Savage & Cooke is a California-based distillery founded in 2016 by renowned Napa Valley winemaker Dave Phinney, best known for his work with the brands Orin Swift and The Prisoner. The distillery is located on Mare Island, a former naval shipyard with a rich history, which provides a unique backdrop for the brand's industrial-meets-artisanal approach.

The brand's philosophy is a direct extension of Phinney's experience in the wine world, where he is known for his bold and innovative style. Savage & Cooke is a "grain-to-glass" operation, meaning they handle every step of the production process on-site, from milling the grain to distillation, aging, and bottling. They have forged direct relationships with local farmers who grow the grains within a 50-mile radius of the distillery. The whiskeys are made using pristine spring water sourced from a high-elevation mountain property in Alexander Valley.

A key element of Savage & Cooke's identity is its use of wine barrels for finishing its spirits. Drawing on Phinney's connections in the wine industry, the whiskeys are often finished in barrels that previously held his own Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, or Grenache, which imparts a distinct and complex character to the final product. This results in a range of spirits, including bourbons, ryes, and American whiskies, that are known for their rich, dense flavors and a bold finish. The brand is also recognized for its eye-catching and sometimes unconventional label art, which has become a hallmark of the Savage & Cooke and Dave Phinney style.