Mentions of Northern California usually call to mind soaring redwoods, laid-back vibes, expansive ocean views, fresh coastal breezes, gorgeous vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, and… whiskey. Wait. What?

Sausalito Liquor Co. founder Scott Jampol hopes that wine country is willing to make room for a few friendly spirits. The former marketing exec-turned-local bartender took inspiration from his quirky San Francisco Bay area community to form the basis of a product portfolio that so far includes bourbon, rye, and gin, earning medals at the L.A. Spirits Awards and San Diego Spirits Festival for his efforts right out of the (Golden) gate.

The Unsinkable Bourbon (99 proof) gives aged Tennessee-sourced whiskey the California treatment by tossing it into Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks for a while to create a unique marriage of flavors. The result is interesting. The nose offers classic bourbon aromas of caramel and vanilla with a hint of citrus. It drinks a bit thin, but what this whiskey lacks in texture/mouthfeel, it makes up for in impact. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. This stuff comes in hot, revealing earthy notes, dark fruit, and a little bit of must from the Cab barrels once the initial sting starts to fade. A little water softens the blow just enough for pleasant sipping. For a cocktail suggestion, the brand recommends tweaking traditional Boulevardier proportions to go heavier on the whiskey.

The 95-proof Unsinkable Rye counterpart takes the same approach, relying on Napa port wine barrels to impart sweetness and flavor to the Kentucky whiskey finishing. I got whiffs of hard candy, baking spice, and apple pie on the nose and a more pronounced grape on the tongue than I did with the bourbon, which made me prefer the rye if forced to choose. Manhattan lovers should taste this one neat before automatically mixing it into a cocktail; you may find it appealing enough to sip straight or pour over a large single ice cube without any adornment.

There’s also a Marin Coastal Gin made with citrus peel, locally foraged seaweed, Santa Rosa Angelica seeds, and two types of juniper… but I’ll leave that one up to the clear-spirits experts to judge and review.

Sausalito Liquor Co. will ship online product orders to 42 states or look for the goods at bars, restaurants, and stores across California.