is a category of one.
Format: 750ml
ABV: 47%
Availability: Widely available
Blending multiple distilling traditions, multiple roast levels of barley, and multiple casks for aging and finishing, Baller is an incomparable whiskey. Spirits are our form of self-expression, and Baller epitomizes our passion for redefining spirits categories in ways that are both meaningful and unique.
We start with 100% American malted barley (two-row pale and Munich malt) that is pot distilled, then aged in American and French oak casks that previously held other whiskies. After aging, we filter the whiskey through maple charcoal, lending subtle smoke, then finish it in umeshu casks to create a flavor unlike any other. What is umeshu? It’s an incredibly aromatic liqueur made from small, tart, stone fruit called ume. While umeshu is native to Japan, we make the umeshu for our casks in-house, with California-grown fruit.
Why is an American distiller (who already makes a renowned single malt) doing a take on Japanese whiskey? Originally it was for our friends at Ramen Shop, an Oakland restaurant that inspires us with their California spin on venerable Japanese culinary traditions. But the response to Baller was so overwhelming, we increased production so we can share this singular whiskey with aficionados everywhere.
Master distiller Lance Winters did the art direction for the label, which re-imagines the legend of St. George as a samurai defending a barrel of whiskey against a dragon.
Baller is crisp and dry on the nose with bright fruit and a hint of smoke. Tasting opens with a touch of malt sweetness and maple charcoal, then explodes into a burst of plum, mango and lychee with notes of almond and eucalyptus underneath. The smoky finish lingers and builds with each sip.
With its endless layers of flavor, Baller is perfect for sipping neat. The Shop Highball is what we order when we visit our friends at Ramen Shop. Baller’s unique aromatics add freshness and nuance to a Boulevardier. We also love it as a substitute for peated scotch in cocktails like the Penicillin.
