What started as a neighborhood collaboration has grown into something deeper — a celebration of local grain, local craft, and the spirit of beer itself.
That’s why we’re thrilled to re-release Axe Hole Single Malt Whiskey, our small-batch collaboration with our friends down the road at Calwise Spirits in Paso Robles. First launched in 2024 and now back for a limited time, this unique whiskey is distilled from the same all-barley sour mash that fuels our Proprietor’s Vintage beer program, then aged for three years in charred American oak barrels.
“It’s a continuation of what we’ve always done,” said Firestone Walker’s Nick Firestone. “We’ve worked with spirits barrels for nearly 20 years to create our strong ales. Collaborating with Calwise is a natural extension of that tradition — it’s about deepening roots and doing something meaningful with a neighbor we trust.”
The new 2025 batch is once again limited to just three barrels — producing a mere 100 cases of whiskey. Each bottle offers a smooth, bourbon-like character with layered notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak. It’s everything you’d expect from a high-quality single malt — only this one is brewed from beer DNA.
What Makes Axe Hole Different?
It starts with the mash. Rather than using peated malt or corn blends, Axe Hole is made from Firestone Walker’s all-barley grain bill — the same one used to brew some of our most celebrated barrel-aged beers. After fermentation at the brewery, the mash is sent down the road to Calwise Spirits, where Master Distiller Aaron Bergh works his magic on a custom-built still.
“A lot of people associate single malts with Scotch, but this leans more toward bourbon,” said Bergh. “You still get that richness and grain character from the barley, but the American oak aging brings out vanilla and caramel tones. It’s incredibly smooth and uniquely California.”
Where to Find It
The new 2025 release of Axe Hole is available exclusively through Calwise Spirits — both online and at their tasting room in Paso Robles. It won’t be around for long.
Whether you’re a whiskey lover, a Firestone diehard, or just someone who appreciates a damn good story in a bottle — this one’s worth seeking out.
Buy Axe Hole from Calwise
Visit Calwise Spirits Tasting Room