Discover the Spirit: A Detailed Explanation of 9 Different Vodka Types
Pouring vodka shots
Without vodka we wouldn’t have the
the trendy espresso Martini
or the legendary massive comopolitan cocktail
Ina Garten shared on her Instagram in April 2020. The clear spirit with the neutral flavor is a popular booze for cocktails because it plays well with many mixers,
but not all vodkas are the same, which is why you’ll see many different vodka brands at your local bar.
There isn’t just one singular type of vodka, but different ones based on location and ingredients and which one you prefer depends on what you like and
how you’re using the spirit.
“It’s all about creating a match made in *your* cocktail heaven,” says
brand ambassador for
“Price is only sometimes an indicator of quality: Expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better regarding vodka. It’s always worth trying different brands and price ranges to find one you enjoy.”
To help you narrow down your choices and make your next trip to the liquor store a bit easier,
we chatted with drink experts to break down 9 of the most popular types of vodka based on their ingredients,
country of origin, flavor profile and more.
Related: 5 Different Types of Tequila, Explained
Making vodka has plenty of nuance, but for the purposes of this discussion, we’ll try to distill (pun intended) it down for you. Vodka starts with your base ingredient (often a grain, though it could be potatoes or molasses), water and yeast. That mixture is fermented for a couple of weeks, then strained. The liquid from the fermentation process is distilled, filtered, diluted with water and bottled.
Related: 9 Popular Costco Liquors, Ranked From the Bottom(s) Up
Eldefri states that vodkas made from grains such as rye exhibit a spicier character with robust, earthy undertones. He goes on to say that in contrast to other types of vodka, this sort is typically more lean and dry.
In terms of cocktail orders, rye vodka is particularly well-suited to certain drinks. Alissa Marinello, a bartender at the Vivamee Hospitality properties of Renault Winery & Resort and LBI National in New Jersey, suggests that a dirty vodka martini is a prime example. In this instance, the subtle and dry rye vodka complements the tangy hint of olive juice exceptionally well.
Contrary to what some may expect, the vodka itself is not derived from fruit. The fruity flavor is introduced after the distillation process. Eldefri notes that many contemporary brands offer flavored varieties with the add-ons of fruits or herbs infused post-distillation. Common fruit vodka flavors incorporate melon, strawberry, blueberry, lemon, raspberry, lime, and orange.
Marinello advises against using artificial ingredients and coloring and suggests creating a homemade flavored vodka. She says, “Rather, empty any standard vodka into a jar with your preferred fruit.” She also suggests allowing the vodka to soak for at least three days, and up to seven. After infusing the vodka with fruit, strain it into a jar or bottle and start concocting cocktails!
While corn is a widely enjoyed dinner item for many, this sweet vegetable is also a well-liked component in vodka. Eldefri describes, “Corn-based vodkas are acclaimed for their calm and slightly sweet taste, which pairs well with a silky mouthfeel and hints of vanilla or buttery nuances.”
If you’re in the mood for a martini, Eldefri suggests using a corn-based vodka for a timeless cocktail like the martini, allowing the drink to truly shine.
As you may wonder, no, potato vodka doesn’t taste like fries or mashed potatoes. Eldefri states, “Potato-based vodkas are valued for their creamy, heavy texture, contributing a subtly earthy and nutty flavor.”
Potato vodka is a perfect match for savory foods, which includes certain types of cheeses and meats. So consider this pairing the next time you’re dining out or throwing a dinner party.
If looking for a smooth vodka experience, you could consider trying a spirit made from molasses. Molasses-based vodkas, often seen in rum production, deliver a slightly sweeter and more layered taste. It features hints of molasses and caramel, and these caramel notes make this vodka variety pleasant in a creamy cocktail, like a white Russian.
According to expert opinion, flavored vodka can be fun to experiment with since you can come up with more complex cocktails using fewer ingredients. However, it’s advisable to avoid this vodka type if you suffer from gluten allergy as it often has artificial flavorings added after distillation, which can include this common allergen.
As for the variety of flavors, there’s a wide range, but several fit into the citrusy (such as lemonade, grapefruit) or fruity (like strawberry, blueberry) categories.
In addition to the base ingredients, vodkas can vary based on where they’re made because different areas are known for specific styles of the spirit. “Russian vodkas, traditionally crafted from wheat or rye and subjected to multiple distillations, are celebrated for their pure and smooth qualities,” says Eldefri. Some of the most popular Russian vodka brands include Beluga Noble, Husky, Marmot Siberian and Smirnoff.
Eldefri says that American vodkas span from smooth neutrality to a focus on unique flavors driven by various base ingredients. American vodka is generally made with rye, wheat, potato or corn to create a unique flavor profile with a velvety texture and earthy, warm taste. This will vary based on the bottle, but the best way to think about it is the best of both worlds made from different types of ingredients.
According to Marinello, Poland and Russia both claim ownership of introducing the first spirit. That said, Polish vodkas, made from potatoes or grains, offer a slightly more robust flavor with hints of earthiness or sweetness.
Up next: Celebrity Chef Pati Jinich’s Simple Formula for Making the Perfect Cocktail
The Unpleasant Update in the World of Beer
It’s already been obvious for some time now that Gen Z’s drinking habits don’t match those of the generations before them. A 2023 Gallup poll found that fewer Americans aged 18-34 now drink alcohol than at any point in the past 22 years, and Billboard reported last year that music venues are suffering due to low alcohol sales. But beer sales in particular are a slightly different story, and the generation gap can only go so far in explaining them. NBC reports that the beer industry is seeing its lowest sales in a generation, and a number of factors are contributing to the struggle.
Industry group Beer Marketer’s Insights (BMI) told NBC that beer shipments have fallen to levels not seen since 1999—a timeframe that aligns rather tidily with the lifecycle of the craft beer boom. Indeed, the 2023 closure of Anchor Brewing seemed to signal the start of a newly rocky path for America’s craft beer scene, with craft sales shrinking faster than their mass-market counterparts. But the biggest players are feeling it too: “It was a tough year for beer,” BMI vice president David Steinman said.
Read more
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Ten years ago, grocery and liquor store shelves looked comparatively one-note; now there are so many more options that it’s not about choosing which beer to drink, but rather choosing which broad category of beverage to start with. Do you want to drink beer? Wine? Liquor? A canned tequila cocktail? A hard seltzer that tastes like an orange cream popsicle? Hard soda? Hard lemonade? Hard tea? Hard iced coffee? The mere existence of all these products means that each one must work harder to elbow its way into consumers’ carts.
“Some of the world’s largest soft drink and energy companies introduced sugar-forward alcohol beverages to the market, all of which are vying for the same consumer occasions as traditional malt- and hop-forward products,” Lester Jones of the National Beer Wholesalers Association told NBC via email.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the beer industry. The level of beer consumption in the U.S. doesn’t actually translate directly to the industry’s earnings, nor does it reflect global trends. The price of beer, NBC notes, has risen at a rate that both matches and sometimes exceeds the rate of overall inflation. On top of that, as consumers ditch the mass-market brands like Bud Light they often embrace more expensive brands—a phenomenon that led to the ascendance of Modelo Especial in 2023. These factors, coupled with strong international sales, mean that profits remain high within the beer category.
We will likely continue to see this sort of dualism play out within the beer industry throughout 2024 and beyond: Fewer drinkers and a onetime glut of microbreweries paring down to levels that better match demand, but maybe also higher profits overall as the palates of existing drinkers become more particular. Recent beverage trends like seltzer and RTD cocktails haven’t been enough to topple this dominant category, they’ve made it a lot harder for beer to stand out from the pack.
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Inside the World of One of America’s Biggest Irish Whiskey Collectors: A Multi-Million Dollar Passion Unveiled
As Daley proclaims, “Irish is the future of whiskey.””
Mike Daley has a large personality. And he’s got one of the largest private collections of whiskey in the United States to match.
Despite owning a sprawling estate in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the boisterous multi-millionaire is running out of bar space to display his liquid bounty, which currently amounts to several thousand bottles of scotch, American, and Irish whiskies. So he squirrels some of it away in filing cabinets, office drawers, and his beach house in coastal Delaware.
“Some of that effort is just to hide it from my wife,” he admits. “She seems to think I have a hoarding problem.”
Related: 21 Whiskey Cocktail Recipes for Every Enthusiast
Nevertheless, his latest outsized purchase is one he’ll want to keep prominently displayed for all visitors to see. It’s a walnut-ensconced treasure chest featuring a solitary ovular decanter of the Emerald Isle from The Craft Irish Whiskey Company. Alongside the 30-year-old juice in the box is a bespoke Fabergé egg — containing an actual emerald gem — a custom timepiece, and even a couple of Cohiba cigars. Only seven such sets are in existence. Daley just paid a whopping $2.8 million to call one his own.
Last month, a 1926 vintage expression from The Macallan grabbed international headlines as the world’s most expensive whisky ever. It nabbed $2.7 million at auction. Daley outspent that unknown buyer by $100,000, which would mean that he is, in fact, in possession of the priciest aged spirit of all time. Critics argue, however, that The Emerald Isle doesn’t qualify for the title because it comes packaged with all those other not-so-insignificant luxury trinkets.
Whether it’s the most expensive or just one of the most expensive alcohols of all time, what compels a collector to pay such an exorbitant price for a single bottle of whiskey?
“I was on a luxury yacht during the Monaco Grand Prix, surrounded by billionaires engaged in poker,” Daley reminisces about the instance he chose to make the purchase. “They continually wagered on hands, even if they were well aware they weren’t going to win. It wasn’t about losing, but losing face was the critical aspect they aimed to avoid. This level of people will always crave what others can’t possess. Hence, there will always be a market for something as extravagant and rare as this whiskey.”
Courtesy
By chance, a brand ambassador from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was on that identical yacht and happily ensured the passionate collector left Monaco with something exceptionally extravagant and rare.
Daley, who labels himself as an opportunistic collector, sees Irish whiskey, in particular, as the category of spirit with the greatest potential upside. It’s no coincidence that the majority of his stockpile consists of limited edition releases from Teeling, Midleton, Redbreast, and various other expressions from Craft Irish.
“The rebirth of Irish whiskey is relatively new, so I feel like I’m getting in on the ground floor,” he explains. “Luxury scotch, to me, is already a crowded type of market. But we’re only just starting to see luxury Irish make a name for itself. I guarantee you that in the years to come, it will get to where scotch is today.”
His powers of prediction have already reaped remarkable dividends. Daley made his fortune in the pharmaceutical space by investing heavily in hyaluronic acid in the previous decade, before it became a hot trend. His big bet in the spirits sector isn’t a shot in the dark, either. It’s supported by prolonged movement observed on Irish whiskey shelves. Data from the Distilled Spirits Council shows that some super premium spirits within the category have soared by nearly 2,800% in price over the past twenty years.
He sees Craft Irish leading that charge in the next twenty years, hence why he’s spent millions on their products. Thankfully, for those with more limited budgets, that brand has been veering into more accessibly-priced offerings. Earlier this year, it released The Donn, a dynamically aged single malt brimming with dark chocolate, prune, and cinnamon notes. The bottle, which is expected to retail in the U.S. for around $200, recently won double gold at the John Barleycorn Awards, an international spirits competition. It even inspired one judge to say, “I literally have to stop tasting now because following this pour would be like following Hendrix at Woodstock.”
And that might serve as even loftier praise than someone spending $2.8 million on a luxury set piece. Because, ultimately, it all ought to come down to how the whiskey tastes, not how much it costs. And not how it looks displayed on a countertop — or in a filing cabinet, as the case may be.
“Irish is the future of whiskey,” Daley proclaims. “And I’m excited to be part of it, as a collector, but most importantly as a drinker.”
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Read the original article on Food & Wine.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Spiked Hot Chocolate with Equiano Rum
After the holiday excitement, we all seek something to brighten those dreary, cold winter days. Equiano Rum offers a 100 percent natural rum with no added sugars or colorants, and void of spices. It also holds the unique distinction as the very first African and Caribbean rum. A hot chocolate spiked with this authentic rum seems just fitting to warm one on a cold evening.
The Equiano Holiday Gift Box is the perfect antidote to a freezing winter.
Founders Aaisha Dadra and Amanda Kakembo explain, “Being dubbed the world’s premier African & Caribbean rum, the unique liquors from each location play a significant function in our mixture. In Equiano Original, the African element from Mauritius, tropically aged in former Cognac barrels, gives a naturally sweet flavor to the blend. Equiano Light introduces a freshness with sugar cane juice rum from Africa, adding a grassy touch to the mixture. And considering Barbados is a producer of some of the world’s best rums, we feel privileged that it’s a vital component in both Equiano Original and Equiano Light.”
Are you prepared to concoct Equiano Spiked Chocolate? Here’s what you require:
Ingredients:
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 3 tablespoons soft muscovado sugar
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• ¼ cup (1 ½ ounces) semisweet or dark chocolate chips
• 2 ounces (¼ cup) Equiano Original Rum
• Whipped Cream (Optional)
Method:
The Equiano holiday gift box is available for purchase online – for both the Equiano Original and the Equiano Light. Looking into 2024, Equiano is looking forward to more exceptional rum being enjoyed around the world, more unique blends from Africa and the Caribbean, more limited-edition blends and more support of emerging African distilleries as they venture beyond the 30 countries they are in today.
An Unfavorable Update for Beer Enthusiasts
It’s already been obvious for some time now that Gen Z’s drinking habits don’t match those of the generations before them. A 2023 Gallup poll found that fewer Americans aged 18-34 now drink alcohol than at any point in the past 22 years, and Billboard reported last year that music venues are suffering due to low alcohol sales. But beer sales in particular are a slightly different story, and the generation gap can only go so far in explaining them. NBC reports that the beer industry is seeing its lowest sales in a generation, and a number of factors are contributing to the struggle.
Industry group Beer Marketer’s Insights (BMI) told NBC that beer shipments have fallen to levels not seen since 1999—a timeframe that aligns rather tidily with the lifecycle of the craft beer boom. Indeed, the 2023 closure of Anchor Brewing seemed to signal the start of a newly rocky path for America’s craft beer scene, with craft sales shrinking faster than their mass-market counterparts. But the biggest players are feeling it too: “It was a tough year for beer,” BMI vice president David Steinman said.
Read more
Steven Yeun bolts from Marvel’s Thunderbolts
Meet ‘Link History,’ Facebook’s New Way to Track the Websites You Visit
Fargo recap: You can’t outsmart a dummy
Three Decades Later, Someone Has Finally Beaten Tetris On NES
Cale Yarborough Won The Daytona 500 In A Show Car Borrowed From A Local Hardee’s Restaurant
Ten years ago, grocery and liquor store shelves looked comparatively one-note; now there are so many more options that it’s not about choosing which beer to drink, but rather choosing which broad category of beverage to start with. Do you want to drink beer? Wine? Liquor? A canned tequila cocktail? A hard seltzer that tastes like an orange cream popsicle? Hard soda? Hard lemonade? Hard tea? Hard iced coffee? The mere existence of all these products means that each one must work harder to elbow its way into consumers’ carts.
“Some of the world’s largest soft drink and energy companies introduced sugar-forward alcohol beverages to the market, all of which are vying for the same consumer occasions as traditional malt- and hop-forward products,” Lester Jones of the National Beer Wholesalers Association told NBC via email.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the beer industry. The level of beer consumption in the U.S. doesn’t actually translate directly to the industry’s earnings, nor does it reflect global trends. The price of beer, NBC notes, has risen at a rate that both matches and sometimes exceeds the rate of overall inflation. On top of that, as consumers ditch the mass-market brands like Bud Light they often embrace more expensive brands—a phenomenon that led to the ascendance of Modelo Especial in 2023. These factors, coupled with strong international sales, mean that profits remain high within the beer category.
We will likely continue to see this sort of dualism play out within the beer industry throughout 2024 and beyond: Fewer drinkers and a onetime glut of microbreweries paring down to levels that better match demand, but maybe also higher profits overall as the palates of existing drinkers become more particular. Recent beverage trends like seltzer and RTD cocktails haven’t been enough to topple this dominant category, they’ve made it a lot harder for beer to stand out from the pack.
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Top 7 Promising Wine Regions to Explore in 2024: A Sommelier’s Guide
Searching for your next great bottle? Sicily, Greece, South Africa, and Lodi may have the answers. … [+] (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images)
Have you ever had a sommelier pour you an unexpectedly excellent wine? A white or red from an unknown region, something sparkling from outside of Champagne, or a weird but wonderful bottle from the far reaches of Eastern Europe?
In 2024, sommeliers are predicting a number of unexpected wine regions will step into the spotlight.
“We are starting to see wines come out of less traditional regions, whether newer to grape growing or places that haven’t shared their production worldwide in the past,” says Danielle Miller of
167 Raw Oyster Barin Charleston points out that. “For example, a favorite on our current list is a Cypriot wine with incredible complexity, and it’s a grape we had never heard of.”
Bertil Jean-Chronberg, an award-winning sommelier and owner of Bonde Fine Wine Shop, believes that in 2024, consumers will find themselves surprised by the wine regions coming to the forefront. He predicts, “They’ll unearth regions or states that have previously been snubbed or overlooked.” He goes on to say, “In the coming year, anticipate wines from Finger Lakes, Long Island, Vermont, Michigan, Canada, Armenia, Hungary, Japan, or Patagonia.”
If you’re ready to embark on a wine exploration journey, here are seven regions you should pay special attention to.
Nicholas Schulman, RPM Italian’s Director of Wine in Washington DC, makes a comparison between the effect White Lotus had on Sicily with Sideways’ influence on California Merlot. “For better or worse, the Hollywood effect on wine is irrefutable! HBO’s White Lotus Season 2 was a huge hit, resulting in a surge in Sicilian wine requests.” Schulman praises the attention being given to Sicilian wines, “Sicily’s active Volcano, Etna, is known to produce unique, exciting, terroir-driven, high energy wines that can compete with the best Burgundys and Barolos.”
“Etna has gradually been gaining world prestige, and now we’re seeing big players, like Gallo, entering the market,” says Daniel Beedle, assistant food, and beverage director at Kimpton The Forum Hotel. “I’ve noticed increased popularity in Sicilian reds and whites with some cellar age, showing that consumers view these wines as good investments.”
Sam Bogue, Flour + Water Hospitality Group’s beverage director, highlights how Sicilian reds have become a favourite among diners at the group’s California restaurants. He appreciates how Sicilian wines resonate with the Californian palate, evident in the popularity of variants from Mount Etna to Vittoria. He further encourages embracing Zibibbo and other Sicilian delights as a part of the country’s viticultural scene.
The general manager and wine director of Meli in Washington, DC, Danya Degen, notes the growing popularity of Greek wines. She recalls how customer tastes have evolved from asking for Santorini Assyrtiko to exploring the wines of Naoussa, Drama, and Crete. In the future, she anticipates a growing demand for a Kotsfali and Mandilari red blend from Crete, citing it as a potential successor to Côtes du Rhône.
Schulman links the rise in popularity of Greek wines to the increase in Greek and Mediterranean restaurants opening in the United States. He predicts a boom in Mediterranean wines driven by greater accessibility and the rising trend of Hellenic cuisine. This trend is particularly evident in the increased consumption of flavorful white Assyrtiko wines from Santorini and delectable savoury reds from Naoussa PDO, made from Xinomavro grapes.
Stephen Sherry, the wine director at Melanie Wine Bar, anticipates an increase in the popularity of quality wines from Washington State. He issues a reminder that Washington’s wines weren’t limited to just the big labels of Charles Smith and Chateau St Michelle seen on grocery store aisles. Small-scale producers such as Grammercy, Hedges, and Pursued by Bear were also making extraordinary wines comparable to the best from California.
Armenia is the oldest winemaking region in the world, but its industry suffered heavily under Soviet rule when Georgia was designated the winemaking center and Armenia was given brandy. However, in the past two decades, a dedicated group of producers has begun to rekindle the winemaking culture of the region. Expect to see excellent bottles starting to appear on wine lists, showcasing indigenous grape varieties such as Voskehat, Areni Noir, Tozot (which, if made correctly, drinks like Cru Beaujolais), and Kangun.
“Think about your top five regions,” recommends Ray Shoals, Sommelier at La Fête Wine Co. and founder of The Black Owned Wine Review. “You probably think of places like Champagne, Barolo, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Napa. But I believe there are some amazing producers in South Africa that can rival many of these at a fraction of the cost!”
Sommelier, writer, and author Jim Clarke claims, “There is a lot of activity in South Africa. White wine drinkers are getting into Chenin Blanc. South Africa’s most-grown variety took a bigger portion of the South African pie within the U.S. market last year, proving that the grape’s ability to appeal equals Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc drinkers is being recognized and appreciated.”
Joseph Lapi, Wine Director for RPM Steak, RPM Italian, RPM Seafood in Chicago, notes, “Every dog has its day, and in 2024, the regions that provide outstanding value will excel.” As far as he’s concerned, it’s the Douro valley, a Portuguese region famous for its port. “The region’s steep slopes and hot climate are perfect for growing a variety of indigenous grape varieties, which are used to produce rich, full-bodied wines with strong fruit flavors and a distinct mineral quality. The combination of unique terroir, high-quality wines, reasonable prices, and growing popularity is why I believe Portugal will be the hot ticket in 2024.”
Jason Alexander, overseeing wine guidance for establishments in San Francisco called Che Fico and Che Fico Alimentari, shows interest in Lazio this year. He states, “The territory continues to progress with the emergence of a new set of winemakers who appreciate native grapes and exploit the distinct terrain of the region.” He elaborates, “Winemakers such as Andrea Occhipinti completely transform perceptions by using skin contact to add richness and texture to white grapes like Procanico while investigating the potential of dry red wines from Aleatico, which were previously recognized for their sweet red wines.”
Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Trace Announce Collaboration on a New Blended Whiskey
Buffalo Trace is recognized for being the origin of high-end unicorn bottles from brands like Pappy Van Winkle and the Antique Collection, in addition to creating its cost-effective and reliable namesake bourbon. Presently, the Kentucky distillery is debuting a new blend, Traveller Whiskey, backed up by Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Chris Stapleton.
It’s not the first time Buffalo Trace has collaborated with Stapleton. He chose a few single barrels of E.H. Taylor Jr. in the previous years for the benefit of his charity, Outlaw State of Kind. The real architect behind this whiskey is Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley. Traveller is a blended whiskey, meaning it’s combined from spirits from a variety of “award-winning distilleries” owned by Sazerac, according to the brand. Possible sources include Buffalo Trace itself, A. Smith Bowman, Barton 1792, and maybe some overseas sites. More than 50 blends were trialed before Wheatley decided on the 40th, which is what you will find in this bottle. Unlike Pappy, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, or W.L. Weller, this whiskey will be easily available and unallocated.
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“In creating Traveller, we tried over 50 different recipes, experimenting, testing, and adjusting until we found a complex and approachable flavor profile worthy of the whiskey drinker who will enjoy it,” Wheatley said in a statement. “In the end, there was one clear winner—Blend No. 40—that everyone agreed was worthy to be Traveller Whiskey.” In other words, this is meant to be an accessible, everyday drinker that is more along the lines of Buffalo Trace Bourbon than a limited special release like E.H. Taylor or something from the Experimental Collection.
We got an early taste of Traveller Whiskey, and it’s an appealing sipper that should please both novice and expert whiskey drinkers, with notes of brown sugar, caramel, maple, vanilla, oak, and baked apple on the palate. Thankfully, it’s bottled at 90 instead of 80 proof, and that higher ABV goes a long way in helping to elevate the flavor. You can find Traveller Whiskey starting this month (SRP $40), although it’s not readily available online at the moment. Will Traveller go the way of Weller or Pappy and balloon in price on the secondary market? It seems like that might not be the case, but only time will tell.
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Creating a Spiked Hot Chocolate with Equiano Rum: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that the excitement of the holidays is over, we’re all in need of something to make those cold, dark days of winter a little more fun. Equiano Rum is 100 percent natural rum with no added sugars, colourants or spices. It’s also the world’s first African and Caribbean rum. A spiked hot chocolate made with this true rum is just the thing to warm you up on a cold night.
The Equiano Holiday Gift Box will brighten up a cold winter.
“As the world’s first African & Caribbean rum, the uniqueness in liquids from each location plays an important role in our blend,” say founders Aaisha Dadra and Amanda Kakembo. “In Equiano Original the African component, from Mauritius, is tropically aged in ex-Cognac barrels which offers a natural sweetness to the blend. In Equiano Light, we’ve introduced fresh sugar cane juice rum from Africa which adds a grassiness to the blend. And Barbados produces some of the best rums in the world, so we feel honoured that it’s a key component in both Equiano Original and Equiano Light.”
Ready to make Equiano Spiked Chocolate? Here’s what you need:
Ingredients:
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 3 tablespoons soft muscovado sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch cinnamon
¼ cup (1 ½ ounces) semisweet or dark chocolate chips
2 ounces (¼ cup) Equiano Original Rum
Whipped Cream (Optional)
Method:
The Equiano holiday gift box is available for purchase online – for both the Equiano Original and the Equiano Light. Looking into 2024, Equiano is looking forward to more exceptional rum being enjoyed around the world, more unique blends from Africa and the Caribbean, more limited-edition blends, and more support of emerging African distilleries as they venture beyond the 30 countries they are in today.
Reasons To Resist Spending On Premium Vodka For Your Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary ranks alongside margaritas and martinis as one of the most recognized cocktails. Noted for its distinctive bold, spicy flavors and a stunning red color, the making of this renowned cocktail begins with a vodka and tomato juice base, with the flavor intrigue brought in by a selection of spices and condiments. Ingredients can vary from common items like hot sauce and lemon juice to more daring choices such as Worcestershire sauce and horseradish.
While the complex and spicy flavor of Bloody Mary garners much attention, vodka plays a pivotal part. Vodka’s clean, neutral taste creates a backdrop for the cocktail’s spices and seasonings to come to the forefront. Precisely because the vodka is not intended to steal the show, there’s no need to opt for high-end brands when making a Bloody Mary. With so many flavors and spices at play, the nuances offered by top-shelf vodkas are likely to get washed out and wasted.
It would be more judicious to go for a more budget-friendly vodka and invest the savings into superior mix ingredients. Consider top-quality tomato juice, fresh lemon or lime juice, gourmet hot sauces, and fresh spices. These are more likely to boost the quality of your Bloody Mary than even the finest vodkas!
Read more: 23 Cocktails To Try If You Like Drinking Gin
The best vodka for your Bloody Mary is one that complements the spices and flavors without stealing the show. Look for mid-range vodkas like Smirnoff, Absolut, or Stolichnaya; they’re well-distilled, providing the needed smoothness and neutrality without breaking the bank.
It’s worth noting that when we say “bottom-shelf vodka,” we don’t mean you should scrape the shelves’ bottoms and buy the absolute cheapest bottles available. Ultra-cheap vodkas often undergo minimal distillation and prioritize cost savings over flavor in their production, resulting in a sharper, more “ethanol-like” taste due to higher levels of fermentation byproducts called congeners. That’s not what you want in your Bloody Mary! A handy rule of thumb is to choose a vodka that you’d enjoy sipping on its own. If it’s smooth when sipped neat, it’s likely to work well in your Bloody Mary.
In case you want to get creative, some bartenders suggest trying flavored vodkas like pepper or citrus-infused types to add an extra flavor kick. But remember, this is entirely up to your taste. Plus, adding flavored vodka to a Bloody Mary can be a bit tricky, as it will affect the balance of flavors. So, it’s a good idea to have a recipe on hand (like this Kimchi Bloody Mary recipe!) to make sure everything tastes just right when you give it a go!
Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Exploring the Finest Luxe and Limited-Edition Whiskeys of 2023
2023 was year of eye-popping luxury whisky releases.
This year has been one of crazy whiskey releases as distilleries released rare, old and incredibly special liquid as demand for these luxury bottles rose. These are some of the most impressive whiskeys I’ve seen this year above the $500 mark, while most of them cost much, much more.
According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, during the five years between 2017 and 2022, all spirits categories included in the luxury index (bottles priced at more than $50) increased at an average rate of 21 percent. But anecdotally, it appears that high-end whiskey collection is hotter than ever, with companies like Diageo and Edrington offering bespoke client experiences and American bottles going for prices that were once thought only possible for Scotch [note: prices in this article are release prices, not what they are going for on the secondary market].
And while you should try a dram of one of these if you can get your hands on it, it portends very well for what we’ll be seeing in 2024.
The Dalmore Cask Curation Series The Sherry Collection
The Dalmore Cask Curation Series, The Sherry Edition, $37,000
The Dalmore launched the first set in a four-year program of rare whisky collections this year with The Sherry Edition. Each of the 150 sets come in a leather travel case holding the three expressions: A 26 Year Old finished in a rare Gonzalez Byass 2002 vintage, a 28 Year Old finished in a Gonzalez Byass 30 Year Old Matusalem Sherry Cask and a 43 Year Old, finished in very rare Gonzalez 30 year old Apostoles Sherry Cask. The collection highlights The Dalmore’s century-old exclusive partnership with Gonalez Byass, sherry winemakers in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
The Dalmore is known for being a pioneer in multi-cask maturation since 1868. These three expressions highlight that practice — they were primarily aged in ex-bourbon casks, and finished in each of the rare, old casks. The set gives a window not only into how the malt itself ages, but the impact finishing barrels can have. The 26 Year Old is a bright whisky, with berry, orange and honey notes. The 28 Year Old is a darker whisky with more tannins, dried fruit and baking spices. The 43 Year Old has almond and molasses notes, along with tropical fruit.
Next year the series will feature Port finishes.
Dewar’s Double Double 37
Dewars Double Double 37, $1,800
While single malts are often in the spotlight, luxe blended whiskies have made a lot of noise this year. This one is a blended malt (malted barley) and no grain whiskies (usually corn) in this blend. Master Blender Stephanie Macleod oversaw the four-stage aging process. Malt whiskies are aged in casks for 37 years and then blended in casks to marry for a month. That malt is then blended with Double Double 36 which was finished in madeira barrels for a year. That blend is combined for a month in Oloroso sherry casks which previously held Aultmore single malt whisky. The madeira and sherry aging impart chocolate and spices to the whisky, but there are still delicate honey, floral and citrus notes that are typical to the Speyside region. Honoring the region is what this new series is about — it’s the first of four in a Collector’s Series highlighting what makes the Scottish region so special. The set comes with two Baccarat Massena crystal tumblers.
Aberfeldy 25 Year Old
Aberfeldy 25 Year Old, $550
To celebrate the distillery’s 125th anniversary, Aberfeldy, considered the heart malt of Dewar’s, released this 25-year-old limited edition in a gilded commemorative pack. It was aged in a combination of refill hogsheads and butts, and then finished for more than a year in first-fill Oloroso Sherry casks. Aberfeldy is known for its floral, honey, citrus and vanilla notes because it has a long fermentation, before going through long, slender stills which create a more delicate single malt.
Teeling 33 Year Old
Teeling 33 Year Old, $3,700
Teeling, the first distillery to open back up in Dublin in 125 years, is known for innovation, and its older special releases are prized. The latest in a range of single cask bottlings, this one uses Pineau des Charentes, a fortified wine made with unfermented grape juice and Cognac eau-de-vie. It’s usually drunk as an aperitif and is only produced in a small region in western France, and is mostly consumed locally. Despite Pineau being a dessert wine, the resulting dram is a bit savory and dry, with tropical and stone fruit notes and a long finish with some ginger spice and cherry.
Talisker Glacial Edge
Talisker Glacial Edge 45-Year-Old, $5,000
This is the third and final release in the Xpedition Series, a line of experimental whiskies from Talisker. The release is both a nod to the whisky’s adventurous past: The founders were the MacAskill brothers who sailed from the Isle of Eigg to found the distillery on the Isle of Skye, as well as the brand’s current conservation efforts, especially regarding oceans, marine life, and oysters.
The latest release was aged for more than 40 years before being finished in ice-fractured oak casks. Twelve casks were taken to Canada’s ice fields, where a specialized cooper removed the ends of the casks, exposing them to sub-zero temperatures and arctic winds for 96 hours. The cold fractured the wood, which allowed for more surface area in the casks for the liquid to interact with during the final finishing period back in Scotland. It’s still got a lot of smoke and chili for a whisky this old, and evokes a salty, smoky toffee. If you add water, it gets even brinier, and mellows out the pepper.
Talisker made the journey with partner Parley For the Oceans and glacier scientist Dr. Alison Criscitiello. A portion of proceeds will go towards Parley’s conservation efforts.
Laphroaig Ian Hunter Book 5: Enduring Spirit $1,400
Book 5 commemorates the last of a series of annual Laphroaig editions that pay tribute to Ian Hunter, the past proprietor known for his pivotal role at the distillery from 1908 to 1944. Each book sheds light on different aspects of Hunter’s influential contributions. For instance, Book 3 celebrated his water conservation initiatives. This particular release underlines the lasting impact of Hunter’s decisions at Laphroaig in defining its fundamental character. He pioneered the use of American oak ex-bourbon barrels for maturation, a practice as alive and prevalent today as the malting floors at the distillery. Laphroaig’s signature peat quality matures distinctively with age, hitting a stride in its third decade, unfolding exotic tropical fruit undertones like mango and pineapple, reminiscent of dipping into the world’s most opulent barbecue spread. The whisky undergoes a final phase of maturation in European oak ex-Pedro Ximenez barrels, imparting a hint of red berry and dried fruit nuances that culminate in a lingering sweet aftertaste.
Barry MacAllfer, the Distillery Manager, commented, “It’s more than just a beverage, it’s a portal to a yesteryear.” Buying a bottle serves as a ticket to a competition where the lucky winner gets a chance to partake in a tasting session with him.
Below is a selection of the 100th Anniversary releases from Suntory.
Suntory 100th Anniversary Releases, multiple
Suntory celebrated their 100th anniversary with a video campaign featuring Keanu Reeves and directed by Sophia Coppola. They also marked the occasion with several limited release whiskies. Among these were three premium options: the Mizunara matured Yamazaki 18 Year Old ($1,500), the gently peated Hakushu 18 Year Old Malt ($1,200), and the Mizunara influenced 21 Year Old Hibiki 21 ($5,000) re-blended limited edition whisky.
Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whisky
FUJI 30-Year-Old Single Grain Whiskey, $3,000
In celebration of Mt. Fuji Distillery’s 50th anniversary, FUJI introduced a 30-year-old single grain whiskey to the U.S. market. It’s a blend of several Canadian-style grain whiskies, aged 30 to 40 years. The product was made on a mix of kettle and column stills, and aged in first and second fill white oak American barrels. Its tasting notes are of honey and dark chocolate. The Mt. Fuji Distillery is distinct for creating whiskies in four international styles: Japanese, American, Canadian, and Scotch. A 50th Anniversary Edition Single Malt Japanese Whisky is slated for release in spring 2024.
Dickel Bourbon Aged 18 Years
Dickel 18 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey, $510
This year, Dickel released its oldest whiskey to date, and it’s a stunner. Master Distiller Nicole Austin has done several things to innovate at the Tennessee-based brand, and one was to add some whiskeys categorized as bourbon in addition to the Tennessee whiskey, which tends to be a bit mellower in style. Austin felt these barrels, which were aged in single-story rick houses, had stone fruit and vanilla crème brûlée notes that kept it more in line with a bourbon.
“I’m excited for people to try Dickel Bourbon Aged 18 Years because it’s a rare and beautifully aged whisky, but still exhibits a surprising brightness and wide range of complexity that is not often found in American Whiskies of this age,” Austin said in a press release.
Eagle Rare 25
Eagle Rare 25, $10,000
Another record breaker, this bourbon is the oldest Eagle Rare ever released. This release was the result of an innovation program and the first release from Warehouse P, which was specifically built to extend the aging and maturation process for American whiskey and bourbon, which, due to the hot aging climate and use of virgin barrels traditionally take on too much oak flavor and become too bitter and tannic. This was avoided by moving barrels in 2018 to Warehouse P, which was temperature and humidity controlled.
“We closely monitored Eagle Rare 25 throughout the aging process and discovered that the impact over time due to controlled, extended aging was optimally mature whiskey – by that, I mean whiskey that is uniquely smooth and complex with deep, mature flavors around every corner,” said Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley in a statement. “Eagle Rare 25 is unlike any other extra-aged bourbon on the market today. We are quite proud of this bourbon.”
The dram still will appeal to ultra-aged bourbon fans, and is somewhat tannic with notes of leather and oak, but there’s also traditional bourbon notes of vanilla and caramel with cherry overtones.