Ukiah, California-based Charbay Distilery has released a limited edition CharRacer 5 (R5) Aged Whiskey to benefit the survivors of the devastating California Camp Fire. The newly released Lot No. 5 was distilled by 13^th generation distiller, Marko Karakasevic in July 2013, in collaboration with Bear Republic® Brewery. The whiskey was distilled from his favorite IPA, Racer 5 IPA, and brings together two family-owned businesses and neighbors. A total of $10,000 from the proceeds of Lot 5 will go directly to wildfire survivors in Northern California.

More from a press release:

“The 2018 Camp Fire ravaged our local community last fall and we had to step up and do what we could to help our friends and neighbors rebuild their lives,” said Jenni Karakasevic, Charbay’s co-owner and director of operations. “We co-founded the non-profit Stand for Kindness in 2017 to help fire survivors and we knew we needed to do even more. When Marko suggested a fire relief whiskey, we went to work to designate Lot No. 5 as our way to continue supporting local families.”

R5 Aged Whiskey, Lot No. 5 was double distilled in Charbay’s Charentais Alambic copper pot still from bottle-ready Racer 5 IPA. The brainchild of distiller Marko Karakasevic, R5 took more than four years of extensive research with the Bear Republic team. “I chose the award-winning Racer 5 because it is the definition of Northern California IPA,” said Marko. “It’s also my favorite beer, and its flavors translate perfectly into our whiskey.” Lot No. 5 has an aroma of toasted cinnamon and honeysuckle complemented by notes of baking spices and tobacco on the palate before a long, sweet, herbaceous finish. 

Bottles of the limited edition R5 Whiskey, Lot No 5, will be available for purchase at select retailers including Winfield Flynn (NYC) and Sunshine Market (Napa Valley, CA) as well as online at Flask and Hi Time. Lot No. 5 has a 49.5% ABV and has a suggested retail price of $60. 

About Stand for Kindness

Stand for Kindness has been helping fire survivors rebuild their lives since 2017. The team of three Bay Area women have distributed donations directly to over 175 families and hosted a personalized Christmas Program for 400 children in 2018. For more information, please visit www.standforkindness.org.

About Charbay Distillery & Winery

Charbay is an independent family-owned-and-operated business managed by Miles and Susan Karakasevic and now run by their son Marko and his wife, Jenni, to carry on the inherited artisan traditions dating back to Serbia in 1751. The family is one of the early pioneers in the modern American artisan distillery movement, celebrating 36 years of distilling and 21 years of Charbay Vodka. The family began distilling in California in 1983, starting with Alambic Pot Still Brandy. Their lineup includes whiskeys distilled from bottle-ready beer, brandies distilled from Napa Valley grapes, vodkas flavored from 100% real fruit or tea and rum distilled from sugar cane syrup. Marko is the 13^th generation to carry on the family’s European heritage of fermenting and distilling. The distillery is based in Ukiah, California, surrounded by hop farms and wine grape vineyards. For more information, please visit www.charbay.com.