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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Savage & Cooke was founded by Dave Phinney, the winemaker behind The Prisoner Wine Company — the audacious Napa Valley red blend, inspired by Francisco Goya's etching of the same name, that Phinney eventually sold to Gallo for a reported $300 million. He used those proceeds to acquire vineyards across France, Italy, Greece, and Spain, and then, in 2018, opened a distillery on Mare Island in Vallejo, California — a former naval shipyard chosen specifically for its striking brownstone buildings, ample space, and proximity to both Napa Valley and San Francisco.
Lip Service was the third release in Phinney's whiskey lineup, following Second Glance and Burning Chair, and it represents the house Rye — sourced from Tennessee, distilled from a mash bill of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley. The whiskey ages three years in new charred American oak before Master Distiller Jordan Via transfers a portion into Dave Phinney's own French Grenache barrels for roughly two additional months, adding real flavor, texture, and character beyond what the base rye alone would deliver. Water used throughout comes from a spring on Phinney's own high-elevation property in Alexander Valley.
Christopher Null's original review for Drinkhacker found the whiskey offering "as much wood influence as it does spice-driven aromas, with notes of licorice, red pepper, brown sugar, and caramel all evident," describing the palate as "surprisingly rounded for such a youthful whiskey," with barrel-driven notes blending "in well with notes of fresh red berries, cinnamon, brown butter, and some cloves," concluding it's "a satisfying whiskey, and a genuine original." Savage & Cooke's own tasting notes describe it as "intriguing and inviting right from the start," with "citrus, tropical and floral notes" evolving "to white pepper and toasty vanilla on the palate," calling it "rich, layered and complete." Flaviar's tasting confirms "classic rye spice" layered "over pronounced woody notes with a bit of anise and hard caramel," the palate "well-balanced" and tasting "older than its years," with "buttery cinnamon roll, berry compote, and Aleppo flakes." This is genuinely distinctive, wine-cask-influenced rye — real crossover between Phinney's winemaking sensibility and serious American whiskey craft.
Savage & Cooke Lip Service Rye Whiskey is produced by Savage & Cooke, founded by Napa Valley winemaker Dave Phinney, located on historic Mare Island in Vallejo, California. The rye is sourced from Tennessee, distilled from a mash bill of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley, and ages three years in new charred American oak.
Once deemed mature by Master Distiller Jordan Via, a portion of the whiskey transfers into Dave Phinney's own French Grenache wine barrels for approximately two additional months of finishing. Water used throughout production is drawn from a spring on Phinney's high-elevation property in Alexander Valley. Bottled at 45% ABV / 90 proof, 750ml.
Christopher Null, Drinkhacker:
"Despite its relatively young age and unique finishing, this whiskey offers a relatively classic rye experience. The nose is sharp but clean and approachable, offering as much wood influence as it does spice-driven aromas, with notes of licorice, red pepper, brown sugar, and caramel all evident. The palate is surprisingly rounded for such a youthful whiskey, and while the (primary) barrel-driven notes aren't wholly restrained, they blend in well with notes of fresh red berries, cinnamon, brown butter, and some cloves."
Savage & Cooke (official tasting notes):
"Intriguing and inviting right from the start. Citrus, tropical and floral notes evolve to white pepper and toasty vanilla on the palate. Rich, layered and complete."
Nose
Intense and exciting, with orange peel, clove, and candied ginger leading, joined by licorice, red pepper, and brown sugar, alongside citrus and tropical, floral notes.
Palate
Creamy and velvety, with bright white pepper and berry compote carrying the entry, developing honey, fresh red berry, cinnamon, and brown butter, balanced by hard caramel and buttery cinnamon roll.
Finish
Persistent and long, closing with layers of exotic spice and toasty vanilla.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Rye Whiskey — French Grenache Wine Cask Finished |
| ABV / Proof | 45% ABV / 90 Proof |
| Age | 3 Years |
| Mash Bill | 51% Rye / 45% Corn / 4% Malted Barley |
| Distillery Source | Tennessee |
| Primary Maturation | New charred American oak |
| Finishing | ~2 months, Dave Phinney's own French Grenache barrels |
| Producer | Savage & Cooke — Mare Island, Vallejo, California |
| Founder | Dave Phinney (The Prisoner Wine Company) |
| Master Distiller | Jordan Via |
| Water Source | Spring on Phinney's Alexander Valley property |
| Sister Expressions | Second Glance, Burning Chair |
| Style / Identity | A genuinely distinctive, wine-cask-influenced rye — rich, layered, and complete |
| Aromas & Flavors | Orange peel, clove, candied ginger, berry compote, honey, white pepper |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Manhattan
2 oz Savage & Cooke Lip Service Rye · sweet vermouth · dash of bitters.
Old Fashioned
2 oz Savage & Cooke Lip Service Rye · sugar cube · Angostura bitters · orange twist.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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