Other Spirits

Innis & Gunn Winter Beer 2012

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Innis & Gunn Winter Beer 2012
Porter Brewed with Molasses
7.4% ABV
$10.99/4 Pack
Website

What the Brewer Says:
This is the first time we have brewed and oak matured a Porter, which has been imparted with great depth of flavour thanks to the addition of some roasted wheat, crystal malt and treacle (molasses). * Please note it is called Winter Beer as it was created for our US market (it is exactly the same beer as Winter Treacle Porter)

Nose: Chocolate / Treacle
Palate: Starts light with oak and molasses in the force. Develops a firm, rich malt backbone, with notes of orange oil and oak. Hints of roast malt, tobacco smoke and chocolate.
Finish: The roast malts, molasses and hop bitterness fall into balance and linger with occasional hints of vanilla.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Mmmm, beery. Seriously though, I’m getting yeast, malt, and hops. Classic beer nose.
Palate: Prickly to start but quickly settling into light wood, a creamy sweetness, and roasted malt on the way down
Finish: This is where I’m getting the molasses. Christmas cookies, more malt, and trailing vanilla.
Comments: A very nice beer that I’d be happy to drink anytime or save for special occasions. It’s really the finish on this that reminds me of winter and Christmas. The nose and palate just say good beer.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank Shannon Fischer with Handcrafted PR for sending a few of these beauties over for review.

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Onyx Moonshine

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Onyx Moonshine
40% ABV
$23.99
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Onyx Moonshine is the first moonshine to be produced in Connecticut since prohibition. Our authentic American moonshine is handcrafted in small batches from our very own secret recipe. Extremely smooth and delicious, Onyx Moonshine can be enjoyed:

…on the rocks,
…as an exciting replacement for vodka or whiskey in your favorite cocktails, OR
…to make actual prohibition era cocktails.

Moonshine is a truly American spirit, and while not yet part of mainstream American liquors, it can be extremely high quality and enjoyable.

Enjoying Onyx Moonshine is an experience. It begins with the sweet aroma of honey & apple with spicy wood undertones. Onyx has a delicate flavor with a pillow soft texture giving way to a refreshing hint of botanicals. It rounds out with a full-bodiness and is smooth from start to finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Surprisingly un-vodka like. The nose is very bourbon-ish with a hint of vanilla along with fresh cream, granny smith apples, and wildflowers. The vanilla really surprised me with no time spent in wood.
Palate: The palate is almost scotch like in it’s floral notes. Very clean and delicate.
Finish: The finish has just a little pepper pinch at the end.
Comments: I’m an admitted white whiskey hater. I think whiskey needs to hit the wood. Onyx isn’t calling this whiskey though. They aren’t calling it vodka either. It’s a very nice clean spirit that can bring nice flavor to bland vodka cocktails. This is definitely something worth trying.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank the Onyx Spirits Company for providing me with a bottle for review.

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Martin Miller’s Gin

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Martin Miller’s Gin/Martin Miller’s Westbourne Strength Gin
40% ABV/45.2% ABV
$30/$45
Website
Martin Miller's Gin
What the Distillery Says:
[Quite a lot actually. Mr. Miller and his company are quite loquacious about this eponymous gin. Definitely check out the website. Below are the summations from the press materials provided]

Martin Miller’s Gin
Distilled using an innovative process and nine classic botanicals, Martin Miller’s Gin is blended and bottled at 80 proof. It is soft on the palate, and has a gentle delivery of it’s juniper notes, making it the perfect gin for martinis and gin and tonics.

Martin Miller’s Westbourne Strength Gin
Pure and clear in appearance, and with a long peppery finish, Westbourne Strength at 90.4 proof was developed specifically for cocktails that include stronger and more complex flavours and ingredients. Perfect for Bloody Mary’s and classics, like the Negroni.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Herbaceous in a bubbly sort of way. Juniper, jasmine, a citrus zest.
Palate: Sweet, slightly bitter, and peppery with classic juniper flavor. Very soft and easy to drink.
Finish: Medium length with a clean juniper finish.
Comments: This is simply a lovely classic gin. It’s not riffing on the gin base like a Hendricks. It distills (no pun intended) down the essence of London Gin into a standard bearing example. While this is great by itself, naturally the tipple shines in cocktails. I always try a new gin in a martini and a gin & tonic to start. Both are great. However, one of the recipes provided with the samples is a smashing version of the gin & tonic called Gin to Nicks. I can’t recommend that one enough.
Rating: Must Try

I would like to thank Anderson Group PR for providing generous samples for review.

Gin to Nicks

Glass: Hi-ball
Method: Build over cubed ice in glass
Garnish: Lime peel

50ml Martin Miller’s Gin
Dash of Angoustura bitters
Squeeze of lime juice
Good quality tonic water

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Cruzan Aged Light Rum

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Cruzan Aged Light Rum
40% ABV/80 Proof
$10
Website

What the Distillery Says:
As with all rums, the Cruzan Aged Light Rum is aged in American oak casks. After the ageing, though, the light rum goes thru a closely monitored filtration process that reduces color as well as oak and vanilla character.

This process also brings out the full-bodied, smooth taste that makes Cruzan Aged Light the delicate rum it really, really is.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Fresh grass, rubbing alcohol, vanilla, and coconut.
Palate: Lightly sweet with a very clean flavor.
Finish: Smooth and delicate with finishing notes of white pepper.
Comments: This is a white rum not a sipping rum so I’m not grading it as such. This is a great choice if you are looking for a clean supporting role in pina coladas or rum and Cokes.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank the folks at DBC PR & New Media for sending a sample bottle to review.

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National Rum Day

/ / Other Spirits, Richard's Blog

Did you know that August 16th is National Rum Day? I didn’t either until the people at the PR firm representing Cruzan Rum told me. They were also kind enough to send me a bottle to review and and few recipes. The review will follow shortly. For now, check out their suggested celebration drinks….

CRUZAN® “DON’T HURRY” CANE

Ingredients:
1 part Cruzan® Vanilla Rum
2 parts Cruzan® Aged Light Rum
1 tsp Sugar
3 Lime Wedges
Method: Combine 2 of the lime wedges, sugar & Cruzan Vanilla Rum in a tumbler and lightly muddle for ten seconds. Add Cruzan Aged Light Rum and a scoop of ice and shake hard for 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled Hurricane glass and garnish with the final lime wedge.

CRUZAN® TAKE 9

Ingredients:
1 1/2 parts Cruzan® 9 Spiced Rum
3/4 part Dry Vermouth
1/4 part Curacao
1/2 tsp Grenadine
Orange Twist
Method: Combine all ingredients over ice in a tumbler and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled Martini coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.

CRUZAN® COCONUT OLD FASHIONED

Ingredients:
2 parts Cruzan® Single Barrel Rum
1/2 part Rich Simple Syrup
3 dashes of Bitters
Coconut Water Ice Cubes (see additional recipe below)
Method: Cut a wide swath of orange peel and lightly press it in the bottom of a rocks glass. Add rum, syrup and bitters. Now drop in a few Coconut Water Ice Cubes and stir gently.

Coconut Water Ice Cubes Recipe: Pour a can of Coconut Water (strain the pulp out first, if needed) in an ice cube tray – the bigger the cube try the better – and freeze for several hours.

Enjoy!

Richard

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