Libations

'14 Holiday Cocktails+Contest

November 26 2014 - 1:58 PM

As the snow creeps closer, it reminds us of the imminent need for some cheering up. Sometimes good spirits are what’s needed to keep us in good spirits. Here are a few that we’ve found or that have been shared with us (when noted) that we think could contribute to your holiday season.

Rum
Flor de Caña 7 year old Grand Reserve was the call this past month in Mexico. The selection was limited but when tasted against the 3 and 5 year, it was preferred as it brought some more spice and seemed to be richer. Bacardi Solera was another option but it leaned on the sweet side. A dash of simple syrup with the 7-year Flor provided a sweeter taste without compromising the spicy heat. It’s no Zacapa but for $24ish a bottle it’s a nice sipper as well as a good cocktail rum for pineapple, coconut, banana, etc. caliche

Rum Caliche – A blend of rums, Caliche brings a significant amount of flavor to its clear spirit. A combo of solera method rum (a rotation of spirits in different barrels) adds some interesting notes of vanilla and barrel while maintaining a bright lean flavor and finish. Though this snazzy bottle was sent to us, it wouldn’t have broken the bank at around $20. It would be a great bar addition specifically for bright citrus cocktails, from lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit… even kiwi, mango. Think refreshing!

Gin
Citadelle Reserve Solera Gin – It’s the season for solera I guess. Leave it to the Cognac Ferrand folks to send us a taste of solera-aged Citadelle Gin. It’s light yellow, has some conventional notes of juniper and a few surprising touches of oak and spice. The taste is broad and carries vanilla, and some pie spices alongside some citrus zest. It’s a very sip-able gin with a unique personality. It would make for one heck of a dry martini, a light dose of Dolin Blanc and an orange twist.

koval_ginKoval Gin – Koval, on the North side of Chicago, is pushing out some amazing stuff. This small batch (organic and Kosher!) gin comes in at a stout 94 proof and in spite of the strength, boasts some extremely subtle flavors that all emphasize a verdant freshness: floral and citrus, conventional but fresh. Nothing perfumey or acrid at all. It’s a remarkable contrast to the Citadelle Solera Reserve and shows just how versatile gin is compared to vodka. I don’t typically get all into labels and design but when this showed up on my doorstep, it made an impression. Seriously, this is a world-beating die-cut label. It’s handmade in Chicago and for about $35 it’s one heck of a gift. This is a gin on the rocks opportunity but I will be playing with it and Chartreuse or maybe dry sherry.

Whiskey

slow-and-low-ryeSlow and Low, Rock and Rye – It was a buy back at a whisky bar. I saw the bottle and cringed expecting a lemon drop type thing. While it was sweet, it was certainly tasty. A sugared rye with hints of orange and spices. It’s one awesome cocktail in a glass. More than one might get a bit cloying but at 84 proof; it’s not a blended down drink. For $22 a bottle, I can see spending the day getting schnockered on these chatting with friends and family. And it’s made by teamsters.

Clyde May’s – If the rock candy in Slow and Low is too sweet for you, Clyde May’s straight Alabama whiskey will be a compromise. Though no added sugars, it runs sweet by whiskey standards but that might be just what you’re looking for. We didn’t spend the clydemays$35 bottle price as a bottle was sent to us complete with a goofy origin story about bootlegging and lawsuits. More importantly, out of the bottle, its flavors move from vanilla and caramel to a touch of pepper in a pretty nice finish. It’s more of a riff on bourbon but unique and worth a taste. It’s ripe for bitters or Campari and there’s enough going on to push its flavors through most cocktails. That said, for some folks, it’s certainly a sipper on its own.

SIA – SIA is a very different Scotch. It’s got a rep as the Kickstarter Scotch made by a woman in San Francisco but produced in, you guessed it, Scotland. We only had a taste but it’s light and bright and not very peaty or smoky. It doesn’t suggest Islay or Speyside or seem conventional in any way. Instead it is far sia-scotch-whiskymore neutral and reserved. It’s similar is some ways to the Japanese or Indian take on whiskey. It’s very ingredient-honest. You get a concerted shot of grain throughout but it’s remarkably bright and soft but has a lasting finish. It’s being marketed as a boutique spirit and it’s brand new so it’s coming in at around $50 a bottle. It is in much shorter supply and far more unusual than most other bottles at that price and while I’m not sure I would choose it over the Japanese brands, I would certainly go out of my way to taste it again.

Cutty Sark Prohibition – I remember my uncle drinking Cutty Sark so I have a soft spot for the brand. I have on occasion gone out of my way to order it but don’t see others clamoring so when Cutty sent me a bottle of their Prohibition I was somewhat excited because if it simply gets people to pick up a bottle of Cutty, that’s not a bad thing. It’s a good whisky that shouldn’t languish. At 100 proof, the Cutty Pro might be strong enough to wake up a few taste buds without burning them out because it is measured and rich without an inordinate amount of heat.  A lingering smoke and touch of apple pie might make this a great after-Thanksgiving-dinner sipper. Like regular Cutty it’s simply good neat. At 100 proof though the Pro might be a good opportunity, with some sweet vermouth, to introduce your Manhattan-obsessed cousin to the Rob Roy.

We all know what makes a cocktail special. It’s the ice. Tovolo is sponsoring our holiday spirits contest with the prize of a huge collection of ice molds from spheres, to giant cubes, to king cubes, to highballs. If you have a freezer and love cocktails, you can win the ultimate ice kit.

Simply, send us your favorite original cocktail recipe, info@chicagofoodies.com, and the winner will get the entire Tovolo ice mold collection. Your drinks will be soooo fancy.

 

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