Low Gap "Distilled in 2021" California Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Tamar Distillery, Mendocino
Low Gap is one of the most genuinely unusual bourbons produced in America — and this "Distilled in 2021" release makes that story concrete. Rather than hiding behind a no-age-statement label, it declares its vintage openly, offering transparency that most craft producers still shy away from. That honesty reflects the producer's entire philosophy: make spirit clean and honest enough to stand on its own terms.
What makes Low Gap structurally different from virtually every other bourbon on the market is the still. Distiller Crispin Cain produces on a hand-operated antique cognac pot still — a 16HL Charentais-style copper vessel originally sourced from a Cognac house — which imparts a softness, grain clarity, and textural elegance that column-still bourbons simply cannot replicate. The result is a bourbon that leads with grain character rather than barrel domination: sweet corn, cream, baking spice, and soft vanilla, with oak playing a supporting rather than leading role.
For Blackwell's customers who appreciate craft provenance and California terroir in their spirits, this is a standout choice that delivers something genuinely different from the Kentucky mainstream.
Origins & Craftsmanship
Low Gap is produced at the Tamar Distillery in Ukiah, Mendocino County, California, by distiller Crispin Cain — a figure whose résumé is as distinctive as his whiskey. Cain spent years as assistant distiller to legendary brandy master Hubert Germain-Robin, an apprenticeship that shaped his entire approach to distillation: patience, grain quality, and a preference for pot-still softness over column-still efficiency.
The bourbon's mash bill is built around a high-corn base with malted barley and malted rye — grains fermented to dryness in refrigerated stainless steel tanks before double distillation on the antique cognac still, a 420-gallon copper pot purchased from Cognac Tiffon. That still — rarely used in American whiskey production — produces a distinctly clean, grain-forward new-make spirit. The 2021 distillation date stamps this release with a clear vintage identity, allowing customers and collectors to track specific production runs over time. Descent to bottling proof is made with filtered rainwater, in keeping with the distillery's artisanal approach throughout. Aged in new charred American oak, the bourbon meets all legal requirements for the Straight designation while retaining the grain-forward character that defines the Low Gap house style.
Critics Reviews
Low Gap has received recognition from Whisky Advocate, which named an earlier Low Gap release its Artisan Whiskey of the Year, and the brand has earned Double Gold medals at the 50 Best Whiskies competition. No widely published professional critic scores are available specifically for the "Distilled in 2021" release.
Tasting Profile
Nose Sweet and inviting, with fresh corn cream at the center. Vanilla bean, honeydew melon, and a light orange jam note open gradually, followed by a soft floral lift — more a craft distillery in the Sierra foothills than a bourbon from Kentucky. Subtle beeswax and a faint grain-husk earthiness give it depth without heaviness.
Palate Clean and grain-forward — the cognac still's influence is unmistakable. Cream biscuit and sweet corn arrive first, followed by mild citrus, vanilla cream, butterscotch, and a gentle suggestion of toasted oak. The mouthfeel is soft and rounded, never aggressive, with the malted rye and barley adding texture and a light, savory undertone that keeps it from reading as purely sweet.
Finish Medium and clean, with a pleasant drying note of toasted oak and light baking spice. The sweetness fades gracefully, leaving behind a light warmth and a faint ghost of vanilla and corn husk that lingers just long enough.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| ABV / Proof | Verify on label (typically 41–43.25% / 82–86.5 Proof for Low Gap) |
| Origin / Region | USA — California, Mendocino County |
| Producer | Tamar Distillery / Crispin Cain, Ukiah, CA |
| Grain / Mash Bill | High-corn base with malted barley and malted rye |
| Distillation | Double-distilled on antique 16HL Charentais cognac pot still |
| Aging / Maturation | New charred American oak; distilled 2021 |
| Style / Identity | California craft straight bourbon — grain-forward, soft, cognac-still character |
| Aromas & Flavors | Sweet corn, vanilla cream, honeydew, orange jam, butterscotch, beeswax, toasted oak |
Serving & Occasion
Best served neat or with a few drops of water to fully open the grain character. An excellent introduction to California craft bourbon for Scotch and cognac drinkers who find mainstream Kentucky bourbon overly barrel-dominant. Well-suited to gifting for whiskey enthusiasts who collect vintage-dated American releases. Works beautifully in a low-intervention Old Fashioned where grain character can shine through.
Original: $68.00
-65%$68.00
$23.80Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Low Gap is one of the most genuinely unusual bourbons produced in America — and this "Distilled in 2021" release makes that story concrete. Rather than hiding behind a no-age-statement label, it declares its vintage openly, offering transparency that most craft producers still shy away from. That honesty reflects the producer's entire philosophy: make spirit clean and honest enough to stand on its own terms.
What makes Low Gap structurally different from virtually every other bourbon on the market is the still. Distiller Crispin Cain produces on a hand-operated antique cognac pot still — a 16HL Charentais-style copper vessel originally sourced from a Cognac house — which imparts a softness, grain clarity, and textural elegance that column-still bourbons simply cannot replicate. The result is a bourbon that leads with grain character rather than barrel domination: sweet corn, cream, baking spice, and soft vanilla, with oak playing a supporting rather than leading role.
For Blackwell's customers who appreciate craft provenance and California terroir in their spirits, this is a standout choice that delivers something genuinely different from the Kentucky mainstream.
Origins & Craftsmanship
Low Gap is produced at the Tamar Distillery in Ukiah, Mendocino County, California, by distiller Crispin Cain — a figure whose résumé is as distinctive as his whiskey. Cain spent years as assistant distiller to legendary brandy master Hubert Germain-Robin, an apprenticeship that shaped his entire approach to distillation: patience, grain quality, and a preference for pot-still softness over column-still efficiency.
The bourbon's mash bill is built around a high-corn base with malted barley and malted rye — grains fermented to dryness in refrigerated stainless steel tanks before double distillation on the antique cognac still, a 420-gallon copper pot purchased from Cognac Tiffon. That still — rarely used in American whiskey production — produces a distinctly clean, grain-forward new-make spirit. The 2021 distillation date stamps this release with a clear vintage identity, allowing customers and collectors to track specific production runs over time. Descent to bottling proof is made with filtered rainwater, in keeping with the distillery's artisanal approach throughout. Aged in new charred American oak, the bourbon meets all legal requirements for the Straight designation while retaining the grain-forward character that defines the Low Gap house style.
Critics Reviews
Low Gap has received recognition from Whisky Advocate, which named an earlier Low Gap release its Artisan Whiskey of the Year, and the brand has earned Double Gold medals at the 50 Best Whiskies competition. No widely published professional critic scores are available specifically for the "Distilled in 2021" release.
Tasting Profile
Nose Sweet and inviting, with fresh corn cream at the center. Vanilla bean, honeydew melon, and a light orange jam note open gradually, followed by a soft floral lift — more a craft distillery in the Sierra foothills than a bourbon from Kentucky. Subtle beeswax and a faint grain-husk earthiness give it depth without heaviness.
Palate Clean and grain-forward — the cognac still's influence is unmistakable. Cream biscuit and sweet corn arrive first, followed by mild citrus, vanilla cream, butterscotch, and a gentle suggestion of toasted oak. The mouthfeel is soft and rounded, never aggressive, with the malted rye and barley adding texture and a light, savory undertone that keeps it from reading as purely sweet.
Finish Medium and clean, with a pleasant drying note of toasted oak and light baking spice. The sweetness fades gracefully, leaving behind a light warmth and a faint ghost of vanilla and corn husk that lingers just long enough.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| ABV / Proof | Verify on label (typically 41–43.25% / 82–86.5 Proof for Low Gap) |
| Origin / Region | USA — California, Mendocino County |
| Producer | Tamar Distillery / Crispin Cain, Ukiah, CA |
| Grain / Mash Bill | High-corn base with malted barley and malted rye |
| Distillation | Double-distilled on antique 16HL Charentais cognac pot still |
| Aging / Maturation | New charred American oak; distilled 2021 |
| Style / Identity | California craft straight bourbon — grain-forward, soft, cognac-still character |
| Aromas & Flavors | Sweet corn, vanilla cream, honeydew, orange jam, butterscotch, beeswax, toasted oak |
Serving & Occasion
Best served neat or with a few drops of water to fully open the grain character. An excellent introduction to California craft bourbon for Scotch and cognac drinkers who find mainstream Kentucky bourbon overly barrel-dominant. Well-suited to gifting for whiskey enthusiasts who collect vintage-dated American releases. Works beautifully in a low-intervention Old Fashioned where grain character can shine through.