Charbay Distillery Hazmat American Whiskey

This is a release that means a lot to me. Seelbach's mission is to explore and advocate craft spirits. That's not possible without distilleries like Charbay. They were one of the first craft distilleries in the country, dating back to 1983. I even mentioned them in my first blog post for Seelbach's in 2018. Long before the bourbon boom, the Karakasevic family led craft distillation. Others thought they were crazy. By 2025, they’re still crafting amazing whiskey, adding their unique flair and creativity. 

Known for their brandy and American whiskey, Charbay has built a cult-like following. Their barrels from other Independent Bottlers have sold out in minutes. I knew it was time to track down the source! We started with several different variations of ages and mash bills. All at a proof that makes other hazmats seem like a daily sipper. Brian and I tasted the samples. We kept going back to two different barrels. One we loved for the rich malt and caramel notes. The other was bright, citrus, and enticing. In what I thought was a long shot, I reached out to Jenni and Marko with the idea to blend these barrels together. Thankfully, they completely agreed, and the first-ever Charbay Seelbach's blend was born!
 
Charbay American Whiskey Private Blend 150.5 Proof - Selected by Seelbach's
 
The nose opens with chocolate malt balls and orange zest. It's bright with nice spiced notes of white pepper and toasted nutmeg. There are no hints of the high proof on the nose.
 
On the palate, flavors intensify significantly. There are notes of orange creamsicle, cardamom, and toasted coconut. The heat comes through. But, it's so developed in flavor that it doesn't overpower. The funkier notes start to pop with vegetal and sticky bun on the back palate.
 
The finish is long! A reminder of the proof transitions to black tea, oak, and fermented mash. It's a complex whiskey that has you chasing new notes every time you take a sip.