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The American Mixologist Online® Newsletter
Vol. 16, No. 14 All Rights Reserved
Management
Consumption of distilled spirits is at a five-year
high with no evidence of let-up in sight. To meet this steadily
increasing demand, suppliers have concocted some genuinely surprising
innovations, what amounts to an exciting generation of spirits that
until recently didn’t exist. For lack of industry parlance
we’re calling them contemporary hybrid spirits, and they’re
likely to change the way that we view once conventional product
categories.
An excellent example is Heaven Hill’s runaway success, Hpnotiq.
Imported from France, this aquamarine hybrid is made from a singular
blend of triple-distilled vodka, aged cognac and a proprietary mix
of natural tropical juices. Its assemblage of brandies comes from
the Petite Champagne, Fins Bois and Borderies regions. While well
suited for drink making, Hpnotiq is more like a skillfully crafted
cocktail in a cork-finished bottle.
Another hybrid success is Alizé De France, which is an exotic
blend of passion fruit and cognac. Introduced in 2000, Alizé
Red Passion combines passion fruit, cranberry, and Alizé
Cognac. Both versions are frequently featured in cocktails.
RémyRed is another popular line that has resonated with younger
consumers. Their Red Berry Infusion is an engaging blend of red
berries, apricots and peaches. Naturally derived flavorings are
added to the mix, which is then infused with Rémy Martin
Fine Champagne cognac. The line has expanded to include RémyRed
Strawberry Kiwi and RémyRed Grape Berry Infusion, a blend
of grapes, blueberries, apples and Fine Champagne cognac.
This category also now includes Xoteric, Envy, and iridescent green
Intrigue from by Skyy Spirits.
Also defying classification is Jewel of Russia Wild Bilberry Infusion.
This traditional Russian spirit is made from fresh bilberries that
are crushed and steeped in super-premium vodka. The result is an
infusion with a lavish fruit flavor and aroma, yet it is not classified
as a vodka. The infusion is low in alcohol (44 proof), so there’s
no heat or biting edge. It is ideally served chilled, or featured
as an ingredient in any number of cocktails.
Crossing over several conventional categories is Bacardi Ciclón,
a blend of gold rums that is infused with aged tequila and natural
lime flavor. It is an intriguing spirit with a citrus bouquet and
a prominent tequila palate. The rum component pleasantly asserts
itself during the lingering finish.
Equally intriguing is Allied Domecq’s Kuya Fusion Rum. It features
an assemblage of barrel-aged rums, natural citrus flavor extracts
and an array of island spices. Kuya is a fusion between a classic
spiced rum and a new age fruit-flavored rum. This one of a kind
rum is tailor-made for life behind the bar.
The ongoing Martini boom has spawned several exceptionally singular
gins. Rather than relying on dried botanicals, top-shelf N°.
Ten by Tanqueray is made using fresh ingredients, such as grapefruits,
oranges, and limes. The whole fruit and other botanicals are distilled
in an elegant, small batch still designated "N°. Ten."
That spirit is then redistilled four more times. It is an exceptionally
light and vivacious gin, one unlike any that has preceded it.
Wet by Beefeater is another welcomed departure from convention.
It’s a pure grain, London-distilled spirit redistilled with
a select cast of botanicals, including the essence of pears. The
fruit adds a soft and inviting lushness to the gin. Wet is also
bottled at an accessible 70 proof, which allows its delicate flavors
to persist longer on the palate.
Self-described as the "world’s most peculiar gin,"
Hendrick's Gin is imported from Scotland and made from a recipe
that contains juniper, citrus, rose petals and cucumber. That’s
no typo. While not easily perceived on the palate, the flavor of
cucumber is brilliant in a supporting role. Although somewhat eccentric,
Hendrick’s is a spry spirit with a character unlike any other.
Ranking high on the list of hybrid spirits is Kensington. Your first
glimpse of this London dry gin will confirm why. The gin hails from
Scotland and after distillation it’s aged in new American oak
barrels from Kentucky. Kensington is slightly sweet with a touch
of smoke on the finish. Yet its rich amber color is what will capture
immediate attention.
In the mid-‘90s, sales of distilled spirits lagged behind those
of beer and wine. Now as they steadily erode beer’s once seemingly
insurmountable lead, suppliers are fueling consumer demand by launching
increasingly intriguing products. These new generation of spirits
offer testimony that were are indeed evolving as a species.
Bold New Spirits that Continue
to get Hotter and Hotter
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. On the off chance you might
have missed the initial fanfare surrounding their introduction,
here are some of the boldest, most promising new spirits and liqueurs
introduced recently. Guaranteed they’ll look great on your
back bar.
- Del Dueño Jereito Añejo
— This new top-shelf contender from Del Dueño is an
estate-bottled, 100% agave añejo tequila finished in sherry
pipes. The influence of the sherry is immediately apparent in
every facet of its character.
- El Tesoro Paradiso
— A standard bearer among artisan tequilas, El Tesoro Paradiso
is a handcrafted blend of 5-year-old añejos further aged
in A. de Fussigny Cognac casks. It strikes a balance between the
elegance of cognac and the sultry character of tequila.
- Grand Marnier Navan
— Introduced last fall, Grand Marnier Navan marries fine
aged cognac with natural black vanilla from Madagascar. The dry,
brilliantly flavored liqueur works flawlessly on many levels.
- Magellan Gin
— Created by spirits guru Michel Roux, Magellan Gin is made
in small batches in France from triple-distilled neutral spirits,
spring water and a botanical mix that includes deep-blue Iris
petals. The finished gin sports an alluring, light blue tint.
It is a veritable feast for the senses.
- Scorpion Mezcal
— Don’t let the scorpion inside the bottle dissuade
you from enjoying this triple-distilled, 100% agave mezcal. The
three-year-old añejo is especially elegant.
- Shaker's Rose Vodka
— The ultra-premium range of Shaker’s Vodkas from took
another huge step with the successful launch of Shaker’s
Rose, a 100% wheat vodka infused with elixir of rose and over
a dozen natural flavors, including honey, vanilla and citrus.
No other brand compares.
- Ypióca Cachaca
— The next category poised to potentially get hot is cachaça,
a Brazilian spirit distilled from sugar cane. If true, one brand
to watch is Ypióca (Ee-pee-oh´-kah) Cachaça.
Ypióca Oro is aged in rain forest wood for 3-years. While
an exuberant spirit, full of assertive flavors and character,
it has a satiny finish.
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