Another batch of our special order liquors has come in and I am now uniquely proud of our line-up. We now boast an excitingly comprehensive line-up or rare Rums as well as some amazing new Gins.
Of course, perhaps the most unique of all is our new Shochu, a fine and delicate Japanese version of vodka, though with half the calories and alcohol. I talk about it in some detail here.
Let’s get right to it.
The Rums:
El Dorado- We’ve added three aged rums from the fine Guyanese distillery, El Dorado; a 12 year, 15 year, and 21 year bottling. The Beverage Tasting Institute ranks the 21 year about as highly as one can rate a spirit, but I think the 15 year is right up my alley. All of these, however, have a depth and smoothness that, at least I, had never tasted in rum before. Layers of toffee and nuts that just keep coming at you.
Neissen- From Martinique comes something entirely different. Something more earthy and raw. While the aged rums of El Dorado make for sipping and savoring, these add a backbone and exotic nuance to mixed drinks. We’ve already had some fun with these, but I’m leaning towards keeping it simple and letting the flavor shine through. Lately I’ve been enjoying a simple version of the Hemingway Daiquiri; Rhum Agricole Blanc shaken with a healthy dash of Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur and a bit of lime. Exotic, refreshing, and completely addictive. Of course, I think Kerry prefers the real thing, adding a bit of grapefruit and cane syrup to the mix.
The Gins:
It wasn’t that long ago that I learned about the various styles of gin. I had no idea how many there were. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting on arrival of examples of Old Tom and Genevere gins that we’re looking for, but we’ve added an exceptional new London Dry as well as an amazing New World style. Check it out.
After Miller’s Gin is handcrafted in very small batches, it is transported by ship to Iceland. Here, in the small village of Borgarnes, on Iceland’s remote west coast, it is blended with water from the selyri spring, source of some of the purest water to be found on earth. The result is an amazing clarity of taste. This is truly a gin-drinker’s gin.
G-Vine Florasi0n is an exotically nuanced, French-made gin that uses highly aromatic grape flowers harvested from vines in Cognac along with other botanicals to make what is the most unique gin I’ve tried in some time. Lovely sipped all by itself, but the fine Dolin dry vermouth we use should be a fine partner. However, I’d suggest you go with a twist rather than an olive.
More to come…
