Blog: Dowd On Drinks

Annual SF medal avalanche on schedule

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:28:57 +0000

Memo to self:

When I start my own distillery, make a point of entering products in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Near guarantee of winning some sort of medal to use in marketing campaign.

The topic of medal awards at wine and spirits competitions has long been a contentious one. One school of thought is that if you don't hand out a lot of medals, you won't get a lot of entries. Another school thinks stricter standards will make the medals that are awarded more prestigious, thus encouraging more participation.

I subscribe to the latter philosophy, which is why Anthony Dias Blue's annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition seems to be on my radar. Not that some of the very top awards aren't worthy of such attention; it's the sheer volume of double gold, gold, silver and bronze medals handed out each year.

At the recent SF event, judges awarded an astounding 131 double golds -- not your usual golds, but double golds, an honor that require unanimous agreement from the judges.

Part of that medal avalanche comes from the fact there are so many categories -- 71 of 'em -- and part from the fact the competition is known for its medal generosity. When you hand out hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of medals, the entry fees alone make for a hefty pot. Add to that the organizer's offer of rolls of award stickers to pop on your bottles -- at $60 per roll of 1,000 -- and the medal flood makes financial sense.

For those of you curious who walked off with the top awards, here is a list of double gold medals by category. You can get all the medal results online.

VODKA

• Best Vodka/Double Gold: Chase Vodka, Herefordshire, England, $40

• Double Gold Medals: V-One Vodka, Poland, $26; Rökk Vodka, Sweden; Ciroc Vodka, France, $32; SF Vodka China Beach Vodka, California, $35; Nemiroff Vodka Lex Ultra, Ukraine; Nemiroff Vodka Delikat, Ukraine

FLAVORED VODKA

• Best Flavored Vodka/Double Gold: Rain Organics Cucumber Lime Vodka, Kentucky, $21

• Double Gold Medal: Finlandia Grapefruit Fusion Vodka, Finland, $19

AQUAVIT

No double golds

GIN

• Best Gin/Double Gold: Beefeater Gin 24, England, $30

• Double Gold Medals: Wembley Gin, Romania; Bluecoat American Dry Gin, Pennsylvania, $28; Bellringer Gin, USA, $18; Hendrick's Gin, Scotland, 35; New Amsterdam Gin, California, $14; Gordon's Gin, England, $15

SOJU / SHŌCHŪ

No double golds

WHITE RUM

No double golds

DARK / GOLD RUM

• Best In Show/Double Gold: Vizcaya VXOP Solera Rum, Dominican Republic, $38

• Double Golds: 10 Cane Rum, Trinidad, $25; Stolen Gold Rum, Caribbean, Trinidad, $21; Tommy Bahama Golden Sun Rum, Barbados, $20; Berkshire Mountain Ragged Mountain Rum, Massachusetts, $30; Ron Viejo de Caldas Rum, Manizales, Colombia, $13; Angostura 7 Year Old Dark Rum, Trinidad & Tobago; Santa Teresa Selecto Rum, Venezuela, $25; Flor de Caña Gold Rum, Nicaragua, $15; Cruzan Aged Dark Rum, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, $16; Pampero Aniversario Rum, Venezuela, $39

FLAVORED RUM

No double golds

EXTRA-AGED RUM

• Best Extra-Aged Rum/Double Gold: Pusser's 15 Year Old Rum, Nelson's Blood, Trinidad, British Virgin Islands, $55

• Double Golds: Ron Abuelo 7 Year Old Rum, Panama, $20; Ron Abuelo 12 Year Old Rum, Panama, $20; Cruzan Single Barrel Extra-Aged Rum, St. Croix, American Virgin Islands, $32; Carupano Legendario, Carupano-Sucre, Venezuela, $1,000

OVERPROOF RUM

No double golds

RHUM AGRICOLE

No double golds

CACHAÇA

• Best Cachaça/Double Gold: Medal, Leblon Cachaça, Minas Gerais, Brazil, $30

• Double Golds: Germana Tradicional Cachaça, Minas Gerais, Brazil, $34; Savassi Premium Oak Cachaça, Minas Gerais, Brazil, $9; INOX Cachaça, Brazil

OTHER SUGAR CANE BASED SPIRITS

No double golds

SILVER / GOLD (UNAGED) TEQUILA

• Best In Show - White/Double Gold: Trago Silver Tequila, Altos de Jalisco, Mexico, $40

• Double Golds: El Tequileño Platino Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $35; Dulce Vida Blanco Tequila, 100 Proof, Jalisco, Mexico, $40

REPOSADO TEQUILA

• Best Reposado Tequila, Double Gold Medal, Trago Reposado Tequila, Altos de Jalisco, Mexico [40%] $45.

• Double Golds: Medal, AGV 400 Reposado Tequila, Altos de Jalisco, Mexico, $45; Dos Lunas Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $39; Tequila Blu Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $38; Corrido Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $35; José Cuervo Tradicional Reposado Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $25

AÑEJO TEQUILA

• Best Añejo Tequila (Tie) /Double Gold Medal: El Jimador Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $30, and Mujer Bonita Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $25

• Double Golds: Tequila Cinco Blancos Añejo Tequila, Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico, $23; U4RIK Añejo Tequila, Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico, $45; Orgullo Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $37; Don Julio Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $48

EXTRA-AGED AÑEJO TEQUILA

• Double Gold: Rey Sol Extra-Aged Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $300

MIXTO TEQUILA

• Double Gold: Somonque Silver Mixto Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, $13

FLAVORED TEQUILA

No double golds

MESCAL, SOTOL, BACANORA

• Best Mescal/Double Gold: El Zacatecano Añejo Mescal, Zacatecas, Mexico, 0%] $42

• Double Gold: Mina del Eden Reposado Mescal, Zacatecas, Mexico

OTHER AGAVE SPIRITS

No double golds

STRAIGHT BOURBON

• Double Gold: Johnny Drum Private Stock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky, $45; William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky, $70

SMALL BATCH BOURBON 10 YRS. AND UNDER

• Double Gold: Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Seasoned Oak Finish, Kentucky, $90

SMALL BATCH BOURBON 11 YRS. AND OLDER

No gold medals

SINGLE BARREL AMERICAN WHISKEY 10

• Double Gold: Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon, 1999 Vintage, Kentucky, $25; Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon, Kentucky, $40

SINGLE BARREL AMERICAN WHISKEY 11

• Best Bourbon/Double Gold: Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Kentucky, $40

• Double Gold: Wild Turkey Bourbon Tradition, Kentucky, $115

TENNESSEE WHISKEY

• Double Gold: George Dickel Cascade Hollow Tennessee Whiskey

AMERICAN STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY

• Double Gold: Sazerac 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Kentucky, $70; Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Thomas H. Handy, Kentucky, $70

AMERICAN BLENDED WHISKEY

• Double Gold: Jeremiah Weed Blended Bourbon Whiskey, Cherry Mash, USA, $18; Jeremiah Weed Blended Bourbon Whiskey, USA, $18

CORN WHISKEY

• Double Gold: Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whiskey, Texas, $38

CANADIAN WHISKY

• Best Canadian Whisky/Double Gold: Seagrams VO Canadian Whisky, Canada, $23

• Double Gold: Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky, Canada, $50

BLENDED IRISH WHISKEY

• Best Irish Whiskey/Double Gold Medal: Bushmills 1608 Irish Whiskey Limited Edition, Ireland, $100

• Double Gold: Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey, Ireland, $32

SINGLE MALT IRISH WHISKEY

• Double Gold: Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Cask Strength, Connemara, Ireland, $60

PURE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY

• Double Gold: Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey, Ireland, $60

OTHER WHISKEY

• Double Gold: Suntory The Yamazaki 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, Japan, $110; Suntory The Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky, Vintage 1984, Japan, $650

FLAVORED WHISKEY

No double golds

BLENDED SCOTCH

• Blended Scotch/Double Gold: The Grand Bark Equinoxe Blended Scotch, Scotland, $55

• Double Gold: The Grand Bark Epitome Blended Scotch, Scotland, $1,500; Pinch Scotch, Scotland, $45; Old Parr Superior Blended Scotch, Scotland, $75

DISTILLERS’ SINGLE MALT SCOTCH

• Best Single Malt Scotch/Double Gold: Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch, Corryvreckan, Islay, Scotland. $85

• Best In Show - Whisky/Double Gold: Isle of Jura Single Malt Scotch, Prophecy, Islands, Scotland, $70

• Double Gold: Glenglassaugh 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Highland, Scotland, $234; Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Highland, Scotland, $149; Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch, Airigh Nam Beist 1990, Islay, Scotland, $85; Glenmorangie Original 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Highland, Scotland, $40; Glenmorangie 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Lasanta Sherry Cask, Highland, Scotland, $50; Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Extremely Rare, Highland, Scotland, $100; Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch, Signet, Highland, Scotland, $200; Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Speyside, Scotland, $65; Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Speyside, Scotland, $130; The Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Single Barrel, Speyside, Scotland, $60; The Balvenie 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Madeira Cask, Speyside, Scotland, $120; Tomatin 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Highland, Scotland, $70; The Glenrothes Alba Reserve Single Malt Scotch, Speyside, Scotland, $60; The Glenlivet 16 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, Nadurra, Speyside, Scotland, $60; The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, Nadurra Triumph, Speyside, Scotland, $85; Laphroaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Islay, Scotland; Ardmore Traditional Cask Single Malt Scotch, Highlands, Scotland; Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Highlands, Scotland, $55; .Oban 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Highlands, Scotland, $80; Caol Ila 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Islay, Scotland, $50; Clynelish 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Highlands, Scotland, $50; Stronachie 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Speyside, Scotland; Glen Taite 19 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Speyside, Scotland, $99Blended Malt Scotch

BLENDED MALT SCOTCH

No double golds

COGNAC VS THREE STAR

No double golds

COGNAC VSOP OR EQUIVALENT

• Double Gold: Louis Royer Fine Champagne Cognac VSOP, Force 53, Cognac, France, $50; Bache-Gabrielsen Cognac VSOP, Cognac, France, $40; Cognac Ferrand Landy VSOP, France; Cognac Ferrand Landy VSOP, France

COGNAC XO OR EQUIVALENT

• Double Gold: Comandon Cognac XO, France, $145; Cognac Frapin Cognac XO, Chateau Fontpinot, Grande Champagne, France, $95

COGNAC EXTRA-AGED / VINTAGE

No double golds

ARMAGNAC VSOP OR EQUIVALENT

No double golds

ARMAGNAC XO OR EQUIVALENT

• Best Armagnac, Double Gold Medal, Comte de Lauvia 21 Year Old Armagnac, Eauze, France [40%] $35.

ARMAGNAC VINTAGE - PRE 1985

No double golds

CALVADOS VS, VSOP, XO, HORS

• Double Golds: Berneroy Calvados Fine, France, $16; Père Magloire Calvados VSOP, Normandy, France, $40; Père Magloire Calvados XO, Normandy, France, $75; Roger Groult 15 Year Old Calvados Pays d'Auge, France, $72

CALVADOS VINTAGE

• Best In Show - Brandy/Double Gold: Père Magloire 20 Year Old Vintage Calvados, Normandy, France, [40%] $100

APPLE BRANDY

• Double Gold: Cornelius Applejack, New York, $45

ALAMBIC BRANDY

No double golds

FRENCH GRAPE BRANDY

No double golds

AMERICAN GRAPE BRANDY

No double golds

SPANISH GRAPE BRANDY & BRANDY

• Double Gold Medal, Cardenal Mendoza Brandy, Brandy de Jerez, Spain, $45

INDEPENDENT SINGLE MALT SCOTCH

• Double Gold: Stronachie 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Speyside, Scotland

BLENDED MALT SCOTCH

No double golds

GRAPPA

• Double Gold: Alexander Grappa di Moscato, Conegliano, Italy, $33

PISCO

• Best Pisco/Double Gold: Pisco "O" Torontel Pisco, Ica, Peru, $35

FRUIT BRANDY OTHER THAN GRAPE

No double golds

OTHER BRANDIES

No double golds

FRUIT LIQUEUR

• Best In Show - Liqueur/Double Gold: Grand Marnier 100th Anniversary Liqueur, France, $135

• Double Gold: Merlet Crème de Framboise, France, $27; Bvland Blackberry Liqueur, Spain, $15

HERBAL / BOTANICAL LIQUEUR

• Double Gold: EFE Yas Uzum / EFE RakiLiqueur, Turkey; Aperol Liqueur, Padua, Italy, $22

COFFEE LIQUEUR

• Double Gold: Santa Teresa Araku Rum, Venezuela, $24

CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR

No double golds

NUT LIQUEUR

No double golds

CREAM / DAIRY LIQUEUR

• Best Cream Liqueur/Double Gold: Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, Belgium, $30

• Double Gold: Tres Leches Triple Cream Liqueur, USA, $21; Godiva Caramel Liqueur, Belgium, $30; Bottega Gianduia Liqueur, Italy, $25

OTHER LIQUEUR

No double golds

SCHNAPPS

No double golds

ABSINTHE

No double golds

APÉRITIF

No double golds

PRE-MIXED COCKTAILS

No double golds

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS SPIRITS

• Double Gold: Underground Herbal Spirit /Herbal Bitter Liqueur, Utah, USA, $28; Corsair Wry Moon Unaged Rye Whiskey, USA, $34

Haiti’s Rhum Barbancourt bouncing back

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:23:21 +0000

Haiti's best-known export, Rhum Barbancourt, was hit hard during the January earthquake and aftershocks, but expects to resume bottling and shipping this month, or by mid-May. Word from Port-au-Prince is that resumption of production comes despite an estimated $4 million in damages when bottles and oak vats, some containing precious 15-year-old rum, were destroyed in the quakes. Thierry Gardère, general director and fourth generation in the family to run the company, told news reporters that it could take as long as four years to ramp up production to pre-disaster levels. "It's pretty spectacular that Barbancourt is still here, is still great, and is still setting a high standard that other companies have to match -- especially at their luxury level," said Robert Burr, the Coral Gables, FL, publisher of the Gifted Rums Guide. The company, founded in the 19th century by a French emigré, sells about $12 million of rum annually. The U.S. is its largest export market.

Burnett’s adds 20th vodka flavor

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:10:01 +0000

When life gives you fruits, make fruit punch And, when you have a distillery, why not make your 20th flavor of vodka?

The Burnett’s Flavored Vodka portfolio has been expanded by the addition of Fruit Punch. The new flavor is available in 1.75L, 1.0L, 750ml, and 50ml sizes, bottled at 35% alcohol by volume (70 proof). Suggested retail price for the 750ml bottle is $9.99.

The line also includes blueberry, cherry, citrus, coconut, cranberry, espresso, grape, lime, mango, orange, peach, pink lemonade, pomegranate, raspberry, sour apple, strawberry, sweet tea, vanilla, watermelon and now Fruit Punch.

Burnett’s is a brand produced by Heaven Hill Distilleries of Bardstown, KY. The parent company's portfolio also includes The Christian Brothers Brandies, Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky straight bourbons, Hpnotiq liqueur, PAMA pomegranate liqueur, Lunazul and Two Fingers tequilas, and Dubonnet aperitif.

The whisk(e)y season is dear to Ireland, Scotland

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:40:21 +0000

The portal is about to open on a season dear to the Gaelic and Celtic folk of Ireland and Scotland and, indeed, their millions of descendants all over the U.S.

March 20 brings in Alban Eiler, known elsewhere as the spring solstice or vernal equinox. Weather be damned, it means spring has arrived and will last until June 20, the longest day of the year, when we will encounter Alban Heruin, the summer solstice.

Flanking that date we have such frolics as St. Patrick's Day on March 17 and Tartan Day on April 6, or close to it depending on festivitiy plans in different cities and towns.

St. Patrick's Day honors the patron saint of Ireland who drove the snakes into the sea where they became sharks, politicians and TV reality show producers.

Tartan Day celebrates that time in A.D. 1320 when King Robert the Bruce and his Scottish parliament sent off a letter called the Declaration of Arbroath to the Pope in Rome asking him to get the English off their backs. That worked so well that England rules Scotland to this day.

Both historic events, as well as the arrival of Easter, spring and a bunch of other traditional religious and secular days, will in this span be marked in many communities with once-a-year church attendance, parades, festivals, dances, silly hats and drink specials at your favorite pub -- featuring Scotch and Irish whiskies, in particular.

Scotch whiskies usually are distilled twice, Irish whiskies three or four times, thus increasing their purity and smoothness. In some instances, further aging in used bourbon or sherry casks or a bit of blending creates a crossover taste between the two categories.

American whiskies vary widely, from the single malts so beloved by the Scots to blended whiskies to bourbons to Tennessee sipping whiskey, which differs from bourbon in that it undergoes a charcoal filtration process.

As is the case with most such things, there is no right or wrong, best or worst. There is only personal preference.

Midwest craft brewer debuts rye-on-rye

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:30:58 +0000

The Midwest's largest craft brewer has released the latest in its line of barrel-aged beers.

Boulevard Brewing Co. of Kansas City, MO, on Tuesday announced its Rye-on-Rye, the fourth in a series of limited release offerings in the Smokestack Series of artisanal beers.

The word "limited" is accurate, given that production is being limited to just 10,000 750ml bottles. It is expected to be on the market later this month.

The aging barrels were acquired last year from the Templeton Rye distillery. Two kinds of malted rye are used to make the beer, which then was aged for nearly a year in the rye barrels. It is being bottled at 11% alcohol by volume.

Boulevard Brewing's seasonal and year-round are available in 12 Midwestern states, with selected offerings sold in nine other states.

Something to toast Benedictine’s 500th

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:14:41 +0000

NEW YORK -- Unless the topic is coal or oil, it is not often one can write about a 500-year-old product.

That's one of the very special things about Benedictine, the herbal liqueur developed purportedly during the Renaissance by the Venetian monk Dom Bernardo Vincelli in the Abbey of Fécamp from 27 plants and spices.

It gained popularity and was produced by the Benedictine monks until the late 18th Century. Historians say the recipe became lost during the upheaval of the French Revolution, then was rediscovered by a Fécamp resident, tucked into a 16th Century manuscript he had purchased.

The formula used today was refined in 1863 by one Alexandre Legrand, whose family eventually sold the Benedictine company to Martini and Rossi, which in turn sold it to Bacardi.

A celebration of the liqueur's 500th anniversary was held this week at the Hearst Tower in New York City, in partnership with Hearst's Esquire magazine. Part of the gala was a competition among a group of highly-regarded bartenders to be named the "Alchemist of our Age" by coming up with creative uses for the liqueur.

The winner was Damon Dyer of New York's Flatiron Lounge and Louis 649. Here's the recipe:

MONTE CASSINO COCKTAIL

¾ ounce Benedictine liqueur

½ ounce Yellow Chartreuse

¾ ounce fresh lemon juice

¾ ounce Rittenhouse Rye

Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled coupe or small cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

Springbank half-bottle may bring bug bucks

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:40:19 +0000

A half-bottle of one of the world's rarest whiskies is expected to bring $6,400 to $9,600 at an upcoming auction in Glasgow, Scotland. It's a 1927 Springbank, distilled by J&A Mitchell and Co. in 1900 and drawn in 1927, It will be among 500 bottles to be auctioned off at the McTear's Winter Rare Whisky Sale. "You don't find too many half bottles coming to auction, but it is very rare indeed to find one of this quality," Andrew Bell, McTear's whisky specialist, told The Scotsman newspaper. "Springbank is an extremely collectable whisky, and I'm sure there will be a lot of interest in this outstanding example." Also being offered at the February 3 event are a 1938 Macallan and a 1964 Bowmore. Springbank was named "Distiller of the Year" in Whisky Magazine's "Icons of Whisky 2009."

The Great Bitters Shortage goes on

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:39:13 +0000

It's not the same as last year's Knob Creek shortage, when the bourbon distiller reported it was temporarily out of enough aged whiskey to bottle.

In this instance, the folks who make Angostura Bitters apparently have plenty of product, What they don't have is enough bottles to put it in.

The globally popular cocktail ingredient has been in short supply since the second half of 2009 because of an ongoing dispute between the House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago and the company that supplies its bottles. Production was halted in November, although since then a limited number of bottles have been delivered.

Some bars and restaurants have been hoarding their supply until the pipeline reopens. At the moment, the manufacturer is being vague about when that may be.

The House of Angostura has been undergoing a financial restructuring. It is owned by CL Financial, a Caribbean conglomerate that purchased it from Bacardi in 1997. CL is suffering through a liquidity crisis that necessitated an emergency bailout last year by the government of Trinidad and Tobago.

Angostura Bitters is the largest bitters seller in the world. Its sales in the U.S. alone are about 750,000 of the four-ounce bottles. The product, made from a proprietary recipe of spices, herbs, roots, barks and rum, was invented in 1824 by German doctor Johann Siegert as a tonic to ease tropical ailments. It was named for the Venezuelan town where he lived at the time.

Haiti quake doesn’t stop rum distiller

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:36:37 +0000

My Coral Gables, FL, friend Robert A. Barr, publisher of the Gifted Rum Guide, passes along this information:

“Here’s the news from the Gardere family at Barbancourt in Haiti:

“Our reporter Hank Tester reports from Haiti that Barbancourt has suffered minor damage at their distillery and aging warehouses from the recent earthquake activities.

“There is plenty of aged rum to continue operations, although it’s a struggle for employees who have been adversely affected to come to work.

“The company believes they have enough stock to remain viable for some time while they work hard to get their operations restored to full capacity soon. At the present time, there is plenty of Barbancourt Rhum in the United States and no shortage is anticipated.”

A New Year’s Eve cocktail menu

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:26:47 +0000

I'm releasing this expanded version of my first monthly "What will they think of next?" feature for 2010 a few days early so you can go through it to select some New Year's Eve cocktails. For that reason, the offering is double the usual trio of suggestions. They've been culled from the monthly recipes shared throughout 2009.

You'll find instructions for making "Dowd's Marteani" (green tea, vodka, Galliano and other goodies), "Absolutly Rocking" (the spelling is a nod to its major component), "Triple Orange Margarita" (lots of flavors and fresh citrus), "Fish House Punch" (a rum drink that dates to the early 1700s), "Ward 8" (a Boston version of the whiskey sour) and "The Last Word" (a gin oldie making a comeback).

Just click here for the recipes. And, if you'd like to browse through the "What will they think of next?" archives, click here.

Tips for holiday partying

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:14:52 +0000

Tis the time of year when inhibitions go out the window.

Office parties, gatherings of friends, family feasts, New Year's Eve ... Ah, how the drinks do flow.

Unfortunately, too many occasional drinkers tend to overdo in such circumstances, to the regret of not only themselves, but those around them who are (1) embarassed, (2) annoyed and/or (3) disgusted by their behavior.

Simply telling people to drink responsibly won't avoid all such negative experiences. But, armed with a little knowledge of one's own alcohol capacity and how well you metabolize what you drink, you and those near you will get through holiday partying in a dignified, enjoyable way.

Go here for a rundown, and some surprising information.

Beer Connoisseur Magazine to debut

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:07:55 +0000

Magazines may be going belly-up in many categories while the eocnomy stumbles along, but that isn't stopping Lynn Davis.

The founder and editor of Beer Connoisseur Magazine will see the new title debut on newsstands nationwide on Tuesday, December 8.

The quarterly magazine, published in Atlanta, is being billed as a beer guide for both novices and experts. The debut issue already has been mailed to charter subscribers.

The magazine, says Managing Editor Nick Kaye, will focus on the marriage of beer and food, with articles in the first issue on the rise of the gastropub trend, beer and cheese pairing, and other topics such as domestic and international travel. It also profiles individuals in the industry and reviews of various brews.

NY grape makes Indiana’s signature wine

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:52:48 +0000

Traminette, a grape hybrid from Cornell University's Agricultural Experiment Station, has been given the designation of the state's first signature wine.

The state, however, is not New York, but rather Indiana.

Confused? Go here to read the whole story.

New vodka packs protein punch

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:05:18 +0000

Some years ago, in a TV commercial for a certain brand of cheese, an actor turned up his nose every time the voiceover informed viewers that a competing brand contained "casein." To many people, that meant casein -- from the Latin word for cheese and pronounced kay/scene -- was a bad thing. To those who know it is the main phosphoprotein that makes up 80% of the proteins in cow's milk and cheese, we wondered what the big deal was. But, as always, advertising won out. The creators of a new vodka called Devotion are hoping drinkers will accept casein as a good thing, because they've added it to their spirit and are pushing the drink as a jolly way for athletes to hydrate for muscle recovery. Devotion Spirits is a San Francisco company founded last year by Drew Adelman, a nightlife and dining aficionado and fitness buff. The 80 proof vodka, triple distilled from corn, is infused with PeptoPro® casein. “My own personal mantra has always been, if you are going to be bad you might as well be good,” Adelman said. “With Devotion Vodka I can stay devoted to my regimen while stepping out for a good time. I used to actually take my own protein out with me when I went for a night on the town. Then I realized there were millions of people like me who wanted to take care of their bodies and also have a good time. From that passion, Devotion Vodka was born.” The new spirit is being marketed for $29.99 for the 750ml bottle in California, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut at the moment. Market response will dictate its future distribution.

Knob Creek flowing again

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:10:50 +0000

Knob Creek Bourbon is about to resume flowing to liquor sales points after a controversial production stoppage this summer. Bill Newlands, president of Beam Global Spirits & Wine U.S., and Fred Noe, the seventh-generation Beam family distiller, officially restarted production at the distillery in Clermont, KY, yesterday, presiding over the opening of the first mature, four-char barrel dating to 2000. That officially ended the "drought" of fully matured Knob Creek that was announced in the summer and blamed on sales outstripping production. The company even sent out empty bottles to spirits writers as part of the announcement. In the views of some, however, the "drought" was a public relations gimmick, something the company steadfastly denied. "We want to thank Knob Creek fans everywhere for their patience and understanding these past months, and promise it was worth their wait," Newlands said. "Accelerating production and compromising quality, by a few weeks, even days, was never an option we considered. Knob Creek fans have been in touch, many thanking us for doing things the right way. It is very gratifying, and validating."

California wine center on the block

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:57:58 +0000

COPIA, the Napa, CA, wine and culinary center that teetered on the edge of insolvency through much of its brief history, is up for sale.

The owner is seeking bids for the shuttered facility that declared bankruptcy last December after running out of cash. Bidders have until Nov. 12 to submit proposals for the 17-acre property, according to a real estate company handling the sale.

The $78 million complex offers “an exciting opportunity for a new owner to develop a vibrant and valuable commercial and tourism destination,” he said.

ACA Financial Guaranty Corp., which controls the property, put it on the market. ACA insured the bonds issued to pay for COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts. Proceeds from the sale will go to repay the bondholders. The property is worth $25 to $35 million in the current market, according to estimates in bankruptcy court filings.

COPIA was the brainchild of wine pioneer Robert Mondavi, who died last year at age 94. It was financially troubled since its 2001 opening as a facility that included museum exhibition space, a restaurant, expansive gardens, meeting rooms and art galleries.

G’Vine bartender test has a twist

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:16:36 +0000

Every now and then a new twist on an old product can be welcome. It helps shake up any complacency you have about your spirits selections.

In the matter of gin, I'd long ago fallen into a Bombay Sapphire rut. A wonderful concoction, that Sapphire. So perfect for my palate that even when I felt the urge for a change of pace I had difficulty zeroing in on another label. Until G'Vine came along.

As my "Tasting Notes" comments reflect, one of the key ingredients in this handcrafted, limited edition 80-proof French gin is the rare and subtle green grape flower. It had made G'Vine a standout since its introduction to the market in 2007.

In an effort to put G'Vine on the lips of more people, in a variety of ways, the maker has launched an international search for "the most exceptional gin bartender" as part of the G’Vine Connoisseur Program.

I'm told there already are more than 190 entrants from around the world.

The competition’s 12 global finalists will be flown to Paris and Cognac for a week of challenges, seminars and the opportunity to run their own bar at the G’Vine Spring Ball. The winner will receive $3,000 in prize money and a trip for two to Amsterdam, London and Paris to explore the past, present and future of gin.

Each entrant is required to complete an online examination process that includes five "interactive modules" which together make up an extensive overview of the gin category. The exams are supervised and graded by Philip Duff, a noted international spirits expert and owner of Liquid Solutions Bar & Beverage Consulting and Door 74 in Amsterdam. The deadline to complete all exams is December 15. Contenders also must create an original G’Vine cocktail and include it on their bar‘s cocktail list until January 31, 2010.

“Unlike other cocktail competitions where the focus is only on the end-use cocktail created by the bartender, the G’Vine Connoisseur Program is seeking a bartender with an unmatched knowledge, and creativity -- basically a bartender who is obsessed with gin," said Audrey Fort, EWG marketing and business development director.

NY International Wine Awards to be unveiled

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:41:26 +0000

There's a new wine competition in town. At least there will be in New York City.

Dori Bryant, president of The Polished Palate, and spirits writer Adam Levy tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 30) will announce the debut of the New York International Wine Awards (NYIWA).

The NYIWA is a competition that will award the best wines in various categories as judged by the people on the front line of consumer contact. Trade-only judges will consist of restaurant owners, sommeliers, liquor store buyers, and distributors and importers of fine wine. Jack Robertiello of Drinks Ink will act as the competition host and lead the judging panel.

Bryant and Levy hosted the premiere New York International Spirits Awards in June 2009. The success of that inaugural event led to the expansion of the franchise to include wine.

The judging for the NYIWA will take place in closed sessions the week of February 6, 2010, at the Astor Center in New York. The deadline for brands to enter is January 22, 2010.

“The NYIWA is the first wine competition to rely solely on the results of trade-only judging," said Bryant. "These judges are the front line of consumer purchases on a daily basis.”

Details and entry forms are available online.

Drinks on the rocks—for real

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:32:42 +0000

Andrew Hellman likes his drinks on the rocks. So, he invented "rocks" that will chill the drink.

Hellman, co-founder of the tableware company Teroforma, came up with processed soapstone rocks that you store in the freezer for several hours before using. The rocks will not dilute the drink and also will not scratch glass.

The rocks, milled to the size of sugar cubes at the Vermont Soapstone company's facility in Perkinsville, VT, are sold in sets of nine in a muslin storage bag for $20. Teroforma suggests them only for small drinks or shots.

Bombay Sapphire: We’re No. 1

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:20:26 +0000

I have long felt a special relationship with Bombay Sapphire gin. Sure, I enjoy others -- G'vine, Hendrick's, Boodles and so on, but Sapphire was my first love. Well, it turns out the iconic infused spirit has been seeing other guys -- and gals. According to the International Wine and Spirit Record (IWSR), Bombay Sapphire has become the world’s top premium gin with a global market share of 31.7% for the 12-month period ending Dec. 31, 2008, now that all sales figures have been analyzed. The best-performing markets for the Bacardi Ltd. product have been in the top international gin markets -- the U.S., United Kingdom, Spain and travel retail, outperforming the category in both value and volume. In 2008, Sapphire racked up a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%, according to IWSR. Hussy.

Monster whisky bottle one for the book

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:25:43 +0000

If you’re limited to just one bottle of Scotch, the distillers in Tomintoul, Scotland, the highest village in the Highlands, have come up with just the thing for you.

They’ve made it into the Guinness Book of World Records by producing the world’s largest whisky bottle for their Tomintoul Speyside Glenlivet Single Malt. It holds the equivalent of 150 regular bottles.

It was filled by hand at the distillery in August with 105.3 litres of the 14-year-old whisky, and stands just under five feet tall. The bottle now is on permanent display at the Clockhouse in the Tomintoul village square.

Tomintoul is located in the northeast of Scotland in Ballindalloch, Banffshire.

Canned craft beer getting its own showcase

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:47:53 +0000

CANFEST, the first international craft beer judging and tasting for canned beer, is being readied for Reno, NV.

The Buckbean Brewing Company, Nevada’s largest production microbrewery, will host the event at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino on October 23. Proceeds will benefit The Nature Conservancy and the Great Basin Bird Observatory.

Other brewers scheduled to participate include:

• Big Sky Brewing Company • Oskar Blues • Ukiah Brewing Company • Maui Brewing Company • Surly Brewing Company • New Belgium Brewing Company • Uncommon Brewers • Rochester Mills Brewing Company

Others may be added before the event judging which will take place prior to the public tasting, based on categories to be determined. Beer seminars, beer and food pairings and a forum of brewers who can beer are planned.

Ticket prices are $35 per person and room packages will be available for attendees.

Buckbean produces its two signature beers, Original Orange Blossom Ale and Black Noddy Lager, in 16-ounce, environmentally-friendly cans.

Bushmills preps new-bottle rollout

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:21:06 +0000

Bushmills' iconic Irish whiskey has been around for more than four centuries without a whole lot of changes. So, when the Northern Ireland distiller decides to repackage its spirits, it's news.

Bushmills' new bottle, which goes on the Northern Ireland market this November and then globally next March, represents an investment of $2.8 million by owner Diageo, part of an ongoing investment program that has hit $16.7 million since it acquired Bushmills in 2005.

“The new bottle highlights a lot of the quality and pride people at the distillery have been investing into this whiskey for centuries," Gordon Donoghue, Bushmills supply director said at a press conference. "It’s an Irish whiskey made by local people, and we’re delighted to be able to launch it in its home market nearly six months ahead of its global release.”

The new bottle has an embossing of both the 1608 original distillation license and the famous Old Bushmills Distillery potstill.

Midwest gets nation’s largest AVA

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:19:17 +0000

You may not know the wine appellation "Upper Mississippi River Valley" now, but watch for it on wine labels at your favorite purveyor in the coming months. It is the newest federally-approved American Viticulture Area (AVA) -- and the nation's largest, cutting through 29,914 square miles of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. The largest AVA had been the 26,000-square-mile Ohio River Valley. The new designation comes as a response to wine and agriculture officials from the four states petitioned the U.S. Alcohol Tobacco and Tax and Trade Bureau, which designates AVAs, such as Napa and Finger Lakes. The new region works as a specific geographic area, a necessary criterium, because, unlike much of the flat plains of the Midwest, the Upper Mississippi River Valley is covered with steep slopes and well-drained soil required to grow premium grapes, usually various hybrids since the harsh winters wreak havoc on less hardy grapes as cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.

A NY product from start to finish

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:15:24 +0000

In the world of spirits, when one refers to an oak barrel it usually means American white oak or French Limousin oak. At Lakewood Vineyards on Seneca Lake, winemaker Chris Stamp is sticking to his own backyard.

Stamp has begun aging his Chardonnay in 59-gallon barrels, built by coopers in Pennsylvania from New York State oak.

“It has produced an extremely nice Chardonnay,” Stamp told the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. “We’ve had a consistent run of gold medals.”

As the newspaper reported, "Stamp’s original intent was to better capture the regional terroir by using locally sourced wood for his barrels. 'Where’s the sense of place if you’re using French oak barrels?' he says. After floating the idea in 2002, Stamp patiently waited -- three years -- for the barrels to be cured and seasoned before phasing them in. Lakewood ... now relies on this backyard bonanza for half of its Chardonnay vintage.. ... Stamp notes a more 'delicate' character imparted by our climate’s tighter-grain oaks'."

Dr. Frank Stamp founded the vineyard in 1951, leaving his dentistry practice in Maryland to do so. He bought Lakewood Farm, a rundown peach and apple orchard, and the next spring began planting grapes. The family grew commercial grapes only until 1988 when Monty Stamp (Frank's son), his wife, Beverly, and their children pressed the grapes for their first wine vintage.

Chris Stamp was raised on Lakewood Farm and went on to study food science and chemistry with the goal of becoming a winemaker. He graduated in 1983 and went on to work for Plane's Cayuga Vineyards, a pioneer winery on Cayuga Lake, then worked as a research and extension associate for the wine industry in Ohio. When Lakewood Vineyards winery opened, he returned to the family farm and has been winemaker for each of its vintages.

Lakewood Vineyards is located at 4024 State Road 14, Watkins Glen. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Phone: (607) 535-9252.

Illinois alcohol taxes set to soar

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:40:44 +0000

Consumers in Illinois will be hit with the largest alcohol tax increase in state history come September 1. Oh, and many suppliers also plan to raise the prices of their products as well.

It reminds me of the situation a Canadian distillery official told me about during a visit to his operation a few years ago when the subject of high prices of adult beverages in his country came up.

"Why don't you find many Canadian alcoholics?" he asked. "Because no one makes enough money to be one."

In Illinois, the excise tax on alcohol is paid to the state by the manufacturer or distributor. According to the state's Department of Revenue, consumers can expect to see the tax on a six-pack of beer go up by 25% (from 10.4 cents to 13 cents), the tax on a bottle of wine go up 86% (from 13 cents to 28 cents), and the tax on a fifth of distilled spirits 90% (from 90 cents to $1.71).

That all is based on current prices. Once supplier price hikes are figured in, consumers probably will be paying about $3 more for a 1.75-liter bottle of spirits and $1 or more extra for a bottle of wine.

John Elway goes ‘Nude’

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:39:02 +0000

Former pro football great John Elway has made successful forays into a variety of businesses since he retired from the Denver Broncos.

First it was a string of car dealerships, then several Denver restaurants as well as philanthropic endeavors, and now it's vodka.

Elway has joined the "advisory board" of Nude Spirits LLC of Punta Gorda, FL.

The company produces Nude Vodka, which it modestly calls "an American-born ultra-premium masterpiece."

Elway’s involvement will consist of dealing with future investors, partners, and distributors.

The vodka is filtered five-times over crushed volcanic lava rock and distilled in the High Cascades of the Pacific Northwest. It debuted on the market in the Washington, DC, area in January.

IW&SC wine/spirits results are in

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:03:20 +0000

What event involves 10 weeks of blind tasting by 70 industry experts from around the globe evaluating light and fortified wines as well as spirits from 33 different countries across Europe, Asia, the U.S. and Canada?

If you said the International Wine & Spirits Competition you'd be right. The UK-based global event has wrapped up its Northern Hemisphere wine and spirits judging, with the Southern Hemisphere's products to be judged later in the year.

The judges awarded 102 gold medals, a number that represents just 3% of the entries.

Riesling enjoyed a resounding return with Germany taking 12 gold medals, predominantly for this grape variety. France, Italy and Spain were the highest scoring countries judged by total medals won. New entries came from Turkey, Tunisia, Thailand, South Korea and Montenegro, with the latter plus Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden being the only four countries to win medals for each entry from their country.

Go here for the results, available by category, from the IWSC.

Stranahan’s spreading its wings

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:02:26 +0000

Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey is one of those limited-distribution spirits that has a strong following in its home state and a few other spots but is relatively unknown elsewhere.

That should change now that Stranahan's has signed a distribution contract with Republic National Distributing Company.

RNDC, which operates in 19 states, "will help us focus our efforts on what we do best –- making uniquely handcrafted whiskey," Stranahan's founder Jess Graber (left) said in a statement.

RNDC's area covers, alphabetically:

Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC and West Virginia.

Van Gogh top vodka in first ‘Quickie Poll’

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:32:43 +0000

More than 250 votes were cast in the first Dowd On Drinks "Quickie Poll," a limited-time balloting for your favorite unflavored vodkas.

Twenty-two possibilities were listed on the online ballot form, although participants were allowed to add brands not on the original list.

Van Gogh, a super premium spirit from the Royal Dirkzwager Distilleries (left) in Schiedam, Holland, was the runaway winner.

It is handmade in small batches by Master Distiller Tim Vos through a multiple distillation process that takes six weeks. It is a family-owned business, passed down since 1891. In 2005, Dirkzwager received a Royal Appointment by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, for 125 years of consistent excellence and reliable quality.

Here is the Top 10 (actually, top 11 because of a tie at No. 10), with the percentage of the votes garnered:

1. Van Gogh 16.1%
2. Stolichnaya 11.9%
3. Grey Goose 9.2%
4. Ketel One 8.3%
5. Svedka 7.3%
6. (tie) Smirnoff 6.4%, Absolut 6.4%
8. Ciroc 5.5%
9. Finlandia 5.1%
10. (tie) Chopin 4.6%, Tru Organic 4.6%

Interestingly, Finlandia was not on the original ballot, but obviously fared very well with the write-in crowd.

Oregon brewer fighting EPA water rules

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:24:15 +0000

• From KPTV.com

PORTLAND, OR -- A popular local brewery is urging the city to fight against federal government water quality standards because the regulation will affect the taste of beer.

The Widmer Brothers Brewery is leading the filtration order fight. City officials said the water from the Bull Run reservoirs is perfectly clean and free of the intestinal parasite that the Environmental Protection Agency requires all municipal water systems to filter out.The city's argument, bolstered by the beer-brewing Widmer brothers, is that the city's water supply is safe just the way it is and has been for more than a century.

Portland is home to more breweries and sells more draft beer per person than any city in North America.

[Go here for the full story.]

Tour de French wines

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:47:44 +0000
The Tour de France is in progress once more, usually a sure sign that all things French will be in the public consciousness for a while, not just bicycling. And, so, what is more French than fine wines?
I’ve extracted a variety of them from my Dowd’s Tasting Notes archives, and am sharing them in a two-part report.
You can read both parts by going here for Part 1 and here for Part 2.

Tastings for National Rum Month

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:36:53 +0000
In case you haven't heard, this is National Rum Month.
Says who? Does it really matter? It's a nice excuse to re-educate and broaden one's palate by trying a wide variety of rums.
Go here for my tasting notes from a recent I enjoyed on St. Croix in the American Virgin Islands during a visit to the Cruzan (krew-zhun) distillery recently purchased by Beam Global from the family that founded it. The event, which was a blind tasting of nine 80-proof rums of varying styles.
And, go here for my tasting notes on Matusalem Gran Reserva, Depaz Blue Cane and Starr African rums.

News flash: N. Korea launches .. a beer ad

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:47:47 +0000
Flying in the face of ~~world opinion~~ strict communist philosophy, the ~~mad regime~~ government of North Korea has allowed the launch of ~~a missile~~ a TV advertising campaign for a locally-brewed beer.
The beer is billed as the "Pride of Pyongyang," (for those of you who are geographically disadvantaged, that's the capital city of North Korea). It tells viewers the brew will help ease stress.
The Taedonggang Beer Factory has been making the beer since buying a British brewery and shipping it in pieces from the UK to Pyongyang for reassembling. The beer has sometimes been available in South Korea, and gets good consumer reviews.
Go here to view the entire 150-minute commercial, which shows up after the bank commercial sponsoring it.

Southern Comfort joins the RTD universe

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:06:55 +0000
In the world of ready-to-drink cocktails, known in the trade as RTDs, what once was a largely unpalatable option is becoming a viable one.
For decades, Holland House was the market leader with its various pre-mixed manhattans, whiskey sours and the like. I found them of the same caliber as "cooking wines," those hideous concoctions laden with excess salt and aimed at consumers who didn't know anything about cooking with wines and spirits. Or, in the case of the cocktails, people who didn't know what quality drinks were supposed to taste like.
However, that is changing. Just one example is from the long-popular Southern Comfort brand that has come up with a pair of RTD offerings, 15% alcohol by volume (abv) or 30 proof. They're Sweet Tea Cocktail and Hurricane Cocktail flavors.
Go here to read all about them, as well as a mini-history of Southern Comfort, a New Orleans icon.

What will they think of next? (july edition)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:37:26 +0000
This month I've decided to stick very close to home for my trio of cocktail recipes you can add to your collection.
How close?
I created all three of them, intending them primarily for warm-weather entertaining. They are the green tea-and-vodka-based Dowd's Marteani (left), the tequila-based Jalisco Breeze, and the rye whiskey-based Flyboy. Let me know what you think of them.
• Go here for the recipes for all three cocktails.
• Go here for my archive of monthly cocktail recipe collections.

‘New’ Tanqueray mixes classic, modern

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:50:48 +0000
Everything old is new again to some extent, especially in the tradition-heavy world of alcoholic spirits.
Diageo is relaunching its Tanqueray gin brand with its first global advertising campaign and new packaging.
The new bottle design returns to the cocktail-shaker shape first introduced in 1948, although the label itself has been changed to give it a more contemporary feel.
The campaign, entitled "Resist Simple," opens in the U.S. this week and will expand into the global market in September.
Shivaun Lucey, global brand director for gins at Diageo, said the activity encourages consumers to resist the bland and "enjoy the pleasure in the complexity and richness of life."
Preferably with a glass of Tanqueray, of course.

Knob Creek not the only place to run dry

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:22:29 +0000
By now, most whiskey drinkers have heard about the Knob Creek bourbon shortage. A lesser-known, but regionally very popular, whiskey made in Iowa is having the same problem but with a dimmer spotlight.
As the Des Moines Register reports:
"Ask Brian Duax about Iowa's best-known, least-available whiskey, and one of the first phrases to spout from his lips is 'a pain in the ass.'
"Duax, co-owner of Central City Liquors in Des Moines, said he gets an average of 30 to 35 phone calls a day inquiring about Templeton Rye, a three-year-old whiskey brand made from a Prohibition-era recipe developed by moonshining Iowa farmers. The calls come from regular retail customers and from the roughly 300 bars and restaurants that Central City supplies through its wholesale license.
"Duax's answer for most of this year has been the same: No, he doesn't have any. Nor, usually, do Duax's competitors. For some, that's starting to get annoying."
[Go here for the full story.]

Tie at top in 1st NY Spirits Awards

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:18:26 +0000
NEW YORK -- The inaugural New York Spirits Awards were announced today. More than 250 brands from around the world were entered in the competition, held at the Javits Center in Manhattan.
In a finish unlike virtually any other spirits competition I'm aware of, two entries tied for "best in show":
• Bache-Gabrielsen Hors d’Age Cognac
• Tequila Corrido Extra Anejo
The judging panel, led by Jack Robertiello of Drinks Ink, was composed of members of the on- and off-sale community. In a blind tasting, the judges scored each brand on a 100-point system. The NYSA awarded honors at three levels. "Best of Show" was given to the brand, or in this case brands, with the highest score. The "FDR Award," named for President Franklin D. Roosevelt who was credited with the repeal of Prohibition, was awarded to the highest scoring brand in each category. And the "Best of Class" honor was given to the top scoring 20% of brands in each category.
The New York Spirits Awards was founded in 2009 by two industry veterans, Dori Bryant, President of the Polished Palate, and Adam Levy, a spirits writer. It is dedicated to finding and honoring the very best of class in the spirits industry.
FDR Awards were given to:
• Tequila Corrido Extra Anejo (agave spirits)
• Tequila Lunazul Blanco (agave Spirits, tequila blanco)
• Tequila Lunazul Reposado (agave spirits, tequila reposado)
• Bache-Gabrielsen Hors d’Age Cognac (brandy/cognac)
• Bluecoat American Dry Gin (gin)
• St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur (liqueurs)
• Mathilde Pear Liqueur (liqueurs, fruit)
• Cruzan Black Strap Rum (rum)
• Fair Trade Vodka (vodka, unflavored)
• Firefly Peach Tea Flavored Vodka (vodka, flavored)
• Stolichnaya Vodka (vodka, wheat)
• Knappogue Castle Irish Single Malt Whiskey (whiskies, all)
• Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (whisky, single malt)
The Best of Class awards, by category in alphabetical order:
• Agave Spirits: Tequila 3 Amigos Blanco Certified Organic, Tequila El Grado Blanco, Tequila Galindo Anejo, Tequila Gran Centenario Rosangel, Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol Plata, Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Anejo, Tequila Lunazul Blanco, Tequila Lunazul Reposado, Metl 2012 Reserva Especial Mezcal.
• Agave Spirits, Tequila Blanco: Tequila 3 Amigos Blanco Certified Organic, Tequila El Grado Blanco, Tequila Mejor Blanco.
• Agave Spirits, Tequila Reposado: Tequila La Certeza Reposado, Tequila Mejor Reposado.
• Brandy/Cognac: Bache-Gabrielsen Classic XO Cognac, Camus Borderies XO Cognac, Camus Seraphin XO Cognac, Pierre Ferrand-Selection Des Anges, Pisco Gran Sierpe.
• Gin: Monopolowa Vienna Dry Gin, Seneca Drums Gin.
• Liqueurs: Artemisia Absinthe, Bottega Sambuca Liqueur, Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur, Drambuie Liqueur, Nature’s Own Juggernaut Liqueur, Navan Liqueur, Zwack Liqueur.
• Liqueurs/Fruit: Grand Marnier Liqueur, Limonce Liqueur.
• Rum: Bacardi 8 Rum, Bacardi Reserva Limitada Rum, Bacardi Select Rum, Beija Cachaca, Don Q Grand Anejo Puerto Rican Rum, Sergeant Classick Gold Hawaiian Rum, Sunset Captain Bligh Golden Rum, Vizcaya VXOP Rum.
• Vodka, Unflavored: Core Vodka, LiV Vodka, Sonnema Vodka Herb, Stawski Potato Vodka, U4RIK Vodka, Vintner’s Vodka.
• Vodka, Flavored: Firefly Lemon Tea Flavored Vodka, Kai Lychee Vodka, Me Oko Strawberry Vodka.
• Vodka, Wheat: Stolichnaya Elit, Taxi French Vodka.
• Whiskies, All: Ardbeg Ungeidal Single Malt Whisky, The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood Single Malt, Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Connemara Cask Strength Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Single Barrel Bourbon, George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Glennfiddich 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, The Glenlivet 18 Year Old, The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select.
• Whiskies, Single Malt: The Balvenie 21 Year Old Portwood, Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, The Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky.

Glenlivet portfolio a taste of history

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:53:37 +0000
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- In the wooded hills above the Glenlivet factory complex in the Scottish Highlands, the view is of history and modernity blending as smoothly as the whisky produced by Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery. As I trudged along last spring on two marked trails, one used by 19th Century distiller George Smith and one by competing smugglers of illicit whisky, I got a sense of the laborious work and persistence that has always gone into the making and distributing of the storied spirits of Scotland. From enduring onerous taxes levied by the British crown to battles over operating illegal stills to internicine battles between rival smugglers and distillers has come today’s major industry that is second only to North Sea oil drilling as far as revenue is concerned. The Glenlivet region, a valley in the Speyside area of Scotland, has for centuries been a leading producer of non-peated whiskies -- single malts and blends without that signature smoky taste of so many others. At one time, most distillers in the region appended the name “Glenlivet” to their products. But, after King George IV became smitten with George Smith’s particular spirit and asked for some of “THE” Glenlivet whisky during a visit to the region in 1822, eventually the competition was forced to drop the appellation and Smith co-opted “The Glenlivet” as his own brand name. To this day, even though the distillery moved to a larger facility just 500 yards or so away at one time, the same water source -- known as Josie’s Well -- and Scottish barley are used in the double-distilled process. Today, the Glenlivet portfolio has grown under the ownership of the international corporation Pernod Ricard to include six whiskies -- the basic 12-year-old expression, a 15-year-old French oak reserve, the Nadurra (Celtic for “natural”) 16-year-old, as well as 18- and 21-year-old expressions and, for just the past eight months, the XXV, a 25-year-old. The Glenlivet Cellar Collection also has seven releases, with the 1972 expression the latest on the market. Memories of my visit last summer to the Glenlivet operation were rekindled when I had the opportunity to take part in a tasting dinner this week, led by Glenlivet’s U.S. brand ambassador Ricky Crawford, at the Saratoga National Golf Course in Saratoga Springs, NY, at which we sampled the six whiskies. Each sample, accompanied by various small plates created by Jason Saunders, executive chef of Prime, the restaurant at the club, was treated in the same manner, with a few drops of water added to break the surface tension, the chemical shell, of the whisky and allow it to release its full aroma and flavor profile. Each of the whiskies starts out as the same basic creation. It is in the maturation process that the wonders of the whiskies are revealed. Older is not necessarily better; that is a matter of individual taste. But, older usually is more expensive simply because when a distiller ties up a product for a long time, money is not being made and the return on investment must be recouped at some point. My notes on the Glenlivet portfolio: My notes on The Glenlivet portfolio: • 12-Year-Old: Much of the signature honey and floral flavors are immediately accesible, with a soft finish leaving a trace of vanilla on the palate. Suggested retail price range: $42 and up. • 15-Year-Old French Oak: My particular favorite among the Glenlivets. It spends 12 years in used American white oak barrels, then a portion of it is matured in French Limousin oak before being returned to the whole. It is the only Glenlivet that uses French oak. It presents citrus and cedar notes in the opening nose and everything from pepper to mango on the tongue, with a long, clean slightly spicy finish. Suggested retail price range: $49 to $54. • 18-Year-Old: This is aged in American white oak, with a small amount finished in used oloroso sherry casks to make use of the softer, more porous wood that helps intensify the notes of fruit, nuts and florals, with honey, banana and almonds the most pronounced flavors. Suggested retail price: $80. • 21-Year-Old: Some charred wood comes through from the used American oak casks, along with slightly more fruit and spiciness than in the 18. The color runs to deep amber, and the flavor profile to pears, spiced oranges and vanilla with a delicate yet lingering finish. Suggested retail price: $100 to $112. • Nadurra: This is a cask strength whisky (115.2 proof, or 56.1% alcohol by volume) best sampled as a 3-to-1 water-to-whisky mixture. It is non-chill filtered, which means it could get cloudy on the shelf. Nothing wrong with that. The flavor is light, yet crisp, quickly giving way to intense notes of honey and toffee. Long, lingering finish. Suggested retail price: $60 to $65. • XXV: This is 23 years in American white oak, two years in oloroso sherry casks, and worth the wait. A creamy orange and honey flavor, with definite elements of almonds and ginger in a complex structure. Suggested retail price: $330 and up.