Distillery profile

Devils Creek

Explore the distillery's history, craft, production, and the distinctive character of its whiskies.

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Devils Creek Distillery

Short overview of the distillery

Devils Creek Distillery is located in Mammoth Lakes, California, and is run by the Mendel family. The distillery focuses on a grain-to-glass process, where meltwater from alpine lakes and regionally grown grain are combined with specialty malt from Admiral Maltings. Distillation takes place high in the mountains (7,760 feet) and is followed by at least four years of aging in traditionally coopered casks from Kelvin Cooperage.

History

John and Luan Mendel moved from Los Angeles to the Eastern Sierra in 2013 with a desire for a life closer to nature and a new, family-based business venture. The family got involved in the craft-distilling movement in late 2015, and in 2017 they established Devils Creek Distillery to create a Californian grain-to-glass experience. The first release bottlings appeared in 2019, and since then the distillery has gained attention and competition medals, particularly for their California Straight Bourbon and Rye. Family involvement and a practical, craft-focused approach have been consistent throughout the development of the place.

Raw materials and production

The production's raw materials include snow melt from alpine lakes in the Eastern Sierra, native-grown grains from Adams Grain Company, and malt delivered from Admiral Maltings. Distillation takes place at an elevation around 7,760 feet in Mammoth Lakes. Head distiller Clayton Mendel is responsible for the selection of ingredients and the selection of casks. The distillery works from a grain-to-glass practice and emphasizes craftsmanship, raw material quality, and carefully selected casks from Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky.

Maturation and cask types

The whiskies mature in traditionally coopered casks from Kelvin Cooperage and are stored with a stated minimum aging of four years. The distillery also offers experimental and limited releases through the Adventure Series and single-barrel releases, where individual barrels are selected by the distiller to highlight distinctive characteristics.

Whiskies

The core range consists of California Straight Bourbon Whiskey and California Straight Rye Whiskey, both small-batch releases with at least four years of aging. In addition, the distillery releases limited series: Adventure Series, which are stylistically varied, rare releases sold only on-site, as well as Distiller’s Select Single Barrel Releases, where individual barrels are selected and bottled individually. The products are sold locally with curbside pickup and online shipping within California.

Whisky Type / Series Age Cask and Style Flavor Profile Status
California Straight Bourbon Whiskey Straight Bourbon Minimum 4 years Traditional coopered casks Flagship release described as a 95-proof whiskey. Blended from selected barrels to show the distillery's style.; Nose: Red fruit, crème brûlée, grapefruit peel, licorice, dried fig; Palate: Rich and vegetal, floral, vanilla, caramelized sugar, candy apple, cherry; Finish: Mid finish, warm, true dark chocolate, light oak Current; Core range; Available locally, curbside pickup and online within California
California Straight Rye Whiskey Straight Rye Minimum 4 years Traditional coopered casks Small-batch release described as a 100-proof edition and described as blended from selected casks for a powerful rye expression.; Nose: Black tea, leather, caramel, fresh cut grass; Palate: Butterscotch, black pepper, lavender; Finish: Lingering, warm, chocolate, cedar Current; Core range; Available locally, curbside pickup and online within California
Adventure Series Limited/Varied Series of stylistically varied, limited releases, only available at the distillery as rare releases. Limited; Available only at the distillery
Distiller’s Select Single Barrel Releases Single Barrel / Limited; Single Barrel Series Single barrels selected by head distiller Limited; Limited, often only available at the distillery

Whisky styles and flavor profiles

The Bourbon expression is described with fruity and citrusy aromas (red fruit, grapefruit, dried fig) as well as confectionery and caramel notes (crème brûlée, caramelized sugar, candy apple) and vanilla. The Rye release brings notes of black tea, leather, and fresh-cut grass combined with butterscotch, black pepper, lavender, and a finish with cedar and dark chocolate. Taken together, the descriptions point to fruit, sweetness/confection, and spicy/cedar-like facets.

Visiting the distillery

The distillery has a public tasting room open on Fridays and Saturdays from 3–6 pm. Outside of these times, guests can book semi-private tastings and tours by appointment. Local customers can pick up purchases via curbside pickup, and the distillery’s bottles can be ordered online with shipping to customers in California. Contact details and phone number are provided for bookings and inquiries.

The stated opening hours are: Public tasting room hours are Fridays and Saturdays 3–6pm. Available by appointment for semi-private tastings and tours outside of these hours.

Philosophy and craftsmanship

Devils Creek combines a grain-to-glass approach with a monozukuri-inspired emphasis on craftsmanship and the details of the process. Transparency in raw material choices, careful selection of casks, and patience in aging are central principles in the distillery's work.

Awards and recognitions

  • PLATINUM 2023 ASCOT Awards (2023, Platinum, California Straight Bourbon Whiskey)

  • SILVER 2023 American Distilling Institute (2023, Silver, California Straight Bourbon Whiskey)

  • SILVER 2023 San Francisco Intl Spirits Competition (2023, Silver, California Straight Bourbon Whiskey)

  • GOLD 2023 ASCOT Awards (2023, Gold, California Straight Rye Whiskey)

  • SILVER 2023 American Distilling Institute (2023, Silver, California Straight Rye Whiskey)

  • SILVER 2019 Sunset Magazine Intl Spirits Competition (2019, Silver, California Straight Rye Whiskey)