The Spirit World

Spend any time touring bourbon country, or reading its history, and you’ll quickly learn that distilleries and brands, long-lived though they may be, do not operate under constant ownership. A brand with a historic tie to a distillery might move to another company, or a conglomerate might acquire or sell a famous brand. And all of this can happen several times in a whiskey’s life.

Buffalo Trace has acquired the E.H. Taylor brand, along with its product inventory, from Beam Global. E.H. Taylor  the distiller, first produced E.H. Taylor the bourbon in what is now the Buffalo Trace distillery in Frankfurt, KY. so this shuffling of brand and barrels amounts to a homecoming. Taylor, a great nephew of 12th US president Zachary Taylor, purchased the Frankfurt distillery in 1870 and eventually named it OFC, for Old Fire Copper. though Taylor eventually sold the distillery, the brand continued under new ownerhip. In the small world of Kentucky bourbon distilling, it has now come full circle.

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One of Australia’s most renowned wine brands, Penfolds, is hosting a vertical tasting of Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz on 22nd June 2009 from Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France.  Lead by Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago, the same wines will be sampled simultaneously across the globe, via an interactive webcast.

Six different vintages of Penfolds Bin 389, often referred to as ‘Baby Grange’, will be tasted at events in the US, Germany, Australia, the UK, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sweden, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea.  Attendees will assess for themselves the longevity of this quintessential Australian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz with vintages including 1976, 1985, 1991, 1998, 2002 and 2006.
 
“New World winemakers have often strayed from convention in the way wine is traditionally made, so it stands to reason that we are doing the same with this original mode of wine tasting,” says Peter Gago.

“Throughout this webcast, people across the world will collectively - in real time - be sampling six different vintages of one of Australia’s most iconic wines, Penfolds Bin 389, which has only just been vintaged for the 50th consecutive year. And yes, it’s symbolic that we’ll be broadcasting the tasting from Bordeaux, the heart of Old World Wine. Ideally, participants will witness the graceful aging of a New World wine style.”

Wine lovers will have the chance to view the footage from the tasting from 23rd June.

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According to the World Whiskies Awards, Highland Park 21 year old is the World’s Best Single Malt.

“An irresistible mix of dark grungey smoke and light sweet fruit. If you could barbeque a tin of Del Monte exotic fruits this is what it would taste like. Stunning.” Dominic Roskrow

“Big, fruity nose, dried fruits, dried herbs; waxy mouthfeel, sweet taste, crystalline sugar; mouth-cooling. A cracker!” Charlie MacLean

“Sun heated pebbles. A marine and spicy breeze. Hints of soot. Oysters with a dash of Tabasco. Powerful, uncompromising, wild. Superb.” Martine Nouet

And, as if that wasn’t enough, the same judges at the same awards voted Highland Park 40 year old the World’s Best New Release.

“I guess these awards say something about the entire Highland Park range; the two newest expressions have won these prestigious and significant awards. Talk about a squad with strength in depth.”

For more information about the World Whiskies Awards visit www.whiskymag.com/awards/wwa/

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New UK online wine retailer www.nakedwines.com has recruited its 20,000th new customer just 6 months after launching.

Kevan Evans, from Fife, Scotland, signed-up to become a Naked Wine Angel, a scheme which allows customers to sponsor indivudal winemakers looking to break into the UK market.

“Naked Wines is really rather different to any other wine retailer I’ve come across before, and very refreshing!” explained Kevin. “I’ve ordered from Laithwaites and Tescos.com in the past, but often found myself confronted with un-expected cases turning up on my doorstep, full of wines I didn’t choose. Naked Wines allows me to set aside a small amount of money each month, which I can spend when I feel like it, on the wines I want.  Kind of like a personal bottle saving plan! I also like the idea of buying from smaller producers.”

“Kevin was sent a case of champagne in celebration, and we’ll be popping the champagne corks too,” said Rowan Gormley, founder of Naked Wines.

To find out more about Naked Wines, who offer Next Day Delivery throughout the UK for £4.99, visit www.nakedwines.com or call 01603 281 800.
Naked Wines offerings have featured on Spittoon recently, including two new Australian wines and the wines from Chilean producer Angel’s Share.

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Does your almanac include International Cachaça Day. Honestly, mine doesn’t either, but if you embrace the current enthusiasm or Cachaça, and have been wondering how to use it when you’re not in the mood for a caipirinha, an update might be in order.

Sure, International Cachaça Day is a promotional vehicle for Brazil’s national beverage, but there’s a colonial back story! It was started by Sociedade Brasileira da Cachaça, a Brasilian government organization. It was created to commemorate June 12th, 1744: the day when Portugal, then the colonial authority in Brazil, outlawed the production and sale of cachaça. and I’ll bet that was thirsty work.

The caipirinha is the cocktail most often associated with Cachaça, particularly outside its native land. But here are a couple of cocktails you might want to sip on June 12 as you celebrate International Cachaça Day. These recipes were offered up by the folks ac Cabana Cachaça.

The Marpessa

• 1 oz Cachaça
• 3/4 oz Orchard Pear Liqueur
• 1/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/4 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz aloe vera

Combine with ice in a cocktail shaker, Shake and strain into a chilled, tall cocktail glass, garnished with a thinly sliced lime wheel.

Feeling tropical?

Beach Comber

• 1 oz Cabana Cachaça
• 1 oz Veev Acai liqueur
• 1 oz kiwi puree
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup

Shake with ice and pour into a cocktail glass.

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To kick off its new line of specialty tequilas, Gran Centenario is serving up a selection of summer cocktails. Gran Centenario’s new tequilas are: Azul Reposado and Rosangel. And while we’re talking about exoctic new tequilas, Maestro Dobel, which bills itself as the world’s first “diamond” tequila, offers up a cocktail of its own.”

First up, a beyond-basic drink, for tequila fans on a budget.

The Azul Paloma

• 1.5 oz. Azul Reposado tequila
• Fresca (or similar sparkling drink)

Pour Azul into Collins glass full of ice.  Top with Fresca, stir, and garnish with lime

The Rosangel Ruby Fizz

• 2 oz Rosangel tequila
• .5 oz agave syrup
• .5 oz ruby port
• 1 bar spoon pomegranate molasses
• .25 oz lemon juice
• .5 oz egg white

Shake all ingredients with ice, and strain into a highball glass with one large ice cube.  Top with club soda and garnish with a cherry.

Here’s what Gran Centenario says about the Rosangel Ruby Fizz

“This exquisite cocktail from mixologist extraordinaire Julie Reiner (Flatiron Lounge and Clover Club - NYC), uses Rosangel, the first-ever hibiscus infused tequila, made from a reposado base, and rested in port barrels for an additional two months.:

Maestro Maria Verde

• 3 2-inch slices celery
• Loose handful of cilantro
• 2 oz Maestro Dobel tequila
• .25 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
• .75 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz ginger ale

In a pint glass, muddle celery & cilantro, then add all spirits & mixers. Shake vigorously for six seconds, add ginger ale. Strain over fresh ice in Collins glass, garnish with celery stalk. Maestro Dobel’s diamond tequila is a filtered blend of reposado, anejo, and extra anejo tequilas.

“The Maestro’s version of the Bloody Mary: crisp, cool and green.  Created by Pablo Moix of STK and Coco De Ville in Los Angeles, this wildly original and refreshing cocktail uses Maestro Dobel the world’s first-ever “diamond” clear-aged tequila.  It is a blend of reposado, anejo, and extra-anejo tequilas,”

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A new premium 18 Years Old Islay Single Malt Whisky, SMOKEHEAD EXTRA BLACK is launching in the UK.

Building on the success of the multi award-winning Smokehead Single Malt which launched in 2006, Extra Black takes the DNA of the core brand to the next level, reflecting the luxury and limited edition status of this 18 Years Old matured whisky.

Created to appeal to the discerning and adventurous drinker, the contemporary frosted black squat bottle features silver letterpress type applied directly to the glass ensures it stand out presence adding a spot of sophistication and visually differentiating Extra Black as the premium product in the Smokehead range.

Despite its 18 years maturation giving Extra Black a slightly more mellow flavour than the original Smokehead Islay Single Malt, Extra Black is certainly not for the faint hearted. A neck-booklet provides tasting notes, bringing to life the rich, complex and peaty flavours of this distinctive Single Malt. Instantly full of peat smoke with hints of ginger and mint, the taste starts light and briny with gentle cloves, before building with flavours of vanilla and cocoa, creating a rounded and smooth mouthfeel. The finish brings together the ever present smoke with rich dark chocolate and kiwi fruit undertones.

A stylish and robust matt black flight case with silver Smokehead logo, reaffirms that this product is every inch, ‘Extra Black’. While the individual numbering of each bottle, highlights the product’s rare, limited edition status.

Limited stock of Smokehead Extra Black 18 Years Old Islay Single Malt is now available from specialist suppliers throughout the UK and online, RRP £85. For further details visit www.smokehead.co.uk

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For the first time in its 175 year history, award-winning Glengoyne Distillery is to release its oldest, most valuable, and very best, Highland Single Malt: the Glengoyne 40 Years Old. 

The embodiment of Glengoyne’s famed unpeated and authentic ‘Real Taste of Malt’, the natural strength 40 Years Old Highland Single Malt is regarded by the distillery to be one of the finest whiskies they have ever produced.   Its superior quality and flavour reflecting Glengoyne’s long standing commitment and enthusiasm for their craft and heritage.

Every detail of the design and presentation of the Limited Edition Single Malt was carefully considered to reflect the outstanding character and craftsmanship of the Glengoyne 40 Years Old. Even the producer of the stunning hand blown crystal decanter, Glencairn Crystal, a well-respected independent Scottish family company, was specially selected for its shared values with Glengoyne.

The shape of the crystal decanter creates a strong visual feature of the 40 Years Old Single Malt’s dark copper colour, complemented by gold engraving. Each decanter’s individual number, engraved in the base, is accompanied by an etching of Scotland’s most beautiful distillery, reflecting up through the malt itself. 

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By the time the last person had managed to squeeze into Gallery 11/12 at ExCel, London, last Wednesday, it was standing room only. The trade’s response to the ‘Wine and the Web: the Business of Getting Social’ LIWF briefing presented by Catavino Marketing, The Wine Conversation and Bibendum Wine Ltd was fantastic, proving what a hot topic this is at the moment.

One look at the RSVP and attendance lists shows how widely it appealed with wineries, importers, wine shops, journalists, restaurants and PR executives filling the 175 seats. Ryan Opaz of Catavino Marketing opened the proceedings by talking about the history of social media, the birth of blogging and the launch of social networks.

“If you are involved in the wine business in anyway, you know it’s complicated to get your wine brand out to the consumer. Social media has opened up the opportunities for the conversation to happen. A powerful way to reach consumers, influencers etc. We’re not saying that social media is replacing what’s happening now. We’re talking about something that adds to it.” Ryan Opaz

Then Rob McIntosh of The Wine Conversation talked about the future of the social wine brand and specifically the idea that brand managers have less control over their brand in the marketplace than ever before. If it’s out there then people will be talking about it. Companies need to be part of that conversation in order to influence it. Social wine note sites like Adegga and Snooth mean that people can very easily share information about a wine, leading to new ways for users to influence others’ purchasing behaviour.

“Normal people chatting about your wine can influence all of their friends, community, and communities around the world. Your brand is being influenced. In the social wine channels online you no longer have the same power you had in traditional marketing channels. Join the conversation online. Interact, communicate, be with them, and let your online fans build a relationship with you.” Rob McIntosh

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Wines of Germany and the European Union present the fifth annual Riesling Week, May 18-24th. During the week, restaurants and wine retailers from coast to coast will celebrate Riesling from Germany, Austria and Alsace as the perfect complement to any warm-weather meal.  Restaurants in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas and Miami will offer European Riesling specials, including by-the-glass selections and food-pairing menus.  Wine retailers will host European Riesling tastings in participating cities. More information can be found at www.destinationriesling.com/week.

European Riesling is known for its incredible elegance, versatility, unrivaled quality and harmonious balance of fruit and acidity.  It is the fastest growing white varietal in the U.S. and is consistently named as the first choice for white wines by sommeliers nationwide.

“Since Riesling can range from bone dry to seductively sweet, its diverse nature suits a variety of dishes and pallets, making it an ideal choice for sommeliers and consumers alike,” said Alex Hasbany, General Manager of Spice Market NYC.

Over 100 top restaurants and retailers in New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami and Chicago have signed on to promote European Riesling during this national celebration. 

“This year marks the fifth anniversary of our very successful Riesling Week promotion,” said Monika Reule, Deutsches Weininstitut (DWI) Director.” By offering Riesling specials, such as tastings and pairing menus, restaurants and retailers are exposing customers to the unique strengths and qualities world-class Riesling from Germany, Austria and Alsace.”

The Riesling Week promotion is part of a three-year “Destination Riesling” campaign, underwritten by Wines of Germany and the European Union, to market European Riesling in the U.S. The campaign seeks to increase interest and awareness for European Riesling among consumers and the trade.

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