Liquor-articles 2020

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Meili Vodka, originating from Montana, has been awarded Best in Show vodka scoring an impressive 95 points.

The third annual TAG Global Spirits Awards in Las Vegas just concluded, and over the coming days, I’m looking forward to sharing notable highlights with you, starting with the top-rated vodka featured above. But first, let’s brief you on what precisely TAG is and why their evaluations matter.

Marking its presence in the crowded domain of spirits award shows is TAG, an acronym for Tony Abou-Ganim, who penned the work The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails & Vodka Distilled. He invested years on the esteemed panels of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, often considered the grail of all, before launching this one together with Julio Bermejo, an expert on tequila and currently the beverage manager of the iconic Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant, and David Graphsi, a significant figure in international spirits supplies and distribution. They’re joined by around a dozen more industry stalwarts, among them Dale DeGroff and Charlotte Voisey.

Sean Ludford, the executive director, says that “TAG is unlike others”. This year’s panel dedicated specific time to taste and identify those unique attributes that distinguish one product from others. Ultimately, they appraise each product based on a five-point scale of Sapidity — a Latin term meaning to possess and manifest flavour, taste, and savouriness.

That metric was applied to hundreds of bottlings to narrow all entries down to 56 “Best In Shows,” 99 “Finalists,” and 86 “Best Buys.” The Finalist and Best Buy classifications were both introduced in the 2024 awards.

When the time came to taste all the vodka, one bottle was conspicuously superior. The champion (scoring 95 out of 100 possible points) was Meili, a boutique brand that originates from the rugged mountains of Western Montana. The 80-proof spirit, pronounced (MAY-lee), was launched in early 2023 by actor Jason Momoa and his longtime friend and craftsman Blaine Halvorson. The brand creates uniqueness by sourcing farm fresh grains as close to the distillery as possible, and by using one of the “purest water sources on earth” — as determined by EPA standards.

Momoa, who is actually a considerable scotch enthusiast himself, was persuaded to join the venture after Halvorson convinced him that a well-crafted vodka can indeed be sippable—and flavorful—alone, even without adding ice. It’s all about the excellence of the base ingredients. While Meili doesn’t disclose the precise grains used, it’s suspected that some corn is in the distillate due to the subtle sweetness it has (and because it identifies as gluten-free). It has a lovely hint of vanilla on the nose, and there’s a delightful hint of candied citrus zest on the palate.

What you won’t detect here are any traces of ethanol burn. This is an enjoyable pour from the aroma to the finish. It’s easy to understand how it captivated the professional palates at TAG. You can form your own opinion, by purchasing a bottle of the spirit for $30. Recognizable on shelves due to its shiny, slightly iridescent packaging, made entirely from post-consumer recycled glass.

Stay tuned for more Best In Show outcomes from the TAG Global Spirits Awards in the upcoming days!

MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: A sighting of Blaine Halvorson and Jason Momoa at Total Wine & More. They are promoting Meili Vodka at Grove Central on January 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photographed by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images)

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Melanie Camp, Reporter

HOUSTON – All you need is three ingredients and you’ve got a delicious cocktail The three ingredient Monte Carlo is a simple and delicious whiskey-based cocktail that is super easy for you to mix up at home!

Ahead of World Whiskey Day, Houston Life’s Melanie Camp swung by EADO bar, Lightnin’s Good Times where bartender Richard Garcia walked her through making a Monte Carlo.

This cocktail has been around since before Prohibition and Garcia suggests that when it comes to picking a Whiskey for your mix, “Old Forester is a good choice. It’s not too expensive and easy to find.”

The Monte Carlo is an off-menu item but if you ask, any of the bartenders can make one for you.

Watch the video above and learn the steps if you plan to make a Monte Carlo at home.

2 oz Rye Whiskey

0.5 oz Benedictine

2 dashes of Angostura bitters

A twist of orange is an optional but highly recommended addition!

If you aren’t already familiar, Lightnin’s is the newest bar venture from the Agricole Hospitality team. You may know some of their other spots, Eight Row Flint and EZ’s Liquor Lounge.

Lightnin’s is in the heart of East Downtown. Not only is the bar walking distance from George R. Brown Convention Center, but it is also super close to Minute Maid Park and Shell Energy Stadium, making it the perfect place to celebrate before or after an Astros, Dynamo, or Dash game.

The address for your GPS is: 1201 St Emanuel Street, Houston TX 77003.

Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.

Kō Hana Distillery takes considerable pride in the fact that they own the largest sugar cane farm in Hawai‘i and have the capability to produce rum directly from the plant, remarks farm manager Jakob Dewald.

What truly sets us apart from the rest is that our product is created directly from the cane juice. We do not use molasses, nor do we import products – it’s essentially farm to bottle procedure, he explains.

The farm of Kō Hana located in Hale‘iwa has seen remarkable growth from merely one-quarter of an acre about a decade ago to a whopping 350 acres today, reveals Kyle Reutner, the distillery’s General Manager.

According to Reutner, the process of converting sugar cane into rum can span approximately 15 months or even longer, depending on the desired flavor. The distillery’s most popular product is its Kokoleka rum, which is infused with cacao and honey.

Dewald says the farm has over 34 varieties of sugar cane. When workers harvest the cane, he says, they try to use regenerative practices like leaving plant matter in the fields to preserve nutrients instead of burning them.

“We don’t just grow sugar cane and treat it as a crop,” says Dewald. “We grow it for the future of agriculture in Hawai‘i.”

The O‘ahu-based producer has collaborated with notables like Martin Scorsese, Olivia Colman, Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Brie Larson among other stardom.

An ex-Navy aircraft-engine mechanic and the winner of 2024 SmallBiz Editor’s Choice Award, Bubba Smith is the owner who spectrums his work across various vehicles from Hondas to Ferraris.

Doc Swinson’s, a whiskey company born and raised in Ferndale, recently claimed five awards from the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, an international alcohol-judging event.

The local company was started in 2017 by a group of friends — some lifelong Whatcom County residents and a few Western Washington University graduates.

“We’re not a typical producer that most people are used to; we are not a distillery, and we do not have a tasting room,” co-founder Keith Seidel told The Bellingham Herald in 2023. “Instead, we’re focusing on the art of bringing old-world blending techniques to the very traditional American craft of bourbon and rye whiskey. We intentionally source the best spirits we can find to blend, age and finish in house to create something that is better than a sum of its parts.”

Doc Swinson’s won four double gold medals and one gold medal at the competition.

“This achievement highlights the company’s mastery in blending and finishing bourbon, establishing it as a leader among the industry’s elite,” a news release from the company states.

These products won the double gold medals:

● Doc Swinson’s Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey, a 100-proof whiskey aged for at least seven years that is made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley.

● Doc Swinson’s Golden Hour Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Rum and Port Casks, a 98-proof whiskey with tasting notes of brown sugar, banana bread and raspberry.

▪ Doc Swinson’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Moscatel Casks, a 115-proof whiskey blend of two bourbons aged for five years with tasting notes of caramel and stone fruits.

▪ Doc Swinson’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted French Oak Casks, a 108-proof whiskey that won the Finished Bourbon of the Year at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition is aged for years in American white oak and then new French oak to create tasting notes of vanilla buttercream, orange, toffee and baking spices.

Doc Swinson’s won a gold medal for L’Esprit, a 114-proof bourbon whiskey that is aged in oak for five years, with notes of honey, raisins, creme brulee, dark chocolate and dried tobacco.

Doc Swinson whiskeys can be purchased online at the company’s website and at local stores such as Haggen, Whole Foods Market and BevMo.

Some Bellingham restaurants and bars also serve Doc Swinson’s whiskeys, including The Temple Bar, The Admiralty Lounge, Bantam Kitchen & Bar, Scotty Browns, Redlight Kitchen & Bar and The Blue Abode Bar.

There are contrasting accounts regarding the debut of the Snow Cone. Some believe that Texan Samuel “King Sammie” Bert first introduced it at the 1919 Texas State Fair. On the other hand, there are stories of children in 1850s Baltimore pleading with ice wagons to scrape off a bit of ice for them, which their parents later flavored. This history can be deliberated over a Snow Cone Cocktail with a boozy syrup. Be sure to try the Blueberry-Bourbon and the Mango-Tequila variants.

The recipe goes as follows:

Quantity: 1 cup

Preparation Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 2 hours 30 mins

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 c. fresh raspberries, plus more for garnish

3 tbsp.

fresh lemon juice

2 oz.

chilled vodka

Combine sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in raspberries and lemon juice. Cool to room temperature. Puree mixture in a blender until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on solids to remove as much liquid as possible; discard solids. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 5 days.

Stir 6 tablespoons syrup and vodka in a glass measuring cup. Pulse 2 cups ice cubes on the crush setting in a blender until shaved. Immediately scoop ice halfway full into a chilled coupe glass. Drizzle with half of syrup. Top with remaining shaved ice, mounding the ice over the rim of the glass. Drizzle with remaining syrup. Serve immediately with raspberries for garnish. Makes 1 serving.

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Acclaimed whiskey brand, The Dalmore, is headed to Sotheby’s with a one-of-a-kind release that marries the worlds of spirits, art, and design.

More from Variety

This 70-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky Is Going Up for Auction to Pay Tribute to the Queen

“The Rare” is a 49-year-old Highland Single Malt Whiskey preserved in a unique amber glass sculpture, designed by Melodie Leung, a director at Zaha Hadid Architects. Initially unveiled in March as a part of The Dalmore’s Luminary Series, the “Luminary No.2 The Rare” is predicted to fetch six figures at auction, with The Dalmore donating all proceeds to V&A Dundee.

This collaboration is a collector’s piece for both whiskey lovers and art enthusiasts alike. It presents one of The Dalmore’s finest spirits — a 49-year-old single malt matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks, then finished in an assemblage, which includes a unique Port Colheita Pipe 1963, a 30-year-old Apostoles Sherry Cask, and hand-selected bourbon barrels. The liquor is finished in a 1951 virgin oak cask and further “bespoke toasted” by The Dalmore’s master maker Gregg Glass himself.

Bottled at 40.6% ABV, anticipate the taste notes of vanilla, dark berries, and roasted chestnuts with elements of sugared almonds, plums, and wood cacao.

The accompanying sculpture is composed of a seamless piece of glass that swirls and loops around the bottle without a clear start or finish point. As Leung clarified in a launch event to celebrate the alliance in Los Angeles last month, the sculpture draws inspiration from the interaction of flavor and form, and the sense of unity and gathering that stems from the ritual of sharing a drink.

“The sculpture we created for The Rare was inspired by our fascinating discussions around the interaction and flow of flavor notes in the whisky-making process, including the unique silhouettes of the copper stills,” Leung says, in a release. “It mirrors the multiple layers of aging and blending that went into creating this whisky, which is the exquisite product of nature channelled over time.”

Indeed, Leung’s piece took more than three months to produce, with handmade moulds created for the glass to shape its unique curves and sloping silhouette. The glass was heated in a specially-sourced kiln and then cooled — one degree at a time — over a 12-week period. The resulting piece weighs a whopping 80 kg.

The Sotheby’s auction runs from May 14-31 in London, presented as part of the auction house’s “Luxury Edit.” Only three decanter bottles and two sculptures were created. After the first set is auctioned off, a second set will be displayed at The Dalmore distillery in the Highlands, with a third bottle held for release at a later date.

While “The Rare” is a strictly one-off release (for now), fans of The Dalmore can spring for a bottle of “The Collectible,” a 16-year-old single malt that draws inspiration from both “The Rare” whiskey and sculpture. Limited to just 20,000 bottles worldwide, “The Collectible” is part of The Dalmore Luminary Series 2024 and .

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Food and Dining Reporter

Happy Raptor

A New Orleans distillery that opened just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic will close its doors for good this week after four years in business and is hoping to help their employees find new jobs.

Happy Raptor Distilling is leaving the Crescent City Friday with a farewell toast and party to celebrate the end of their chapter.

Happy Raptor launched in February 2020, producing 504Rum and 504Syrups using Louisiana molasses.

The distillery is also committed to contributing back to society. It has given over $100,000 in direct funds, goods, services back to the New Orleans community, partnering with over 100 local nonprofits.

“Saying goodbye to this amazing company and incredible team is heartbreaking,” stated co-founder Meagen Moreland-Taliancich. “We built a support corner during some of the most challenging years our community has ever faced, and we had the resources to help and act for others when everything seemed grim.”

Any established plans involving their brand will be respected by the distillery after its closure. Furthermore, the owners are eager to assist nonprofit leaders in need of office supplies, plastic cups, toiletries, or other resources the distillery can offer.

The company said on its website that it couldn’t finacially stay open any longer. All workers have been compensated, and management is making an effort to help them find new employment.

“From the our first day in business, we’ve been barely avoiding losses. It seemed like we were always just this close to achieving success, but then another catastrophe would hit. We’ve come to understand that no one is coming to rescue us,” said co-founder Mark Taliancich.

The company is inviting their supporters to drop by in the next few days to purchase their favorite spirits and syrups before they’re all gone.

Keep up with Where NOLA Eats on Instagram at @wherenolaeats, join the Where NOLA Eats community on Facebook at Where NOLA Eats Facebook group, or sign up for the free biweekly Where NOLA Eats newsletter.

Email Chelsea Shannon at cshannon@theadvocate.com.

The daily work of the Made in New Orleans Foundation is about building racial equity in the local hospitality sector. Once again in November, …

Food and Dining Reporter

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May 14—Weber Ranch 1902 Vodka has found its place in Cooke County.

Round 2 Spirits, LLC is creating the new vodka from the agave plant, typically linked with tequila. The agave is cultivated in Jalisco, Mexico and later distilled in Muenster.

“In our quest to find the perfect distilling location for Weber Ranch, we carried out a detailed search throughout the nation,” shared Lee Applbaum, the President and COO of Round 2 Spirits. “Upon reaching Muenster, we instantaneously felt this was the place we desired to call home.”

A significant factor that led to Weber Ranch establishing in Muenster was the welcoming community.

“Muenster … along with Gainesville and the broader community is amazing, from local officials all the way to other business people and community residents,” expressed Applbaum. “The gratitude I feel towards the people, be it from Gainesville, Muenster or anywhere in the area is immense. The curiosity displayed, the questions asked, the excitement shown, the offers of assistance we received, were not merely trades for potential businesses; they were genuine offers driven by excitement at our bringing something new to the community.”

Round 2 Spirits aspires to be a part of the community and reciprocate the warmth that they have received.

“We understand that we need to earn our place in the community. Having a splendid distillery and doing business there doesn’t entitle us to anything, so we’re keeping that in mind,” conveyed Applbaum. “This isn’t like a big city where you have the option to disappear into the crowd; you need to be transparent, honest and follow through on the promises made.”

With the naming of Weber Ranch Vodka, Round 2 Spirits aimed to evoke a sense of Americana and rural communities.

“Leaving the big city, going out to some of these amazing communities across America where there’s just good, honest, hard-working men and women; as we thought about our brand name, how that brand name would come to life at the the distillery location was important,” said Applbaum. “Texas, more broadly, and then Muenster more specifically has all of that character, that charm, that history, the honesty and sensibility about it that really resonates with the brand.”

The distillery in Muenster also made an ideal location for Weber Ranch due to the quality of water and the physical distillery.

“Trinity aquifer produces beautiful water that had the right balance for creating Weber Ranch,” said Applbaum. “The building is very large, which allows us to be able to scale and grow, and the copper stills that are there are amazing and make a beautiful Weber Ranch vodka.”

Agave

The group behind Round 2 Spirits previously worked together to create and build Patrón Tequila, equipping them with great experience in agave and the distillery industry. This familiarity inspired the making of Weber Ranch Vodka, an exciting deviation that introduces the classically tequila-associated ingredient to the vodka distilling process.

“Blue Weber Agave is a truly unique plant that results in a remarkable spirit, not relegated to just tequila,” says Antonio Rodriguez in a press release. Rodriguez, Weber Ranch’s master distiller and former production director at Patrón Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico continues stating, “While Weber Ranch Vodka is indeed a vodka, our use of agave allows us to formulate subtle, smooth flavor notes of tropical fruit and citrus. This unique blend not only enhances classic vodka cocktails but lends itself perfectly to traditional agave-based drinks such as a ranch water or paloma. The immense versatility of this spirit is what makes it extraordinary.’

“We were fully aware of what Blue Weber Agave could produce in tequila. If you apply a different process to it, the result can be a truly exceptional vodka that’s fresh, bright, and clean,” relayed Applbaum. “Although difficult to craft due to the nearly seven-year growth period of agave … it requires a lot of patience, time, and commitment, it’s more costly, but you definitely reap the benefits of your investment.. It’s a completely unique experience.”

Weber Ranch Vodka is gluten-free, carb-free and additive-free. It’s distilled with just agave and water. For more information about the vodka. visit weberranch.com, and for more information about the company behind the vodka, visit round2spirits.com.

Noted Irish dancer Michael Flatley has introduced Flatley Whiskey: The Dreamer – his inaugural signature Irish whiskey from a series of unique blends.

The Irish whiskey is developed in collaboration with master blender Noel Sweeney and distilled at the Great Northern Distillery.

Flatley expressed, “Irish whiskey, similar to Irish dance, encapsulates the core of Ireland— its past, its spirit, and its potential to unite people in festivity.

“With ‘The Dreamer’, we’re capturing the essence of Irish custom, the dreams that energize us and the individuals that inspire us.”

Flatley Whiskey has signed a distribution deal in Ireland with premium spirits distributor Dalcassian Wines & Spirits who are stocking bars, hotels, and independent stores across Ireland.

Irish grocery retailer SuperValu is also offering the whiskey in over 175 stores across the country.

Conor O’Flynn, SuperValu whiskey buyer, stated, “We champion all Irish producers and we’re proud to stock some of Ireland’s newest and most exclusive Irish whiskey brands. This is a truly appealing whiskey blended in conjunction with one of the best master-blenders, Noel Sweeney.

“It offers exquisite taste and premium quality, and excellent value. We are confident that our customers will really value this addition to our spirits selection.”

The whiskey is expected to hit the international market soon, starting with a premiere release in the United States during the upcoming summer.

Committed to perfection, Michael Flatley involved himself in every step, from blending to designing the bottle that houses Flatley Irish Whiskey.

Flatley, a noted collector of the Irish Whiskey, conceptualized the idea of this drink during the renovation of his residence, Castlehyde, located in Cork.

The owned Sweeney made a comment stating, “This exquisite five-year-old triple-cask blend is a fusion of grain whiskey and a twice-distilled malt, matured in former casks of bourbon, port, and Pedro Ximenez sherry. The result is a perfect representation of the traditional Irish Whiskey, having smooth complexity.”

Each whiskey bottle adorns the Flatley family crest, honouring his father, who continues to be his greatest hero.

“Irish Whiskey was a favourite of my father’s. It was through his passion that I came to appreciate its complex flavours. So, it’s a very proud moment to launch Flatley Irish Whiskey, as I know he will be smiling down on me,” Flatley added.

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By Diebold Nixdorf

By KNAPP

By Lobster Council of Canada

KALAHEO KAUAI, Hawaii, May 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Known as “The Spirit of Aloha” and The Ultra Premium Rum of the Las Vegas Raiders, Koloa Rum Company is delighted to announce the launch of its new Rum Rusher Hawaiian Rum Cocktail in collaboration with the Las Vegas Raiders. This exciting partnership marks the continuation of a thrilling union between the two iconic brands, allowing fans to experience the fusion of Hawaii culture and Raiders spirit.

Packaged in a convenient four-pack, Raider Nation can purchase the Rum Rusher at multiple liquor stores throughout Nevada and Utah. In addition, individual Rum Rusher cans will be available for purchase at the Koloa Rum Company Store in Lihue, HI.

The Rum Rusher Cocktail is a result of a dynamic ongoing partnership between Koloa Rum and world-renowned mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. As one of the leading bar professionals and industry pioneers, Abou-Ganim’s expertise has been instrumental in crafting this unique and flavorful cocktail.

Boasting 15% ALC/VOL, the Rum Rusher is a harmonious blend of Koloa White Hawaiian Rum, natural flavors such as orange, pineapple, and lime juice, as well as organic agave syrup. It will be available in sets of four 12 fl. oz. cans (355 ml).

“The Rum Rusher Cocktail is a testament to our commitment to creativity and innovation, and embodies the essence of Koloa Rum and the Raiders,” said Bob Gunter, president and CEO of Koloa Rum Company.

Koloa Rum invites fans to taste the bartender version of the Rum Rusher at the Twitch Lounge and concourse bars inside Allegiant Stadium.

Koloa Rum encourages fans to drink responsibly. To find the Rum Rusher near you, visit KoloaRum.com.

See HERE for high-res image. Courtesy of Koloa Rum Company.

About Koloa Rum Company
Established in 2009, Koloa Rum Company produces artisanal, single-batch Hawaiian rum and ready-to-drink cocktails at its distillery in Kalaheo, Kauai and operates the island’s first and only distilled spirits Tasting Room and Company Store. The company’s award-winning portfolio includes its premium Kauai White, Gold, Dark, Spice, Coconut, Cacao and Coffee rums in addition to ready-to-drink cocktails. Products are available for purchase online, at select retailers nationwide, and in Western Canada, Italy, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, France, the UK, Ukraine and Japan. For more information, visit https://koloarum.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jenerate PR
Jennifer Polito
Dianne Mercado
jennifer@jeneratepr.com
dianne@jeneratepr.com
(808) 281-2088

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/koloa-rum-company-unveils-exclusive-rum-rusher-cocktail-to-commemorate-partnership-with-the-las-vegas-raiders-302141936.html

SOURCE Koloa Rum Company