Low Gap Bourbon is a young bourbon that was master minded by Crispin Cain who joined Hubert Germain-Robin and Ainsley Coale in the late 80’s in Ukiah, CA. What were Hubert and Ainsley doing up in Ukiah? Making Brandy of course.

In the early 80’s the two hooked up and Hubert brought in a 13 HL hand-hammered copper cognac pot still from France that had been made in 1937 but abandoned since 1951. Using this antique cognac still they started making brandy, since they couldn’t call it cognac for Appellation d’origine reasons. In the late 80’s Crispin joined the team and started working on other spirits and some 20 odd years later we have this sample of Low Gap Bourbon I’m tasting now.

Low Gap Bourbon Info

Region: California, USA

Distiller: Craft Distillers
Mashbill: 65% Corn, 15% Malted Rye, 20% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS
ABV: 43.2%

Price: $75

Low Gap Bourbon Review

EYE
Amber

NOSE
Caramel, grain, sawdust, vanilla, candy corn, hazelnuts and a light bit of spice and waxy fruit. It’s interesting, but needs more time in oak. It’s brisk and youthful, but lacking in depth.

PALATE
Young wood, caramel, spice, butterscotch, nuts and a light bit of waxy fruit. Not complex, but not unpleasant.

FINISH
Medium fade of toffee, nuts, young wood and spice.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a light feel.

OVERALL
Low Gap Bourbon has a youthful vibrance about it, which is nice, but that vibrance comes at a cost and that cost is depth. Everything feels topical and light, there’s no oaky backbone to it like you’d expect in a bourbon, which we know from the Union Horse Bourbon is something that can be achieved in as little as two years. I think the main problem here could be climate.

California is temperate and as such never sees the temperature swings like you do in places like Kansas and Kentucky. This means the barrels don’t expand and contract to the same degree as they do in states that see freezing winters and boiling summers. This lack of molecular movement means that they might need to age their whiskey for 6+ years to achieve the same results as a 3-4 year whiskey from places like KS or KY. Still, Low Gap Bourbon is not terrible, just not terribly complex.

SCORE: 82/100 (B-)

*Disclosure: This sample of Low Gap Bourbon was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

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