Other Spirits

Martell Blue Swift and Holiday Cocktails

/ / Cocktails, Other Spirits, Review

Whiskey/whisky is our primary focus with nearly 750 whisk(e)y reviews, but the holidays are often a gathering of friends and family, some of whom may enjoy a drink but not particularly whisk(e)y. Even for us fans of the water of life, it is nice to change things up from time to time, and to give folks some thoughts as they consider holiday shopping.

I’ll examine Martell Blue Swift (a spirit drink made of cognac V.S.O.P. that is finished in bourbon barrels) neat and in our traditional review format. Then I’ll try it in some of their recommended cocktail recipes and share my thoughts.  We would like to thank Martell and Ketchum for sending us a sample to review, as well as the cocktail recipes!

Martell Blue Swift

40% ABV
$45-$50
Website
Martell Blue Swift

What the Producer Says

An audacious combination. Martell Blue Swift is made of cognac VSOP then finished in Bourbon Barrels.

The Color: Copper with golden highlights.
The Aroma: Gourmet notes of banana and caramelised pear introduce the subtle sweetness of vanilla, coconut and spices.
The Taste: A sensation of fullness and generosity with notes of ginger and candied fruit, followed by distinctive hints of toasted oak from the Kentucky bourbon casks.

In 1783, Martell was the first Maison to ship cognac to the United States. Today, Martell celebrates this history with another first: Martell Blue Swift, the first-ever spirit drink made of cognac VSOP and finished in bourbon casks.

Through Martell’s signature distillation process, the eaux-de-vie absorbs the rich aromatic tones of the bourbon cask. The result is Martell’s hallmark style – delicate notes of candied fruit and plum – complemented by the subtle sweetness of vanilla and toasted oak from the casks. Exceptionally smooth, with a rounded taste and unique character.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Grapey with raisins, oak, over-ripe bananas, vanilla flan, nutmeg, allspice, anise, and wisps of apple cider and toffee.
Palate:  Sweet and fruity with ginger and pear, vanilla with lovely baking spices of cinnamon, clove and a touch of pepper.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, slightly drying with grapes, dried orchard fruit, and oak.
Comments:  I apologize to cognac conniseurs, as I am absolutely a cognac novice.  While that experience is quite limited, this definitely has more oomph with oak and spice notes than a typical V.S.O.P.  As a fan of bourbon, I appreciate the influence that finishing is bringing to this party.

Rating: Stands Out

Now onto the cocktails! This first one is for the holidays; the second is what was on the packaging of the provided sample of Martell Blue Swift Limited Edition by Ghetto Gastro, which includes a julep cup (so how can you not try a julep!)

Martell Blue Swift Ghetta Gastro gift box

Swift Cider Punch
  • 1 part Martell Blue Swift
  • 2 parts Apple cider
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish
  1. Place few ice cubes into the shakers
  2. Pour Blue Swift, apple cider, and bitters
  3. Shake ingredients together and pour into a wine tumbler
  4. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks

Swift Cider Punch

What Gary Thought: The apple cider definitely gives it a fall vibe, although I found that the apple cider overpowered the Martell Blue Swift.  This was very easy drinking.  My wife who isn’t a big cocktail fan enjoyed it (although thought maybe serving it warm would be better).  I get that cocktails aren’t designed to make the alcohol component the lead, but I tried this at more of an equal ratio of Martell Blue Swift to apple cider and enjoyed that much more.

Martell Julep
  • 2 parts Martell Blue Swift
  • 0.5 part sugar syrup (simple syrup)
  • 10-12 fresh mint leaves
  1. Press the mint leaves in a julep cup with a flat-end bar spoon or a muddler
  2. Add Martell Blue Swift and sugar syrup
  3. Fill with crushed ice
  4. Stir until the cup is well frosted
  5. Garnish with a grated nutmeg and a pine sprig

Martell Julep

What Gary Thought: I skipped the pine sprig and went with mint instead (although did have some whole nutmeg which to grate over the top).  The mint julep is a classic bourbon cocktail, so as a whisk(e)y enthusiast I was excited to try this.  I’ll confess that I took some liberties with the instructions (such as adding the simple syrup with the leaves before muddling, as this is what I’ve always done and seen done when I’ve ordered this drink), but kept the proportions the same.  Compared to a classic mint julep with bourbon, this is a tad sweeter.  I really like the touch of the freshly grated nutmeg (I did just two passes over my glass – image below).

Martell Julep with nutmeg dusting

The provided julep cup worked well, and frosted up nicely.  I think fans of mint juleps would enjoy this as a fresh take, and the nutmeg gives it a bit of a holiday feel.

Cheers!
Gary

Martell Blue Swift and Holiday Cocktails Read More »

Germain-Robin Heirloom Apple Brandy

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Germain-Robin Heirloom Apple Brandy

40% ABV
$50-$70
Website
Germain-Robin Heirloom Apple Brandy

What the Distillery Says

In 1982, Ansley Coale and Hubert Germain-Robin brought a 13HL antique potstill to Mendocino County, rescuing it from an abandoned distillery in Cognac. Since 1983, Germain-Robin has
used craft methods to distill premium varietal wine grapes, grapes superior to those distilled in Cognac. Their brandies are the pure, focused concentration of the varietal characteristics of some of California’s best wine grapes – and now appples. Cellared in French Limousin Oak, brought to bottling proof with filtered rainwater, these brandies have been frequently reviewed as among the finest distilled spirits in the world.

We’ve been distilling apples since 1991. About 9 years ago, we learned that long-time apple plantings in nearby Anderson Valley were semi-abandoned: their heirloom cultivars had little commercial value. By paying a premium, we were able to preserve the orchards and to obtain wonderful distilling material. The climate is perfect: warm sunny days for ripe flavor, cool coastal nights for crisp acidity. This brandy is exceptionally smooth, long, and complex.

Apple brandy is in limited production, some 250-300 cases each year. We distill and cellar each apple cultivar (ever heard of Black Twig, Ribston Pippin, or Wickson?) separately if possible, blending the brandies when they have had time to fully develop their individual qualities. The blend includes distillates ranging in age from 6 to 15 years, some of it coming, solera style, from a reserved portion of the previous year’s release. Descent to bottling proof is with filtered rainwater.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Freshly cut apples with subtle cider spices, a hint of anise and clove with a winey note.
Palate:  Sweet, apple cider with a nutty pepper note on the back, a tad thin.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with slightly sour apples.
Comments:  This is the first apple brandy I’ve ever had, so making zero claims to how this stands up to others. Honestly, brandy isn’t a spirit I’ve spent a lot of time with (anyone is welcome to have at “Brandy Apostle”). For me, this was like a super-refined apple cider. There are some nice spice notes (subtle by comparison to a cider, but more than you might get in an apple wine), but quite heavy on the apple. Not objectionable, and a nice break for a fall afternoon, but just not in my wheelhouse.

Rating: Average

Germain-Robin Heirloom Apple Brandy Read More »

Compass Box Affinity

/ / Other Spirits, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Compass Box Affinity
A Blend of Scotch Whisky & Calvados

46% ABV
$125 – $150
Website
Compass Box Affinity

What the Blender Says

Classic flavours emerge from an unexpected kinship.
Sometimes in life there are two things with a shared nature, a kinship. They are somehow meant to be together, despite apparent differences. Such is the case, we believe, with Scotch whisky and Calvados.

Scotland and Normandy are both northern European; they share a cool, maritime climate. While one grows principally cereals, and the other is known for its apples, these agricultural products have a long history of usage together, especially in baking. We saw an opportunity for a new collaboration.

We have been blending Calvados with Scotch whisky at home and in our blending room for years. The flavour combination is classic: apples and spice riffing off dried fruits and vanilla. When we were able to source Calvados of the right quality, and in enough quantities, we decided to share our private experiments with the world.

Orchard fruit notes are common to both Calvados and Scotch malt whisky. Many Calvados producers double-distil in pot stills, just like their Scottish cousins. Maturation in French oak is another aspect of their shared DNA.

These two spirits share richness, sweetness and complexity; the Calvados lends an intensity and length to the finish which enhances the character of the Scotch whiskies.

Serve over ice, mix with amari and vermouth into a unique twist on a boulevardier, or pair with a deliciously sweet tarte tatin. We think you’ll agree that these two spirits really do have an affinity for one another.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Spiced baked apples with honey, heather just off the sea coast, subtle note of banana, a winey note that hints at apple cider vinegar.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, apple wine with pears, vanilla, baking spices, hints of almonds and walnuts with a bit of pepper spice.
Finish:  Long, rich with a nutty pepper spice.
Comments:  The second limited edition ‘non-whisky’ from Compass Box recently – although if given it in a blind tasting, I might have guessed it as whisk(e)y finished in apple wine casks. It isn’t ‘un-whisk(e)y-like’ to me anyways, despite 37.5% of the blend being Calvados, which is an apple and/or pear brandy from Normandy in France. Whisky or not, it is definitely delicious, and dangerously drinkable.

Rating: Must Try

Compass Box Affinity Read More »

Compass Box Stranger & Stranger

/ / Other Spirits, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Compass Box Stranger & Stranger

46% ABV
$180 – $200
Website
Compass Box Stranger and Stranger

What the Blender Says

WE HAVE COMBINED SCOTCH MALT WHISKY WITH WHEAT & BARLEY SPIRIT

Some may call it sacrilege, but we thought the addition of one year old ‘sacrificial spirit’ would be the perfect component to use in our limited edition blend to celebrate ten years of collaboration with our good friends at the package design company Stranger & Stranger.

In the 30 plus design projects we’ve worked on together, we typically provide a core idea and direction, but for this special project, we let Stranger & Stranger design what they liked. All I told them was we were working on a recipe incorporating some amazing one year old grain spirit we had used to season some experimental American oak barrels.

We had been calling this one year old ‘sacrificial spirit’ because we didn’t know what it would be like after a year in these crazy new barrels. Turned out, it was amazing, filled with intense wood spice and exotic shades of vanilla character.

Typical of the way we ordinarily work with Stranger & Stranger, a simple idea captured their imagination and inspired their work. Here, it was ‘sacrificial spirit’ which they used as a springboard for the intricate and fascinating design of this limited edition.

You’ll find aromas and flavours in this Stranger spirit that remind you of custard and dark sugars, fresh apple and an appealing herbal character. It has a sweetness on the palate that will call you back to the glass, owing to just one percent of the recipe using our delicious sacrificial spirit.

We hope you’ll share and enjoy with friends and family this celebration of the ten year collaboration between Compass Box and Stranger & Stranger.

AVAILABILITY
Release of 4,802 bottles worldwide. Bottled September 2018.

BOTTLING DETAILS
Bottled at 46%. Not chill-filtered. Natural colour.

RECOMMENDATIONS
This spirit would be sublime served as a post prandial, with ice, or mixed into a classic cocktail such as an old fashioned.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Lovely floral and malty sweetness, vanilla buttercream frosting, honeysuckle, peach pie, pears, a spring garden with a hint of sea air.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with fruity sweetness, peaches and pears dusted with nutmeg, honey; sharpens mid-palate with some white pepper notes.
Finish:  Long with spice notes, honey, and pepper.
Comments:  Compass Box does it again. This is a lovely, sweet, nuanced dram. Technically, this isn’t a ‘whisky’ because of the 1% ‘sacrificial spirit’ (which is grain spirit from Girvan that hadn’t been aged three years; the minimum age requirement to be labeled Scotch whisky). But with 99% of the blend containing single malt whisky ranging in age from 17 to 22 years old, that 1% doesn’t make the end result taste ‘un-whisky like’. Whatever you call it, I’d call it delicious. If this was closer to $140, I’d call it a ‘Must Buy’ – but still highly recommend seeking out an opportunity to try it!

Rating: Must Try

Compass Box Stranger & Stranger Read More »

Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye

40% ABV
$45
Website
Basil_Haydens_Caribbean_Reserve_Rye
We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Experience the intriguing blend of rye whiskies with a touch of rum, balancing our signature rye spice with a subtle Caribbean sweetness.

AROMA: Rich caramel and brown sugar complemented by back notes of soft rye and vanilla
TASTE: A balanced blend of sumptuous rye and brown sweets with an ample woody accent
FINISH: A pleasant, long lingering warmth

GET TO KNOW CARIBBEAN RESERVE RYE
Sweet and Spicy
With its trademark spicy finish from a high-rye recipe, Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon has always been known for standing out in the crowd. Inspired by that legacy, Basil Hayden’s is excited to deliver another distinctive whiskey experience with the introduction of its latest limited-edition release – Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye™.

Crafted as an approachable whiskey expression to enjoy during the warm summer months, Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye takes inspiration from the sweet and spicy contrast between rye whiskey and rum. The limited-time offering features a blend of 8-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey and 4-year-old Canadian Rye Whisky, which bring to life layers of flavor, including distinct spice, toasted oak and vanilla notes. The blend is then finished with the addition of Black Strap Rum which ties the rye whiskey pairing together with sweet notes of brown sugar and molasses. The result is a balanced whiskey that remains approachable to discover at 80 proof.

Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye is the latest in a series of successful rye whiskey innovations from the brand, each of which push the limits of category convention to bring something unexpected to whiskey fans.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Molasses, brown sugar, burnt caramel, a twang of bbq sauce, little Worcestershire sauce, hints of pine, thyme and citrus spice.
Palate:  Sweet entry, bright rye spice notes, bit of orange, molasses sugar cookies with extra vanilla extract, subtle oak.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, with savory spice notes (not quite pepper) popping up.
Comments:  This is a fairly dark dram; dark brown – lacking the red hues often seen in older bourbons/ryes, no doubt due to the addition of the Black Strap Rum. Important to note that technically this is not a whisk(e)y; it is a spirit which includes a blend of whiskies along with rum – so don’t approach it expecting it to be a rye or bourbon whisk(e)y. The nose at first came across as heavy with the rum influence, but as it sat in the glass it came into a better balance. The palate started off more integrated from the first sip. Nothing off putting to me with this. It is on the sweet side as you’d expect, but not cloyingly so. If you’re a fan of dark rum, this could be right in your wheelhouse.

Rating: Stands Out

Basil Hayden’s Caribbean Reserve Rye Read More »