St George Breaking & Entering American Whiskey is one of those bottles that catches your eye and then makes you work to figure out what's actually going on inside. Produced by St George Spirits — a craft operation better known for their gins and eau de vie — this NAS American whiskey sits at a comfortable 43% ABV and carries the "Breaking & Entering" name as a nod to the team's approach: they source barrels from different distilleries, then blend them together to create something distinctly their own. It's not a straight bourbon, and the label doesn't claim to be. It's an American whiskey, full stop, and there's nothing wrong with that.
What I appreciate about this bottle is the honesty. Too many craft brands dress up sourced whiskey in vague storytelling. St George just tells you upfront: we found barrels we liked, we blended them, here you go. At £61.25, you're paying a premium for a NAS whiskey, but you're also paying for the blending skill of a team that genuinely knows what they're doing with spirits. These are people who've been distilling since the 1980s — their palate is sharp.
Tasting Notes
I don't have detailed tasting notes to break down nose, palate, and finish individually here, but I can tell you what to expect from the style. As an American whiskey blended from bourbon barrels, you're looking at a profile that leans into classic bourbon territory — think caramel sweetness, a bit of vanilla, probably some baking spice — but with a lighter, more approachable character than a cask-strength single barrel would give you. The 43% ABV keeps things smooth and easy-drinking without sacrificing flavour. It's the kind of whiskey that doesn't demand your full attention but rewards it when you give it.
The Verdict
I'm giving St George Breaking & Entering a 7.8 out of 10. It's a genuinely good whiskey that does what it sets out to do: deliver a well-balanced, enjoyable American whiskey experience from a team with real craft credentials. The price point is a touch high for what is ultimately a NAS blended whiskey — you can find some solid age-stated bourbons in the same bracket — but you're paying for the St George name and their blending expertise, and honestly, I think that's fair. This isn't trying to compete with big Kentucky distilleries on their own turf. It's doing its own thing, from Alameda, California, and doing it well.
If you're someone who enjoys exploring beyond the usual bourbon suspects, this is a bottle worth having on your shelf. It's interesting without being challenging, flavourful without being heavy, and it speaks to what a good blender can achieve with well-chosen source material.
Best Served
This whiskey is built for an Old Fashioned. The approachable proof and sweet bourbon-leaning profile mean it plays beautifully with a sugar cube, a couple dashes of Angostura, and an orange peel. The blend's smoothness means it won't fight the cocktail — it'll carry it. That said, it's perfectly good neat or with a single ice cube if you want to keep things simple. Pour it after dinner, put something good on, and just enjoy it for what it is.
