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The American Mixologist Online® Newsletter
Vol. 15, No. 28 All Rights Reserved
Management
You’ve probably heard the adage before that
the only constant is change. It’s especially true in the beverage
industry, where manufacturers continue to introduce new products
to capture the drinking public’s imagination. Often watching
where the major shakers and movers in our industry place their resources
is an excellent indicator of future trends.
On the off chance you might have missed the initial fanfare surrounding
their introduction, here are some of the most promising new spirits
and liqueurs introduced last year. Guaranteed they’ll look
great on your back bar.
- Cîroc Snap Frost
Vodka — If you’re looking for an ultra-chic vodka
with a singular point of difference, look no further. Cîroc
is made from premium French grapes cultivated in the South of
France. The grapes are left on the vines until the first frost.
The brilliantly flavorful juice is then cold-filtered over an
extended time, fermented and distilled five times in small, alembic
stills. Cîroc is crisp and light bodied with a subtle citrusy
finish.
- Corazon 100% Agave Añejo
Tequila — Crafted in the high altitudes of the Arandas
Mountains, Corazon Añejo is aged in oak barrels for a minimum
of two years. It is an impressively flavorful tequila, loaded
with spice, pepper and oaky vanilla. While you’re at it,
sample the Corazon Blanco. It has an earthy, herbal, vegetal quality
that is very pleasant.
- Cruzan Mango Rum
— Made in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Island, Cruzan is
world renown for making some of the finest rums that can be served
in a glass. Their newest flavor has the fresh aroma and flavor
of ripe mangoes. It’s clear, light-bodied with just a touch
of natural fruit sweetness in the relaxed finish. This Cruzan
gem is ideal for making a wide range of cocktails, as is the entire
range of Cruzan flavored-rums.
- Effen Vodka —
This classy, contemporary spirit is made in Northern Holland.
The continuous -distilled vodka is made from wheat and filtered
through peat. It is flawlessly smooth with a body and texture
of satin. Effen Vodka is presented in a sleek, attention-grabbing
package wrapped with a rubber, no-slip label.
- Gran Duque de Alba
—Produced in southern Spain, Gran Duque de Alba Solera Gran
Reserva Brandy is an elegant spirit first matured in used sherry
casks, then further aged by the traditional Solera system. It
is gloriously smooth, slightly sweet with nutty notes in its bouquet
and palate. How this outstanding Brandy de Jerez can retail for
under $30 is well beyond us.
- Hpnotiq —
This ultra-hip aquamarine colored liqueur hails from France. Hpnotiq
is a blend of triple-distilled vodka, aged cognac and a proprietary
mix of natural tropical fruit juices. It has more complexity than
most liqueurs, the secret behind which may well be the blend of
exotic fruit juices. Hpnotiq was created with a cocktail glass
in mind.
- Inner Circle Rum
— This classic range of rums from Australia was first distilled
in 1873. The rum is distilled in pot stills from sugar cane grown
in Fiji and Australia. The range includes an 80-proof, 90-proof,
115-proof and a 151-overproof. The sophisticated Inner Circle
Rums are marvelously distinct and cannot be confused with any
other rum past or present.
- Kahlúa Especial
— This 70-proof liqueur is made entirely from high grade,
Arabica coffee beans from South America. Kahlúa Especial
is aromatic, richly textured and has a complex palate of freshly
brewed coffee, dark chocolate with hints of vanilla and mocha.
Especial’s elevated proof, lighter body and exuberant character
make it a prime candidate for a broad range of cocktails and mixed
drinks.
- Magellan —
Martini savvy haunts will want to be the first on their block
to carry Magellan Gin. It is made in small batches in Cognac,
France from triple-distilled neutral spirits, spring water and
11 freeze-dried botanicals, a mix that includes cloves. During
the fourth and final distillation, the gin is infused with deep-blue
Iris petals. The result is a sensationally flavorful spirit with
a light blue tint. The color is naturally produced and mesmerizing
in a cocktail.
- Martin Miller’s
Reformed London Dry Gin — This sophisticated spirit
is batch distilled in Langley, England, then shipped 3000 miles
to the remote Icelandic village of Borganes. There the spirit
is diluted to 80-proof using the glacier-fed waters of the Selyri
Spring. The pure, soft water imbues the gin with a satiny body
and delectable floral and citrus character that is well worth
experiencing.
- Potacki Wódka
— This regal Polish spirit has a long and intriguing history,
overshadowed only by the classic character of the vodka itself.
It is double-distilled in pot stills and left unfiltered. It is
a remarkable achievement, one worthy of the top-shelf treatment.
- Pyrat Superior Blanco
Rum — Crafted on the island of Anguilla, this appropriately
named light rum is a blend of Solera-aged, pot-distilled rums
and coral-filtered spring water. The golden color is carefully
filtered out rendering it crystal clear. This Pyrat is utterly
delicious.
- Scorpion Mezcal
— Do not let the scorpion inside the bottle dissuade you
from sampling this elegant triple-distilled, 100% agave mezcal.
The three-year-old añejo is especially marvelous. Tequila
aficionados will certainly appreciate experiencing this outstanding
Mexican import.
- Shakers Rose Vodka
— Made in Princeton, Minnesota, Shakers Rose is an ultra-premium,
100% wheat vodka infused with elixir of rose and over a dozen
natural flavors, including honey, vanilla and citrus. It has a
slightly sweet character and an alluring rose-tint. The vodka
is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
- Vox Raspberry
—Vox Vodka is a pristine, ultra-premium spirit distilled
five times from 100% wheat, then repeatedly filtered through screens
made of inert material to achieve its essential purity. Vox Raspberry
has a lush, true-to-fruit bouquet, a light, soft body and a full,
rounded palate of sun-drenched raspberries. The vodka tapers off
without burn or unwanted heat, leaving behind the lingering flavor
of fresh picked raspberries.
- Wet by Beefeater
—This surprisingly light Gin is brimming with flavor, but
not the flavor we’ve grown accustomed to all these years.
The magic of Wet by Beefeater is a delicate essence of fruit that
resonates through its bouquet and palate with lushness heretofore
unimagined. To further the effect, Wet by Beefeater is bottled
at an accessible 70 proof, which allows the flavor components
to linger on the palate and heighten the taste.
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