2008 Spirit Releases

El Don de la Familia Plata
___________________________

Tequila; Mexico $52
www.eldontequila.com

With a name evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s epic movie, The Godfather, El Padrino Spirits is aiming for respect with its ultra-premium tequila, El Don de la Familia. The company claims that it has reduced El Don’s methanol content, minimizing hangover after-effects and resulting in a smoother mouthfeel. To achieve lower methanol levels, the spirit makers steam the blue agave plants, which allow for the extraction of juice, instead of the more traditional method of crushing the plants. The resulting plata-styled tequila exhibits a crystal-like color and is meant to be served neat in a snifter glass. El Don plans to produce reposado and añejo styles as well. Each bottle of this spirit from across the border is hand-dipped in a special sealing wax and hand-numbered.

1.0.1. Ultra Premium Iced Vodka
___________________________

Vodka; California $22
www.beareagle.com

Bear & Eagle Products, the only producer of vodka in Southern California, began in 1995 by producing Arak Keshmesh, a traditional raisin brandy from Iran. With Arak’s growing popularity, the company started offering other middle eastern spirits as well as vodka. Their 1.0.1. Ultra Premium Iced Vodka, which they launched in 2006, is now one of Bear & Eagle’s most prominent drinks. To create their beverage, they use purified water and 100 percent grain. The vodka undergoes five distillations before being sent through three different one-micron-rated filters to remove remaining sediment and minerals. With the removal of nearly all impurities, the crisp, 80-proof distillation reveals a clean finish and features a light scent without the strong tinge of alcohol.

The Macallan Single Malt
Scotch Whisky
___________________________

Scotch Whisky; Scotland
$130 Sherry Oak 18 Years Old
$80 Fine Oak 15 Years Old
www.themacallan.com

Proud of the local tradition for single malt Whisky making, The Macallan in Scotland uses local barley and spring-drawn water to produce their spirits, which all undergo a double distillation. Only sixteen percent of their second distillation is put into casks, with the rest of the liquid joining the next batch of the first distillation in their ten “curiously small” spirit stills. The 86-proof Sherry Oak 18 Years Old is matured for eighteen years in selected Sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain, and displays a nose of dried fruits, ginger and cinnamon. On the palate, this amber-hued spirit exhibits flavors of clove, oranges and wood smoke, leading to a finish that includes sweet toffee. The Fine Oak 15 Years Old, also 86-proof, exudes scents of roses and cinnamon, and provides flavors of rich chocolate with notes of oranges and raisins.

Liquore Limoncello Limoncé
___________________________

Limoncello; Italy $21
limonce.us

Limoncello, glowing bright gold like the Italian sunshine, is a traditional lemon liqueur from southern Italy. Though the neon yellow beverage’s origins are lost in the haze of time, limoncello has long been associated with Italy’s Amalfi coast. Stock S.P.A., Liquore Limoncello Limoncé’s producer in Italy, makes the citrus-flavored spirit in Trieste, one of the country’s many charming port cities. Stock’s recipe follows the traditional method, by letting sun-ripened lemon rinds macerate for several months in a mix of alcohol and sugar. Limoncé features light textures and a zesty balance between tangy and sweet lemon flavors. This 60-proof drink, usually served ice cold, does not require mixing or shaking before being poured. The clean, lemon flavor makes Limoncé a refreshing palate cleanser between meal courses, and is a good companion with summertime picnic fare.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon
___________________________

Bourbon; Kentucky $40
www.woodfordreserve.com

Nothing evokes the thought of Kentucky more than premium spirits or the spectacle of Thoroughbred horses cleaving through soft dirt in a fierce race to the finish line. Woodford Reserve Bourbon blends both passions in its recently released bottle for this year’s 134th Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky. As a special treat, the bottle commemorates the 35th anniversary of the record set by Secretariat, the red colt that won the 99th Kentucky Derby with a time of 1:59 2/5, a record that still stands today. The bottle features a boldly colored image of Secretariat created by sports artist LeRoy Neiman. Woodford Reserve has been crafted since 1812 at the Woodford Reserve Distillery, which is in the heart of Thoroughbred country. This amber-hued, 90-proof distillation features flavors of creamy vanilla as well as sweet caramel, and has been the official bourbon for the Kentucky Derby for the last ten years.

Michael Collins Irish Whiskey
___________________________

Irish Whiskey; Ireland
$26 Blend, $38 Single Malt
www.michaelcollinswhiskey.com

Garnering a larger-than-life reputation for his rebellious activities, Michael Collins is famous in Ireland for his efforts in leading Ireland to independence. Collins, also known as “The Big Fellow,” died in the early twentieth century, but his name lives on in the form of the ultra-premium Michael Collins Irish Whiskey. This 80-proof beverage is available either as a blend or single malt. The whiskey blend is a mix of double-distilled malt and grain Irish whiskeys that have been aged four to twelve years in small bourbon-seasoned barrels. The resulting amber-hued spirit features vanilla, citrus and malt aromas; creamy and sweet flavors of honey and orange rind; and a warm, spicy oak finish. The single malt, in comparison, is heavier and less spicy than the blend, and is infused with smoky, chocolatey malt flavors.

Liquidity Pinky Vodka
___________________________

Vodka; Sweden $32
www.pinkyvodka.com

No need to adjust your computer screen, this vodka really is pink. The aptly-named Pinky Vodka, imported from Sweden by Liquidity, is the result of a group of champion wine tasters infusing their love of wine into the creation of spirits. They created this 80-proof beverage with a blend of twelve botanicals, pure glacial water and Swedish winter wheat. Pinky Vodka, which is distilled five times, exudes a strong floral nose from the drink's rich complement of esters, the chemical compound that gives fruits their pleasant aromas. Complex flavors are dominated by notes of violets, rose petals and wild strawberries, and lead to a distinctly floral finish as well as its namesake hue. Enjoy this vodka by itself, or use it to add color to a martini.

Averna Sambuca
___________________________

Sambuca; Italy $28 each
www.averna.it

Averna, adding new spice to their 140-year-old business, recently introduced three Sambucas to its lineup of products. Sambuca originated in 18th-century Italy, where peasants drank anise-flavored water because anise helped quench thirst. Averna Sambuca 100% Anice stellato, a fragrant and full-bodied elderberry liqueur, imbues a strong fresh taste of star anise and other spices. Averna’s Sambuca alla Liquirizia takes a different approach from the traditional beverage, featuring a stronger licorice flavor. Sicilian licorice roots are much sweeter than table sugar, making this a good addition to coffee. Averna is also introducing Sambuca agli Agrumi, a citrus fruit-infused version. Each of the Sambucas is 84-proof.

While the Rarest Vintage Reserve is the first new product from Jameson Irish Whiskey in four years, it celebrates the oldest of the company’s whiskeys. The four Jameson Irish Whiskey Masters collaborated closely to make this limited release. This whiskey blends Jameson’s muscular and aged grain whiskeys with a rare pot still whiskey aged in specially selected port casks. The mixture is triple distilled and bottled without chill filtration. Aromas of sweet and ripe fruit, such as bananas and dark fleshy plums are followed by hints of molasses, cinnamon and licorice. Deep flavors give way to tones of toasted wood and dark chocolate, with a long finish that ranges from sweet to tangy.