Just recently, we discussed the trend of whiskies inspired by beer. Tossing another onto the pile: the California-based Amador Straight Hop-Flavored Whiskey. This release was crafted by Napa Valley area Charbay Master Distiller Marko Karakasevic, part of a 12th generation of distillers.

Its moniker is a bit of a misnomer, as this whiskey doesn’t have artificial flavoring, which is what I’d thought at first. Instead, it’s a blend of 60 percent straight malt whiskey, and 40 percent hop-flavored whiskey, which is distilled from Racer 5 IPA, a craft beer brewed by the Bear Republic Brewery. After these two…