Hinterhaus Distilling

Short about the distillery

Hinterhaus Distilling is located in Arnold in the Sierra Nevada and is a family-owned, award-winning distillery. Here, American Single Malt, bourbon and rye as well as vodka and gin distilled from Californian wine are produced. The work rests on local raw materials, fresh mountain water and processes such as open-air fermentation and floor-malted barley; the goal is clear: to let the site's grain, water and elevation influence the character of the spirits.

History

Bonnie and Nate Randall established Hinterhaus with a clear intention to produce American Single Malt as a central expression. From the concept they selected equipment and workflows with single malt in mind, entered into collaborations with local farmers on floor-malted barley and used fresh water from the Sierra Nevada. The distillery operates and bottles from a mountain location around 4,000 feet above sea level. Over the years, Hinterhaus has earned numerous awards and professional recognitions, and in 2024 Nate Randall was named Rising Star in Distilling by the American Distilling Institute.

Raw materials and production

The raw material approach is local: the distillery uses barley from Northern California, which in some cases floor-malts locally. American Single Malt goes through open-air fermentation, a deliberate choice to let the local microflora play a role in the fermentation. Vodka and gin are distilled from Californian wine, while bourbon and rye are distilled and finished aging with a focus on local casks. The water supply comes from the Sierra Nevada's mountain springs, and the equipment and processes are chosen to support single malt production. Ongoing experimentation with finish types and local wine barrels.

Maturation and barrel types

Hinterhaus actively works with finishes in local California wine barrels for its bourbons, which is a recurring element in the Calaveras series. The distillery also produces single barrel editions bottled at cask strength. Trapper's Oath Rye is extra aged and finished resting in ex-bourbon and ex-stout barrels. The high-altitude storage location and variation in local wine barrels are central to the distillery's approach to maturation and finish.

Whiskies' style and flavor profile

Across reviews and tasting notes, fruitiness, sweetness and wood influence are clearly evident. Fruity directions such as wine fruit, cherry and red fruit are mentioned, while sweeter elements like honey, caramel and even 'ice cream' appear in descriptions. Wood and oak tones are attributed to finishes in ex-bourbon and local wine barrels, and spices such as pepper are particularly highlighted in notes for gin and some whiskey releases. The descriptors span several products and reflect work with local casks and finishes.

Visit the Distillery

The tasting room is open Thursday–Saturday 12–6 pm and Sunday 12–5 pm at the address 925 Highway 4, Arnold, CA. Drop-in guests can buy bottles, order tasting flights or cocktails. Guided tours through the production area are typically offered on Saturdays and last about an hour; the tour ends with a special tasting. No one under 21 may be indoors; certified service animals are allowed. California law limits bottle sales and alcohol consumption at tastings.

The stated opening hours are Thursday - Saturday: 12 - 6 pm; Sunday: 12 - 5 pm.

Philosophy and craft

The distillery's philosophy is local and artisanal: family-owned operation, collaboration with neighbors on grain and barrels, and a conscious strategy to let the site's ingredients and climate shape the flavor expression. The choice to make single malt the cornerstone has consequences for both equipment and product development.

Awards and recognitions

• North Grove Vodka - Country Winner, United States (Country Winner (United States), North Grove Vodka)

• South Grove Gin - Best of Category / 95 Points / Double Gold (Best of Category; 95 Points; Double Gold, South Grove Gin)

• North Grove Vodka - Best in Category / Double Gold (Best in Category; Double Gold, North Grove Vodka)

• Calaveras Cask Finish Bourbon - 94 Points (94 Points; Top 100 Spirits, Calaveras Cask Finish Bourbon)

• Calaveras Cask Strength Single Barrel Reserve - 93 Points (93 Points, Calaveras Cask Strength Single Barrel Reserve)

• Trapper's Oath - 93 Points (93 Points, Trapper's Oath Extra Aged Rye Whiskey)

• American Single Malt Whiskey Discovery - 91 Points (91 Points, American Single Malt Whiskey - Discovery)