I
Snowmelt
Harvested from alpine lakes in the Eastern Sierra.
Grain-to-glass whiskeydistilled at timberline.
Alpine snowmelt, California grain, four years in Kelvin oak — poured by the Mendel family in Mammoth Lakes.
Distilled at 7,760 ft · Public room Fridays and Saturdays, 3–6pm
The argument
The ridgeis the work.
- 01Most American whiskey is born in a river valley.
- 02This one is distilled at 7,760 feet.
- 03Then left in oak while the Sierra does what it does.
The house
A mountain whiskey house,not a circuit.
Copper-top bar, hand-hewn beams, vintage brick, Sherwin views. The room is small on purpose — Friday and Saturday, or by appointment when the still house can open the door.
The tasting roomThe shelf
What the still houseactually bottles.
Flagship
Bourbon
Our flagship spirit is a marriage of barrels selected by the distiller to show what Devils Creek is about — premium craft whiskey. Floral and citrus notes, a luxurious mouthfeel, and an invigorating sip at 95 proof.
95 proof · 750 ml
Cask strength
Rye
A small-batch rye blended from select barrels into a cask-strength release. Rich confectionery flavors with savory undertones — an exhilarating sensory experience at 100 proof.
100 proof · 750 ml
Core lineup
Rum
Part of the core three, distilled in Mammoth Lakes beside the bourbon and rye. Write or call to confirm the current bottling.
750 ml
Distillery only
Limited release
An exciting or remarkable experience — the distillery’s own definition. Adventure Series releases are stylistically different each time, and are only available at the distillery as infrequent limited bottlings. Those who seek out a bottle get a unique taste of adventure.
Varies
Grain to glass
The still-house log.
II
Grain
Adams Grain Company and Admiral Maltings — California fields, California malt.
III
Still
Distilled at 7,760 feet in Mammoth Lakes.
IV
Barrel
Kelvin Cooperage oak from Louisville. A minimum of four years.
V
Glass
Poured at the copper bar, with the Sherwins in the window.
Grain to glass
The still-house log.
I
Snowmelt
Harvested from alpine lakes in the Eastern Sierra.
The country
Landmarks written from the still house.
Each mark sits at a true-enough distance and bearing from Mammoth Lakes — a trail register, not a destination map.
Trail register
From Mammoth Lakes
The name, half of it
Devils Postpile
Columnar basalt west of town — the “Devils” in Devils Creek.
- From town
- 10 mi
- Bearing
- 255°
Elevation
Feet above the river valleys.
A labeled reference — not a competing brand. Most bourbon country sits a few hundred feet above the water. This still house does not.
Still house · 7,760 ft
Trail plaque
Still house · 7,760 ft
The still house
Mammoth Lakes
Distilled at a published 7,760 feet. Alpine snowmelt in, four years of high-country aging after.
The river valleys
Typical American whiskey country
A reference band — not a competing brand. Most bourbon country sits a few hundred feet above the river.
The family
A second actin the Sierra.
John and Luan Mendel left Los Angeles in 2013. Distilling followed in 2015; whiskey in 2017. Their son Clayton runs the still.
The name is a mashup of Devils Postpile and Mammoth Creek — borrowed from Luan’s novel Yard Sale, set in a fictional ski town called Devils Creek.
In the press
Stamped, not invented.
VinePair
Named the California Straight Bourbon Whiskey the California bourbon to take home.
The Whiskey Vault
Featured the California Rye on Rare Whiskey Friday with Daniel and Rex (2020).
Sunset Magazine
Silver medals for both the California Bourbon and California Rye (2019–2020).
American Distilling Institute
2020 Craft Spirits Awards: Bourbon silver, Rye bronze. 2023: silver for both core whiskeys.
Come off the mountain
Tell us when you’ll be in Mammoth.
A date and a guest count are enough. Public hours Fridays and Saturdays, 3–6pm; everything else is arranged by phone or mail.
Or call 760-279-3670