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Tommy Guns Vodka From Chicago

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By Michael Hepworth

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.

Both bottles take the shape of the original Thompson Tommy Gun, and a real collector’s item. The company (Roaring 20’s) makes no qualms about pushing Capone and his cohorts like Frank “The Enforcer” Nitti and “Machine Gun” Jack McGurn in the marketing and promotion, and has even named Martini’s after them. Yes Capone was a thug and a gangster, but for thirteen years he gave the people the booze they craved for, and his patrons would have loved this liquid creation.

The Vodka is rye based, and is actually imported from a small distillery in Poland where it is distilled four times and it is very easy on the palate. The vodka is now available on Army and Air Force bases, and seems an appropriate choice for military types who no doubt get a real buzz from the bottle design.

The overall impression is of vodka that is very smooth and cool, and one that is also perfect for such drinks as a Vodka Tonic and especially the Bloody Mary with lots of Lea and Perrin’s sauce.

The tequila is also very good and is 100% Agave Reposado and is imported directly from Jalisco. Coming in a bright red bottle this is a brand new venture, and although the bottle shape may be politically incorrect given what is happening in Mexico right now, the drink itself is terrific.

Tommyguns vodka and tequila is primarily available in Chicago and throughout Illinois, as well as 13 other states. Best option however is probably purchasing online through a distributor. A normal bottle of the vodka for example will be about $25 and $50 if you prefer the Machine Gun version. Trust me, your friends will be impressed.

The “Scarface” Al Capone Martini 
 1 1/2 oz. Roaring 20ʼs Tommy Guns® Vodka
 1/2 oz. Chilled Espresso
 1/2 oz. Remy Martin XO
 1/2 oz. Kaluha

www.tommygunsspirits.com
By Michael Hepworth

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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.

The idea for the drink was instigated in 2015 by John Bernbach who asked for the help of industry veteran Francisco Tonarely to investigate the potential of a cognac/brandy drink blended with coffee. Three year later in August 2018 Grand Brulot was launched. This cognac comes from the Tardy Cognac Group and the grapes come from its single estate. Grand Brulot also plays homage to a New Orleans specialty of the same name that is still served around town.  The name Grand Brulot was inspired by the famous French pirate Jean Lafite who helped New Orleans repel the British invaders in 1812. He would order coffee, pour cognac in the saucer, set it alight and mix it with the coffee.
Recipes:

THE RISE AND SHINE
2 oz Grand Brulot
Orange Twist

Just pour Grand Brulot over ice and the orange will highlight the flavors
of the spirit.

BRULOT BLACK MANHATTAN
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Orange Bitters

Bartender Todd Smith created this one. Stir all the ingredients together in
a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice and garnish

with orange wheel.

FRENCH NEGRONI
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz  Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari

Build in a rocks glass over ice and garnish w/orange wheel.

GRAND BRULOT CAFÉ HOLIDAY
1 oz Grand Brulot
0.5 oz Crème de Cacao
3 oz Porter Beer or Stout
3 dashes of bitters

Throw cocktail ingredients between two cups a couple of times to mix
And ignite the foam from the beer. Pour into a highball glass over ice
And garnish with nutmeg.



www.grandbrulot.com
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