SPIRITS

Monkey Gin Making a Splash!

Monkey 47 gin is a unique and complex gin that has gained a reputation as one of the best gins on the market. Produced in the Black Forest region of Germany, this gin is made using 47 different botanicals, which gives it a distinct and unparalleled flavor profile.

The gin is distilled in small batches using a traditional copper pot still. The gin is then aged for several months in earthenware vessels, which gives it a smooth and rounded finish. The final product is a gin that is both complex and balanced More>>>

Gray Whale Gin and their love for the Pacific Ocean

Gray Whale is a premium California gin that is based only on only six botanicals—less than a lot of gins on the market and their progress in a short six years has been substantial. The smartly packaged gin is now number five on the market in the premium gin division, and the smooth taste coming out of their distillery in Sonoma, California is a product of hard work and foresight.

Even better, they give 1% of their gross receipts to Marine Biology research, focusing on legislation to remove the pervasive netting that happens on the USA coastlines affecting whales who get caught up in it. Since gin is all about the botanicals, we have to start with the juniper berries that can be found on trees in the Big Sur area of the rugged California coast line. More>>>

An Introduction to Grand Brulot
A classic blend of Cognac and Ecuadorian coffee

What exactly is GRAND BRULOT I thought to myself as I opened the bottle for the first time just around the time this lockdown took effect. Well, Grand Brulot is listed as a VSOP Cognac Café and it can be used in Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis, spritzes and sidecars , just for starters. It is a blend of Ugni Blanc & Colombard that is crafted into 80 proof VSOP. Then 100% Robusta Ecuadorian coffee bean essence is extracted and blended with brandy to meld for a few months and finally, it is blended with the VSOP Cognac. There is also a whiff of peppermint, nutmeg and hot cocoa in the drink. The retail price is $42.99.

Chilean Wines on the Rise

The perception of Chilean wines is that they are of the cheap and cheerful variety, so Chilean winemakers have been struggling with that image for at least 25 years. However that might be a situation gradually changing, and a lunch time meeting with winemaker Rodrigo Soto at AOC restaurant in West Hollywood recently gave me an insight into the future.

Soto actually spent some time in New Zealand learning his craft at the 1999 harvest at Wither Hills in Marlborough. He then moved on to California working with Ceago Vinegarden. More>>>

Gran Centenario's Search for Angels

On Monday May 4th, 2015 Gran Centenario, a tequila rich in history and Mexican heritage launched their Angels In Training program at Blue Plate Taco in Santa Monica. In the late afternoon, model angels gathered outside the patio of Blue Plate Taco for their eye catching announcement of their search to honor selfless Latinos within Los Angeles. At 5:30 pm, a golden angel came to life and blew her horn to summon an array of beautiful white angels, who handed out replicas of Mexico’s 1921 Centenario Gold Bullion Coin and shared details of the search for these Angels In Training with attendants and passersby.

On Cinco De Mayo, these angels will disperse into neighborhoods throughout “the City of More>>>

Lillet Debuts Its 2010 Reserve De Jean Lillet at Ace Hotel

Maison Lillet recently launched its Jean de Lillet 2010 Reserve at a trendy Invitation only at the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles and Metropolitan Report was there to check it out. Brand ambassador Claire Needham was on hand mixing up the cocktails as a band were playing Hot Club De Paris music-Django Reinhart style to the fifty or so guests in attendance at the rooftop bar. More>>>

Tequila Herradura Unveils Limited Edition Coleccion De La Casa

Metropolitan Report had feet on the ground in Mexico to be one of the first to taste the latest release from Tequila giant, Herradura. The tasting of the Coleccion De La Casa with a Scotch cask finish was held in the distillery’s Executive Tasting Room along with six other prominent spirit writers and the company’s Master Distiller, Teresa Lara and Master Taster, Ruben Aceve. More>>>

Moonshine Hits the Mainstream

Moonshine has now been legal for about 4 ½ years and of the handful of companies selling it right now, Ole Smoky out of Gatlinburg, Tennessee seems to have the upper hand. About 750,000 cases are now being shipped annually in the USA, and the international market is about to open up as the perception of what moonshine is, becomes clearer. To simplify, it is essentially unaged whisky with the prime ingredient being Tennessee corn and the higher quality Indiana corn. The new deal with Southern Wine & Spirits takes their product into eleven new states which according to CEO John Cochran took about four months of intense negotiations to secure—California being the biggest market for Moonshine. More>>>

Bombay Sapphire Returns Historic Laverstoke Mill to Its Former Glory

Bombay Sapphire®, the world’s number one premium gin by value and the fastest-growing premium gin, has announced the doors to Laverstoke Mill – its gin distillery, visitor experience and brand home will open to the public on October 1, 2014.

With less than two weeks to the historic grand opening, celebrations started early yesterday with more than 200 invite-only guests experiencing an exclusive first showing of the renovated site and a spectacular unveiling of the unique glasshouses where the 10 botanicals – juniper, lemon peel, grains of paradise, coriander, cubeb berries, orris root, almonds, cassia bark, liquorice, angelica – chosen for the unique taste of Bombay Sapphire are grown on display.

The newly restored site provides an opportunity for the public to explore Laverstoke Mill as a state-of-the-art gin distillery and world-class visitor experience that marries the site’s history and beauty with the highest standards in design, functionality and sustainability. More>>>

Grey Goose Launches New VX Product

September sees the release of the latest product in the Grey Goose empire—VX Grey Goose, a combination of their brand leader vodka and cognac. A soft launch of private tastings in select cities saw Metropolitan Report treading the boards in West Hollywood this week for a very select gathering that included two of their brand ambassadors, bar owner David Kaplan and roving ambassador Guillaume Jobien.

The potent combination will be priced at $74.99 and it comes in a beautiful opaque style glass bottle that is sure to impress any of your house guests. More>>>

Caorunn - A Truly Scottish Gin

Caorunn is a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 11 botanicals, including five Celtic botanicals which are referenced in the five points of their asterisk logo. This unique spirit draws on the heritage, craft and expertise of the Celtic people to harness Scotland’s unique natural resources and age-old botanicals. It is a handcrafted Scottish Gin with strong tradition from a bygone era offering a naturally balanced, pure drink, grounded in place, time and culture.

Caorunn is distilled at Balmenach Distillery, which traces its roots back to 1824, makes it one of the oldest distilleries in the Speyside region of the Scottish Highlands. The pure grain spirit is vaporised through our Unique Copper Berry Chamber that was made in the 1920’s, when gin was produced with a slow process to enable enough time to infuse the subtle flavour of the botanicals. More>>>

Tequila-Riazul Anejo and Arta Stand Out

This seems to be the year of the higher end Tequila, and no wonder, anyone with half a brain is quickly tiring of the handful of well-known brands you see on the supermarket shelves. Sales of premium tequila have risen by about 16% this year and Riazul Anejo Tequila gets a strong thumbs up from this writer and at $54.99 is now my tequila of choice. The aging period of two years in European Oak barrels formerly used for brandy or cognac, gives it the very smooth taste reminiscent of anise and butterscotch.

The Houston based tequila is only available in a handful of states at the moment, but this is one premium brand well worth tracking down. True there has been a lot of hype especially in Texas through the social media world, but this drink from the Jalisco Highlands lives up to it.More>>

Santana, Tequila and Philanthropy—These are a Few of My Favorite Things

Named No. 15 on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” winner of 10 Grammy awards, recipient of the 2009 Billboard Latin Music Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoree, Carlos Santana is most certainly music royalty.

Fresh off of receiving his Kennedy Center Honors Award in December, Santana took the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime event performing at Arena VFG in Guadalajara, Mexico, joined by some of Latin music’s biggest and brightest stars including Gloria Estefan, Lila Downs, Juanes, Miguel, Niña Pastori, Romeo Santos and Diego Torres amongst others. He performed songs from his forthcoming studio album CORAZÓN to a sold-out house. The Television special "Corazón, Live from Mexico, Live It to Believe It" was filmed for a premiere on HBO Latino and HBO Latin America and will air in spring 2014. More>>>

Purity Vodka Launched at Four Seasons, Beverly Hills

Purity Vodka was recently introduced to the market at the lovely Four Seasons, Beverly Hills. An intimate and exclusive crowd was invited to sample the unique cocktail delights of this new Swedish, purely organic vodka. Guests of the Purity Vodka company and owner and master blender Thomas Kuuttanen, were treated to an elegant fete and a delicious sushi dinner buffet, all accompanied by an array of specialty Purity Vodka cocktails.

This unique Swedish vodka is distilled 34 times, which by far outweighs the competition that distills only three or four times. The results are remarkable and are articulated in the taste and smoothness of this organic spirit.

Known for his engaging and sarcastic humor on Talk Soup, the television show Community and his prestigious comedic hosting of the White House Correspondence Dinner, event host Joel McHale kept the crowd engaged and entertained. More >>>

Tap Rye Port Finished Canadian Whisky

Produced in the oldest distillery in western Canada, Tap Rye Port Finished Canadian Whisky is a limited edition line extension to the TAP 357 Brand. It is aged is a combination of hand-selected barrels and port casks and prior to cold filtration, there is a small amount of port added to give it that special ultra-smooth finish. Distilled multiple times using the time-honored tradition of a pot still, the result is a complex aged rye whisky with nuances of wood, spice, nutmeg and cinnamon that is sure to satisfy and an interesting detour for the whisky enthusiast. More >>>

Two E's Summer Cocktail and Tapas Menu Shines

Two E, named for the bar’s address at 2 East 61st Street, is a stylish art deco cocktail and tapas lounge at The Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue. I headed over to explore the exciting summer drink menu and sample some of the gourmet bites coming forth from the kitchen. On both fronts—success! These can be enjoyed alongside some savory and truly delicious ‘small plates’ including Duck Confit Pot Stickers (oyster sauce, ginger & scallions, soy dipping & ripe chili sauce), Vietnamese Style Crab Paper Roll (Peekytoe crabmeat, cucumber, lettuce, sweet basil & mint, chili lime dressing mango salad) and the Chicken Samosas (spiced chicken mince, cumin scented pastry, mint & tamarind chutneys)—an asian influenced culinary extravaganza!

I would highly recommend heading over on a Tuesday to take advantage of the no-cover jazz series. Elegant, delicious and just plain fun! More>>>

Bermudez Aniversario 1852

The origin of the Ron Bermúdez distillery dates back to 1852, when Don Erasmo Bermúdez created the formula for Amargo Panacea — a molasses-based rum intended to be served as an aperitif. Its overwhelming success established the producer as a leader in the Dominican rum category and the rest is history.

Bottled to commemorate the genesis of the king of the Domican rum market, Bermudez 1852 Anniversario is aged 12 years and is clearly the crown jewel in this More>>>

Whisler’s in East Austin Opens New Mezcal Bar

Whisler’s, the acclaimed bar in East Austin, recently opened Mezcalería Tobalá, a Mezcal-centric bar. The new addition is located upstairs with a view into the main bar below in a refurbished storage space; it will be open Thursday through Saturday evenings starting at 9pm.

Mezcaleria Tobalá features an array of mezcales served in a traditional veladora (votive) glass or clay copitas. Mezcal is distilled from the commonly cultivated More>>>

Pisco Porton Dinner at Chelsea's Raymi

On Wednesday, May 14th Raymi's Chef Eric Ramirez and Portón Master Distiller, Johnny Schuler delivered the ultimate pairing—their combined talents in the kitchen and the distillery for what was a remarkable culinary journey that was highlighted by quite simply the best pisco available on the market today. More>>>

Enjoy National Aperitif Day with Cocktails by Our Friends at Lillet

The Art of the Aperitif’ is effortless, elegant and easy. All you need is a bottle of Lillet, some ice and perhaps a few accompanying ingredients to create delicious Lillet cocktails. Whether it’s serving Lillet Blanc, Rouge or Rosé as your aperitif of choice – it’s best on ice, with a slice of orange or grapefruit. On May 15th, Maison Lillet is calling on all aperitif aficionados, as well as newcomers around the country, to take part in the custom and the spirit of the traditional French aperitif hour. So grab a few friends, a bottle of Lillet and let the fun begin!
More>>>

Dive into Summer with these Delicious Courvoisier Cocktails

The team at Metropolitan Report greatly enjoyed our Happy Hour experimenting with these delicious and refreshing recipes from Courvoisier. These are made with fresh pressed juices and herbs that will help you celebrate the coming heat and keep you cool once the summer hits—not to mention, wow those guests at your next rooftop or backyard soiree.

An Afternoon in France
The summer citrus punch gets sweet with a dash of honey.
More>>>

Damoiseau Rum from the Island of Guadeloupe

Damoiseau Rum comes from the Island of Guadeloupe and recently I had the chance to try both the Virgin Cane and the VSOP aged Rum. This French island is not normally known for rum, and the Virgin Cane version is produced from fresh pressed sugarcane juice which is only distilled once to capture the natural flavors and aromas of the region. Those aromas include meringue, toasty nut brittle, cane, pineapple cake and marinated sweet potato.

I enjoyed these spirits in what has been a bit of a rum renaissance for me lately—purely by chance and not design. Currently I believe these rums are available in the following states-NY, NJ, CT, MA, DC and FL, although by the rime you read this possibly in a few more. More>>>

Cocktails for the Kentucky Derby

Blackberry Mint Julep Margarita

2 parts Milagro Anejo

1 part Lime Juice

1 part Honey Syrup

More>>>

Wrath Wines and Ancient Italy

The Wrath Winery is located in North Monterey County in the area of the Santa LuciaHighlands, or to be more specific in Soledad. Wrath is a relative new company only created in 2007 by winemaker Michael Thomas who took over the San Saba Vineyard from his stepfather. This archeologist and art historian has produced some very nice wines in a price range of $19-$49 which include chardonnay, pinot noir and syrah. Incidentally the name Wrath originates from a Led Zeppelin tune, and I More>>>

Villa Massa - A Tradition of Excellence

Villa Massa is a truly outstanding limoncello that is made using only lemons grown in one of the municipalities of the Sorrento peninsula and on island of Capri. This makes Villa Massa one of the very few limoncello’s that have the P.G.I. mark— PGI recognition (Protected Geographical Indication) is attributed to agricultural and food products to safeguard the quality, reputation, recipe or characteristics of a specific geographical region and acts as proof of authenticity that a product receives when the ingredients are only from a certain area. More>>>

Davio's Manhattan - St. Patty’s Day Cocktails

This St. Patrick's Day ditch the green beer and shots of Jameson for a refreshing (and Irish) take on mulled wine with the Spíosra na Éireann at Davio's Manhattan! Created by Sommelier Chris Sweet at Davio's Manhattan this new cocktail is inspired by Saint Patrick's devotion to the embracing the Irish Cultureand Saint Patrick himself. See below for more information on the cocktail and how to recreate it yourself – it's 3 easy steps! More >>>

Milagro Tequila - St. Patty’s Day Cocktails

St. Patrick’s Day cocktail coverage as Milagro Tequila has a festive green Bloody Maria, perfect as a brunch cocktail and for those looking for an alternative to Irish whiskey. The Bloody Maria is light, crisp and refreshing, combining Milagro Silver with tomatillo, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeno and minced garlic. More>>>

TGI Fridays - St. Patty’s Day Cocktails

TGI Fridays is offering across the country, as well as some fun recipes people can play with at home to construct their own St. Patty’s libations. Fridays will be featuring Green Beer and Irish ‘Ritas in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. To keep the party going, in a month-long celebration of Fat Tuesday, Fridays will offer appetizer and drink specials including $5 SoCo Hurricane drinks and $5 Jack Daniels cocktails and appetizers everyTuesday for the rest of March. More>>>

Dickel White No. 1 Corn Whiskey

Distilling whisky since 1870, Tennessee-based George Dickel recently added the latest addition to its portfolio—Dickel White No. 1 Corn Whiskey. This unaged white corn whisky is handmade from only the finest grains and legendary Cascade Spring water. It is then finished through George Dickel’s signature Chill Charcoal Mellowing process.

No. 1 is a 91-proof (45.5 % ABV) whisky with a clear appearance and aroma that is soft and abundant with raw grain which mellows into a creamy smooth moonshine type of More>>>

Peligroso Cinnamon Tequila

Peligroso's newest tequila is their first step into adding flavor to their 100% Weber blue agave product line. This one is made with natural cinnamon extracts and delivers a sweet kick in the finish. Grown on a private estate in the highlands of Jalisco Mexico, every bottle is hand made, certified and numbered. This is truly a distinct flavor profile with spicy aromas and a quite addictive quality. Who would of thought to put these two items together? All that matters is the results--and they are pure genius. At 84 proof and infused with 100% natural cinnamon extract without any artificial color or fragrance, every batch of Peligroso Cinnamon is taste tested and approved by their chief taste masters. An absolute must try! More>>>

Angel's Envy Bourbon

Designed by veteran master distiller Lincoln Henderson, the former Brown Forman master distiller and creator of Woodford Reserve, this is one spectacular product! The effect of the port barrel finish is evident and the complexity of flavors is perfectly balanced.

Aged up to 6 years in charred white oak barrels and finished in 60 gallon Ruby Port barrels shipped directly from Portugal, Angel’s Envy is then finished for 3-6 months.

A spectacularly designed bottle should only hold a product that is of equal measure and Angel's Envy does not fall short. Richly textured, silky, and well-rounded, with ripe berries, tangerine, toffee, maple... more

What’s Your Idea of the Perfect Margarita?

With so many choices offered from salt or no salt, to what flavor, our friends at Milagro Tequila were in search of which elements are favorites for consumers and conducted a survey to find those results..

The stand out statistic from the survey confirmed that 91% of people prefer margaritas fresh over those made with a pre-packaged mix. If you fall in this category, Milagro’s The Freshest Margarita is perfect for you. Milagro’s classic recipe combines 2 parts Milagro Silver Tequila, ¾ part agave nectar and 1 part fresh lime juice, and is best drank out of a rocks glass, which 1/3 of respondents prefer drinking out of over a big margarita glass.

The survey also revealed that nearly 2/3 of people prefer salt on the rim and 70% of respondents prefer drinking from the rim rather than through a straw. While more than half of respondents take their margaritas blended, the majority of people like original flavor rather than margaritas enhanced with extra fruit. A mere 40% like having extra tequila shot mixed in their margarita and exactly 2/3 of respondents prefer More>>>

The Story Behind RE:FIND Gin and Vodka

The Refind Distillery that produces Refind Gin and Vodka is located in Paso Robles, California, an area much better known for its wine. Proprietor Alex Villicana has been producing wines for twenty years, but now his focus is on spirits. The vodka retails for $35 and has a premium base of ripe, red wine grapes which makes it special, due to the compound glycerol which is produced during the fermentation of red wine grapes.

Alex is also is keen on infusing his vodka with organic delights such as ripe cucumbers, a result of the enthusiasm he has for his latest passion. Technically it is a neutral brandy, but for marketing purposes it also passes as a vodka. It has a long, spicy finish and hints of blueberries and vanilla. More>>>

Lotus White Vodka Hits The Market

With about three new Vodka brands launched every day, it has now become our mission to try and inform our readers of those brands we think deserve more attention. White Lotus Vodka falls into that category, and this brand new entrant into the very crowded and competitive market place looks like a winner to this writer. Unfortunately, the vodka is only currently available in California, and another refreshing trend is that they are not relying in celebrity tie-ins to promote the drink. The San Francisco based company has employed the talents of some of the top mixologists in the city to come More>>>

Rangpur Gin - Latest From Tanqueray

Rangpur, the latest gin from Tanqueray is distilled with rare Rangpur limes for a gin taste more subtle than the usual variety. Expect an aggressive advertising campaign featuring the rather smarmy English bon vivant Tony Sinclair, which is appropriate considering that the English learned to smooth the edges of their gin with a squeeze of fresh Rangpur lime during their time colonizing India. The limes are native to India and resemble a tangerine in color, shape and size, but characterized by the juiciness of an orange with a zestiness of the lime.

It is a pretty smooth gin that is also enhanced by the addition of juniper,coriander,bay leaf and ginger in the distilling process, and only the freshest of juniper berries are selected by More>>>

Jose Cuervo Launches Family Secrets Platino Tequila

The already crowded shelves stocking super premium tequila will have to make way for a new interloper with massive brand recognition and the marketing clout to match. Jose Cuervo has just launched their Platino label this past September. The new sixty dollar 750 milliliter bottle contains is a rich silver tequila that up to now was reserved for the Cuervo family’s private enjoyment. The hand numbered bottle all done individually comes with hand dipped wax seals, and is presented in a classy looking blue wooden box, which seems a shame to open. But you will have to try the drink, which is also very good on the rocks with lime, as a margarita or in other tequila-based cocktails. More>>>

Right Gin Set To Launch in L.A.

Right Gin is a relatively high end drink imported from Sweden that is now set to launch in Los Angeles and Miami this month. Priced at $40 a bottle, the drink was created by W.L.Lyons Brown, a descendant of the family that owns Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort. The brand launched in 2007 big time at the Gwen Stefani concert after party in Las Vegas, and is being clearly marketed at the under-30 crowd, not a group that you can really associate with Gin. Gin has always had that old timer stigma partly because of the association of the drink with people like the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret who both used to like to down a few, but after a hard day at the office or elsewhere there is nothing quite like a good old gin and tonic. More>>>

Karlssons Gold Vodka from Sweden

In the never ending quest to find new Vodka’s to try, I was lucky to come across Karlssons Vodka from Sweden , and although the price of $40 might turn a few people off, it warrants checking out. The vodka has a smooth peppery taste, and is of obvious quality, and one that I think is a must try despite the lofty price to the average consumer. Karlssons Gold is made from virgin potato, and the taste indicates a touch of More>>>

Johnnie Walker Unveils New Ultra Deluxe Whisky

Encouraged by the world wide success of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Whisky that has become the whisky of choice for the corporate gift set; the company has just announced the launch of Johnnie Walker Blue Label King George V Edition. The blend celebrates the coveted Royal Warrant that was issued to the company in 1934, which also happened to be during the reign of King George V (1910-1936). Royal Warrants are not handed out to just anybody, and even today, a company that has the warrant can expect to have a major increase in sales due More>>>

Snow Queen Vodka Arrives In Atlantic

A highly touted Vodka from Kazakhstan which is distilled five times has arrived to the States. Snow Queen Vodka was recently awarded the Top Vodka medal at the recent 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country by land area in the world, and the sixth largest producer of grain.

Snow Queen uses organic wheat and artisan spring water, and employs a five time distillation process using Kazakh birch charcoal. No flavoring is used in this Vodka, because Vodka is drunk neat all over Kazakhstan . In fact, this Vodka is so classy that it has its own ice bucket to keep it ice cold. In the refining process, all water impurities like calcium and magnesium salts are removed, followed by a reverse sand filtering process ending up with a smooth clear water-base. More>>>

Asombroso Pushes The Edge In Tequila

If the design of the Tequila bottle was a major factor in winning gold medals at Tequila events, then Asombroso would be one of the top contenders every time. Luckily the tequila itself is very worthy, and for the second year in a row, the judges from the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition have singled out Asombroso. The 11 year old Anejo this year won the “Top Tequila” award, and the Rick Gamarra created brand has had the experts enthused. Naturally the celebrities were quick to jump on the Asombroso bandwagon, with the likes of P.Diddy, Sugar Ray and Paris Hilton all cavorting at Hollywood insider parties, and the trendy drink has also made appearances in the movie “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,. and trendsetting HBO show Entourage. More>>>

Square One Vodka

Here is a new product from Square One Vodka in Novato , California , that has pure Organic Vodka and Cucumber infused Organic Vodka. Even though the vodka market is saturated by new products, there is a touch of originality about this entrant, and it may stand a chance to make an impact of sorts. I expect that creative mixologists will have a lot of fun with this one, and we can absolutely advise readers to try Square One for themselves. The cucumber innovation is a recent one, and it is quite a surprise that it took so long for a vodka with cucumber to hit the market. Allison Evanow, a former Jose Cuervo executive and the brains behind Square One had quite a tough time More>>>

V.S.O.P. Remy Martin

Cognac drinkers in the USA are in for a treat with the launch of the 1989 vintage in September at the RRP of $300 per bottle. I tasted a sample recently of this very potent vintage blend, with a hint of figs and other fruits. At 45% alcohol by volume, you will love this superb Remy Martin Cognac , either neat or on ice. Suggested foods to enjoy with this treat are canapés and tapas, or creamy desserts such as buttermilk or Panna Cotta. For those on a tighter budget, V.S.O.P. Remy Martin has come out with a limited edition bottle created by photographer David LaChapelle to reinterpret the famous green-frosted bottle. Only 150,000 of these bottles have been produced with the top selling Cognac in More>>>

Puriste Vodka From Austria About To Launch In USA

This is a Vodka that hails from Austria, and at press time it had not even hit the shelves in the USA. It should start showing up around January 2009 in the hippest and trendiest of bars and restaurants, where even jaded bartenders and mixologists who have seen and tasted everything are likely to be impressed.

Our prediction however is that it will be a smash hit, as it is so smooth, and that comes partly from the six times distillation process. The water in the Austrian Alps has to be one of the reasons this Vodka is outstanding, and that combined with the finest quality wheat, low sugar level and slight increase of alcohol content is the key. More>>>

Whitley Neill London Dry Gin

The word is out on Whitley Neill London dry Gin, and as soon as I heard about it I had to get my hands on a bottle. I was not disappointed, as this is a top class sipping gin that includes two African botanicals that gives it its vibrancy. There are 7 other botanicals used in the process to a lesser extent, the most prominent being coriander seeds and juniper berry. The smooth taste lingers in the mouth quite a while, and the tastes include citrus, exotic spices, herbs, cocoa and candied lemon peels.

The distillery is located in Warrington in England, a Northern Industrial town More>>>

Tommy Guns Vodka From Chicago

This is an unusual idea to write about Vodka and Tequila in the same article, but in the case of Tommy Guns, we are making an exception. If you thought Al Capone was dead then think again, he is alive and well in the spirit of these two drinks out of Chicago emanating from Al Capone’s Hideaway and Steakhouse.

Actually, the home of this unique marketing concept is St. Charles, Illinois, a suburb about 35 miles west of Chicago. The brainchild of entrepreneur Bill Brooks, a graduate of NIU, the concept of Tommy Guns took three years of planning to bring to fruition. Most of that time must have been spent figuring out how to get the bottle which is 19’’ tall manufactured. A glass foundry was found in Italy, and the results are spectacular. More>>>

Oregon Gets Into The Gin Business

The development of small distilleries in Oregon is an interesting trend and we will start with one of the newest called ORGANIC NATION. They started out with organic vodka in 2008, and have recently launched O-N Organic Gin, a surprisingly good organic gin that is made special by having 12 Oregon botanicals giving it a fresh citrus savory taste.

It is one of only 4 organic gins in the world, and just shows that with a bit of planning, hard work and some spare capital, it is possible for the small time operator More>>>

Milagro Tequila

Milagro Tequila has been around since 1977, but now that Scottish distillery William Grant & Sons have muscled in with their distribution know-how, look for Milagro (miracle in Spanish) more and more. Founded by two college students passionate about Tequila, there are now six different versions to choose from, the Super Premium Line and the high end Select Barrel Reserve Silver, Reposado and Anejo.

The Select Barrel Reserve varieties enjoy their lengthy aging and mellowing in French Oak Barrels, equaling the quality of the hand blown glass bottles, countered around the outline of an agave plant.

All Milagro Tequilas are produced in small batches up in the highlands of Jalisco More>>>

Heavy Water Vodka

Heavy Water Vodka, a fairly new contender in the US premium liquor market, has already received five international medals as well as being rated the number one vodka by the New York Post. Its name is derived from the rare isotope D20, which scientists call “heavy water”. For every 6,000 parts of water, there is only one part that is “heavy water”.

Heavy Water Vodka is produced at the Bloomberg estate near the small More>>>

Zacapa Rum

Rum is a great drink that I have kind of re-introduced myself to lately, and one of the reasons is the increased exposure of Zacapa Rum from Guatemala into the USA market late last year. They have signed a distribution deal with the mighty Diageo, so look for a lot more exposure for this dark and heavy rum. The prime reason that this rum is different and a bit of a standout from the Bacardi’s and Captain Morgan’s of this world is the fact that it does not use molasses in the production, but uses only the first pressing of sugar cane juice, also known as “virgin sugar cane honey.” More>>>

Corzo Tequila

When the bottle arrived eagerly I opened up the package and loved the sleek look of the bottle which has been designed by Fabien Baron. Would the tequila inside be as classy I thought, and I was not disappointed. After a bit of research I discovered that each bottle of Corzo takes 7 ½ years to make, and they also use twice the agave that most tequila brands utilize from the Los Altos region of Jalisco. This comes from the Tequilana Weber plants in the area, and being one mile above sea level, they are sweeter and more succulent than other plants in the immediate area. More>>>

The Joy of Sake

On September 24th, I ventured down to Webster Hall in Greenwich Village to experience The Joy of Sake, an event celebrating the world’s greatest sakes. This function featured all entries from the 2009 U.S. National Sake Appraisal which was held in Honolulu on August 19th. A total of 124 breweries submitted a variety of sakes for this rigorous blind tasting conducted under the auspices of the Japan National Research Institute of Brewing. A team of ten judges, five from Japan and five from the U.S., participated in this years appraisal. The judging method is based on procedures followed at the Japan National Sake More>>>

Kahlua Coffee Cream - Limited Edition

As I type this I am lucky enough to be enjoying a glass of Kahlua Coffee Cream, a new limited edition premium coffee liqueur product that is due to hit shelves in the next few weeks. In my opinion, this will give Bailey’s Irish Cream a run for its money -- and deservedly so. It is the perfect liqueur for the holiday season and in my experience, completely addictive. I am sadly watching my glass get lower as the condensation drips onto my desktop. Thankfully, the 750 ML bottle is far from empty.

Perfect on the rocks, Kahlua Coffee Cream combines natural cream with the bold flavor of Kahlua’s Mexican coffee liqueur. Vanilla and cane rum are key components in creating Kahlua's unique flavor, and the rich cream adds another dimension to the liqueur, enhancing Kahlua's signature notes of vanilla, caramel and hints of dark chocolate. Made from hand picked 100% Arabica beans which are shade-grown in the Vera Cruz region of Mexico, Kahlua More>>>

Kahlua - Not a One Trick Pony

I am gazing at a beautifully aligned row of Kahlua products that I've established as an inspiration for this piece. I ask myself, fairly enough, what do they all have in common? The answer -- the finest Arabica coffee beans available anywhere.

Originating deep in the Yucatan, in the area founded by Conquistador Francisco de Montejo, amidst Mayan realm and mystery, Kahlua’s legend has grown alongside ripening coffee beans in the mountains of Veracruz, since 1962. With a flavor as rich and distinct as this region, Kahlua’s dark liqueur cradles delicate notes of rum, vanilla and caramel, wrapped in roasted coffee flavor from hand-picked Arabica beans. More>>>

Herradura Tequila

Herradura Tequila has been around on the market since 1964, and today the company claims to be the largest holder of barrels in all of Mexico and one of the leading marketers of aged tequilas in the world. The company has five different brands of tequila, ranging from the Herradura Silver (aged for 40 days and perfect for margaritas), up to the Herradura Hacienda del Cristero (pure blanco and exceptionally smooth).

Herradura Reposado (silky and creamy Tequila aged for 10 months) recently won a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco spirits festival, as did the More>>>

Plymouth Gin

Gin is finally making a belated comeback after spending years in the doldrums following the emergence of Vodka as the drink of choice, and the Martini craze has helped fuel the revival. The history of the cocktail dates back to 1896 when gin was used in the original Dry Martini recipe. One particular Gin looking to benefit from this revival is Plymouth Gin from England, that dates back to 1793, and that More>>>

Ciroc Vodka

Ciroc Snap Frost Vodka stands out from the pack in my opinion, and although there are obviously technical reasons for this, it is just the taste that makes it for me. True there are other top notch Vodka’s out there such as Grey Goose and Idol, but Ciroc certainly stands out at a price of $29.99, so I did some of my own research. First launched in 2003 in the USA in Atlanta and Miami , the brand was aimed at a sophisticated urban crowd and the marketing seems to have worked. However, this is one product that matches the hype.

I know that Ciroc is imported from France and is made from Mauzac Blanc and Ugni Blanc grapes, but what is the secret of the sweet, crisp and clean taste, making Ciroc perfect for martinis as well. Most or all vodkas are made from wheat or potatoes , but since More>>>

Espolón Tequila

Espolón, a tequila brand from the Jalisco Highlands, is making waves amongst tequila connoisseurs from New York to California. Packaged with wild, "Dance of the Dead" inspired imagery, these 100% agave tequilas are offered in both blanco and reposado expressions and lay claim to a longer agave roasting process and a longer distilling time than other manufacturers. Both “Gold Medal” and “Best Spirit” award winners, these tequilas are worthy of a try and are sure to become a favorite of the tequila enthusiast, as well as the connoisseur. More>>>

Trago Tequila

I have recently come across a new tequila that is really different and superb that I predict will have people talking about it for some time to come. Trago Tequila is brand new on the market, but already it has made inroads into the competitive world of expensive liquor that seems to be taking over the liquor industry. Distilled initially through copper and then through stainless steel, Trego. Trago means “taste” or “sip” in Spanish, and is distilled at Los Alambiques by Felipe Camarena, son of Don Felipe, widely known as the “Father of Tequila.” Los Alambiques is currently producing 100% Webber blue agave tequila with superb consistency, thanks to the quality of the soil in the “Altos de Jalisco” region of Mexico. More>>>

Chivas Whiskey Launches Their Ultra - Premium Whiskey 25

Premium Whiskies are starting to hit thick and fast in the market, and the latest is Chivas Regal Original 25, created by Master Blender Colin Scott, a thirty year veteran of the industry. Scott was in America recently to launch the brand, and was so passionate about this whiskey, that $299 a bottle seemed a bargain. The launch party in Los Angeles that I attended was far more low key than the one they put on in New York a few days earlier, an event reputedly that cost a small fortune. Diana Krall provided the entertainment, and 400 VIP guests and celebrities were the lucky ones trying this whiskey for the first time. More>>>

Boomerang Vodka Hits the Target

What do kangaroos, Ayers rock and Foster’s beer, and Chris Williams have in common? They are all from Australia of course. Who might you say is Chris Williams? He is from the land “down under” and owner of the Wattle Creek Winery where he has developed a new fresh tasting vodka from a special blend of grapes grown in Sonoma, California Boomerang Vodka is a light clear refreshing vodka distributed through Foster’s Wine Estates. With the boomerang lightly clipping the leaves of a tree whose branches house birds, releasing the birds to fly toward the thrower; drinkers are migrating toward bartenders as they make an apple and pomegranate martinis from Boomerang. Boomerang is good alone with splash of vermouth or mixed with various fruit elixirs for the softer palette. More>>>

A Tale Of Two Vodkas: Level & Absolut 100

Here are two vodkas from the Absolut Family in Sweden that are so different in taste and texture, that it is hard to believe they come from the same family. Absolut started out shipping their Vodka to the United States during the reign of Abba in 1979, and just like the supergroup, they believe in creating new boundaries and taking some risks along the way. They have been in existence since 1879, and are now the world’s third largest Vodka firm. The advertising campaign for LEVEL VODKA indicates something that is smooth, sophisticated and sexy. Level hired the photographer David Brandt for their campaign, and it has proved to be highly effective. In all honesty, the vodka is excellent, and in fact once you have tried it, could very well become your top choice. It is certainly giving some of the other brands in the same price range a real run for their money. A nice sweet taste of citrus comes through after More>>>

Don Tepo Anejo Tequila Making Its Mark

Here is yet another new entrant to the premium Tequila market, and judging by the packaging of Don Tepo they are going for the traditional tequila market. Even the production methods are old school with the agave methodically placed and slow baked in earthen ovens to ensure that the distinct agave flavor is retained. The old school packaging is augmented by the hand blown bottles, and the hand fitted wood corks. Although Don Tepo is only currently available in California and Washington DC, there are plans to launch soon in Nevada, Florida and Texas. They have got off to a good start with the experts with a Double Gold Award for the Anejo at the San Francisco Spirits show in 2008, and more recently a gold for the Anejo and Blanco at the San Diego Spirits of Mexico show. More>>>

Redcliff Liqueur Makes A Stand For The Americans

There is a new liqueur on the block and looking to make a name for itself in the watering holes of America. Redcliff claims to be America’s “first premium liqueur”, and since it is predominately cola based, with a touch of vanilla and about 15 secret spices, that is not an unreasonable claim. Redcliff joins such other national treasures like Baileys Irish Cream (Ireland), Amaretto, Limoncello (Italy), Kahlua (Mexico) and Pimms (England) as the flagship liqueur of a country. It is 65 proof (32.5% Alc/Vol) and is particularly More>>>

Fair Quinoa Vodka Launches New Bottle and Label

Fair Vodka has recently given their look a makeover with a redesigned the bottle and a new label, giving the Vodka a better profile in a better marketplace. With the pace of new launches apparently not slowing down at all, the thinking is to promote Fair as an artisan craft, purity of product and a dedication to sustainability.

To be perfectly honest, the label which was designed in Paris by Piaton et Associates looks fairly plain, but according to Jack Bays who is responsible for the production, sales and marketing of the drink, “The goal of the new More>>>

Jacques Cardin Cognac

H. Mounier joined forces with Sidney Frank, the American marketing and alcohol magnate, H. Mounier joined forces with Sidney Frank, the American marketing and alcohol magnate, to launch Jacques Cardin VSOP cognac to the American market. Jacques Cardin, or JC Cognac, comes in a sexy, angular bottle, custom-made especially for Jacques Cardin. The luxurious bottle is topped with a stunning silver top, richly engraved with “JC”. The back of the bottle sports a rendering of the Fleur de Lys, or “Lily of France,” which represents purity, royalty, and immortality and is visible from the front through the amber hue of the cognac.

Created in Cognac, France, JC is made with a selection of Ugni-Blanc More>>