Within the colder months of the calendar year, you are likely to find wine and spirits a recurring part of your social calendar. Whether you are hosting a gathering at home, celebrating New Year’s, partaking in an NFL Sunday or attending a holiday party, odds are that alcohol will be a part of that event’s equation. With craft spirits and specialized vineyards being more popular than ever these days, it is not always easy to keep up with the latest and greatest brands out there on the market.
As a frequent reader of industry trades, a prolific interviewer of brand ambassadors and a follower of key developments within the world of alcohol, I regularly take note of new products. Below are 15 recommended items to add to your home bar.
Chase Vodka is the only known English vodka made entirely from estate-grown potatoes. Chase Vodka is distilled three times using a small copper batch pot over 70-feet tall, making it the tallest rectification column in Europe. Produced on the Herefordshire family farm, this super-premium vodka is made entirely on one estate, making it a vodka with absolute, undeniable provenance.
Premium vodka taste and preparation aside, Crystal Head Vodka is undoubtedly the only vodka that comes packed in a skull. In turn, you have a spirit that couldn’t be anymore memorable; and that is without considering its affiliation with movie star and singer Dan Aykroyd. Crystal Head also recently made headlines with its participation in World Pride festivities, also sponsoring FLY Sundays throughout the summer season.
Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock & Rye
Looking for high-quality rye but don’t want to crack open a whole bottle to get your fix? Hochstadter has an ideal solution that sort of scenario. Thanks to Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock & Rye, now you “can” crack open a straight rye whiskey cocktail on-the-go. It is arguably the first-ever high-quality, high-proof cocktail in a 100ml can.
Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in 1996, the groundbreaking San Diego-based Stone Brewing is the 9th largest craft brewer in the United States. Recognized as an award-winning industry leader, Stone has been listed on the “5,000 Fastest Growing Private Companies” list of Inc. 12 times and has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate on two occasions.
Among its excellent recent unveilings have been the 4th-Of-July-centric Stone Enjoy By 07.04.19 Unfiltered IPA, the Enter Night Pilsener (an Arrogant Consortia collaboration with Metallica), the movie-themed series that included a Tropic Thunder tribute, the Stone Notorious P.O.G. (helmed with actor/comedian Jonah Ray) and its W00t Stout (made wit actor/writer Wil Wheaton and artist Alan Davis). Talk about a brewery that takes both pop culture and great beer seriously!
Alìe Rosé is a superbly-elegant and stylish wine produced in the Tuscan coastal town of Maremma. It is characterized by its pale rosé color with a beautifully-balanced blend of Syrah and Vermentino. The brand recently partnered with Livia le Divelec — Frescobaldi Toscana Brand Ambassador and Winemaker — with a well-attended event at New York City’s The Polynesian. Perfect for pairing with heavily-spiced dishes.
Dobel Diamante is the world’s first cristalino tequila, achieved by 11 generations of tequila making artistry and named for an industry legend and eleventh generation Tequilero, Juan Domingo Beckmann Legorreta. Maestro Dobel Tequila was born in 2008 from a ground-breaking family of tequila-makers who challenged traditional production methods to create the first modern expression of tequila.
Maestro Dobel is an extraordinary blend of Extra-Añejo, Añejo and Reposado tequilas. The liquid is expertly rested in Hungarian oak casks, then filtered through charcoal to eliminate any bitter notes and cask-imparted color, resulting in a crystal clear finish. The brand further differentiates itself by offering a world-class VR distillery experience in Mexico City, which is in addition to the 2016 release of Humito, a multi-aged smoked tequila that has proven to be the first of its kind.
Cocktail Artist is a line of premium cocktail mixes and bar ingredients designed in collaboration with award-winning mixologists from across the United States and the Bahamas. Simply put, the brand has been reinvigorating the mix category by using premium ingredients and having beautifully-designed packaging. Recently the brand announced the launch of four new beverages: Sangria Wine Mix, Mango Daiquiri-Margarita Mix, Cream of Coconut Bar Ingredient, and Lavender Syrup Bar Ingredient. These new additions bring the Cocktail Artist line up to 19 available items, and with these new products, the brand is proud to introduce collaborations with four new award-winning industry experts: Sarah Tracey, Charity K Johnston, Melisa Lapido, and Laura Newman.
Cocktail Artist also announced that it has partnered with Visit Myrtle Beach to host a competition in search of America’s Best Home Bartender. And of the 977 spirits, mixes, and bar ingredients entered into the 2019 SIP Awards — an international spirit and mixer competition known for enlisting consumers as judges — Cocktail Artist won the most medals of any other mixer or bar ingredient brand!
For nearly 150 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine-quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and Chambord. Old Forester is Brown-Forman’s founding brand, founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown. Brown believed Old Forester was so pure and consistent that he sealed it, signed it, and openly-pledged to the masses: “There is nothing better in the market.”
Old Forester will again celebrate the annual tradition of marking founder George Garvin Brown’s birthday with the release of Birthday Bourbon. The highly sought-after vintage-dated release will be the brand’s 19th consecutive iteration. The 2019 Birthday Bourbon is presented at 105 proof, the highest proof to-date for this special expression. After showing exceptionally unique character during a tasting panel, the 11-year-old barrels were chosen specifically for Birthday Bourbon. With a taste consisting of rich oak spice and blackcurrant coupled with light maple, caramel cake and white floral notes, the 2019 Birthday Bourbon is a one-of-a-kind expression with a truly unique multidimensional profile; the full allotment of product represents one day’s production of Old Forester.
Brugal 1888 Rum is known to be an extraordinary rum, as produced in the Dominican Republic. 1888 is first matured in hand-picked ex bourbon American oak casks, then in European oak, first-fill sherry casks. This unique blend of two usually-isolated worlds gives 1888 a complex yet smooth flavor profile. It was a winner at the 2018 World Rum Awards in the “Column Still” category and earned a Silver meal at the 2016 edition of the International Wine & Spirit Competition for “Rum – Golden – Caribbean – 37-45%.”
BON & VIV knows that when you strip everything away to its simplest level, you truly understand if it’s good quality. Knowing unflavored seltzers are among the best selling products in the non-alcohol market, the brand sought to launch a flavor that could be enjoyed on its own, with a squeeze of fruit, or as a base in your favorite cocktails. Its Classic variety has 0 grams of sugar, 90 calories, and is a sessionable 4.5% ABV. It is now available nationally and sold in 12 oz. and 16 oz. cans and on draft, making it one of the first — if not the absolute first — hard seltzers to be offered on tap.
For some good-natured hard seltzer humor, check out BON & VIV’s viral taste test content in which national sports analyst Adam Schefter and Hollywood’s notorious polygraph expert John Grogan were involved. Related to this campaign, it was announced that the brand will be the first-ever official hard seltzer sponsor of the NFL.
Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon
Crafted by critically-acclaimed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown in collaboration with cult-favorite winery Schrader Cellars, Double Diamond is a character-driven cabernet with exceptional flavor. Notably, Brown has led Schrader Cellars to unprecedented record of two-dozen 100-point scores during their (still-going) 18-year partnership.
A wine of finesse, Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon is bound to leave one with a lasting impression with intriguing aromas of black currants, dark cherries, cherry compote, and toast, that is mirrored on the palate. For yours truly, this was a very-welcomed to rosé, which many people (unfortunately) perceive to be as the go-to wine for the summer-centric celebrating.
Cavit Wines recently celebrated National Prosecco Day on August 13th with a fun and distinct unveiling: its trademarked Frosecco. Perfect for a hot summer day — or really any warm and sunny day — this frozen Prosecco cocktail is a wonderful combination of sweet and bubbly. Cavit’s recipe is easy to make it at home. Simply pour a bottle of Cavit Prosecco into a freezer proof container and freeze overnight. Add the frozen Prosecco, ¼ cup fresh lime juice, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, two tablespoons sweetener (agave is fine) and a ½ cup of ice in a blender and you will have a nice tart Frosecco ready and consumable within seconds of that last step.
For those not yet familiar with Cavit, its winemark Anselmo Martini is one of northern Italy’s top enologists. He earned his degree after several years of study at the renowned agricultural school and research center Istituto Agrario San Michele all’Adige (now known as the Edmund Mach Foundation). Over the years, Anselmo has become one of the most respected winemakers in the region, earned the title of “Winemaker of the Year” from “Guida Essenziale ai Vini d’Italia 2015” (“Essential Guide to Italian Wines 2015”) and for decades he has played an integral role in developing the winery’s reputation as Trentino’s leading wine producer.
Apple harvest season is around the corner, and Eden Specialty Ciders is one of the few cideries that is focused on producing its cider from local apples grown with respect to the environment. In addition, Eden — unlike huge cideries — presses its apples right after harvest ensuring the freshest, most vibrant flavors possible. As large cideries hold their apples in storage, they tend to create the same blends year after year. Meanwhile, Eden relies upon fresh apples and apples are biennial, meaning that the same varieties of apples are not always grown there. Thus, Eden’s blends always vary.
Eden was also the cidery that introduced “ice cider” to the United States. Before that, ice cider was only produced in Canada. Because their orchards are so far north — very close to the Canadian border in Vermont — Eden decided to produce ice ciders, which it has done with much success. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Eden Specialty co-founder Eleanor Leger, which can be read online via The Hype Magazine.
Zaya Gran Reserva Rum is produced in Trinidad and Tobago, known as the “Land of the Hummingbird.” It is believed these extraordinary birds contain the souls of the native ancestors. This celebrated symbol of the country can be found on the national coat of arms, currency and passport. Like the hummingbird, Zaya’s extraordinary blend of rare rums — all of which aged up to 16 years — captivate the senses with their vibrant and alluring island experience and sensibilities.
Copalli is a new premium organic single estate rum from Southern Belize. Co-founded by Anya Fernald, CEO of Belcampo, and Todd Robinson, a Marine Conservationist, Copalli’s rum is made from just three ingredients: heirloom sugar cane, yeast, and rainforest canopy water sourced directly from the distillery’s farm. Fernald’s extensive background in the food industry has seen her bring the “Slow Food Movement” to life, having appeared as a regular guest judge on Iron Chef America, and has been named one of the “40 Under 40” by Food & Wine, and a “Nifty Fifty” by The New York Times.
Awarded the “White Rum of the Year” at the 2019 New York International Spirits Competition, Copalli is showcasing what clean, sustainable spirits are capable of. Copalli is also eco-friendly, beyond its critical accolades, supporting sustainable agriculture causes in Southern Belize via producing premium organic spirits.
Sapporo x Bauchanthttps://sapporobeer.com
A glass of frosé is an easy choice. But what if you’re in the mood for a cold beer? The solution for both cravings come in the form of an inventive yet simple answer: a beer slushie. As helmed by the maker of Japan’s old beer company, Sapporo, below is how you can make that “Sapporo Slushie” with ease at home. Taste and texture-wise, you can expect Sapporo Premium’s citrus notes and light hops to complement the Bouchant orange liqueur and grapefruit juice, while ahe added lemon juice cuts through the sweetness for a refreshing drink.
Ingredients:
- 10 ounces of Sapporo Premium
- 1 ounce of lemon juice
- ¾ ounce of Bouchant liqueur
- ¼ ounce of grapefruit juice
Method:
- Stir together all ingredients to mix thoroughly, then portion into ice cube tray.
- Place tray in freezer for at least an hour. When frozen, release the cubes into a blender.
- Blend those ice cubes to a smooth consistency.
- Pour into a glass and serve with a straw.
