Rice-made spirits

Gold River Distillery adds a unique ingredient to its Wheel House Malted Whiskey ($5 for 1.5 ounces, $55 per bottle). The Rancho Cordova-based company uses rice grown right here in Sacramento and then ships it off to Eckert Malting & Brewing in Chico for malting. Each pour packs a taste that is unusual, yet fascinating. The aromatics are like a fragrant treasure hunt as you attempt to identify each flavor component between sips. The whiskey is not exactly a scotch notwithstanding its pleasant smokiness and complex background tones. The secret here is the subtle and sweet coffee notes that become more pronounced the deeper you get into the glass. Call it a multi-directional whiskey. 11460 Sunrise Gold Cir C, Rancho Cordova; goldriverdistillery.com.