Tasting Notes (7.29.22)

Cotswolds Dry Gin ($42.99)
England

From the producer:
"Our award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin is a delectable blend of nine carefully-considered botanicals, including local lavender from the Cotswolds and freshly peeled pink grapefruit and lime zest. Due to the unusually high volume of botanicals we use, our gin causes a beautiful pearlescent cloud to appear when ice or tonic is added. A juniper-led gin with fresh citrusy notes and a hint of lavender."

Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin ($37.99)
Spain

From the producer:
"Each bottle of Gin Mare is made at our distillery, a thirteenth century chapel located in an ancient fishing village between the Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada.

A wholehearted Mediterranean gin.

Every bottle of Gin Mare is unique. The acidity levels of our star ingredient, the arbequina olive, change every year. This means each and every distillation is a unique culinary work of art."

Botanicals: arbequina olive, rosemary, thyme, basil, juniper, orange, coriander, lemon, green cardamom

Wandering Bartender "Ghosted" White Negroni ($4.99)
New York

From the producer:
"Handcrafted cocktails--bottled. We combine our own bitters, syrups, and infusions with quality spirits to create original cocktails. Brooklyn-bred, industry-proven. We are bartenders, waiters, managers--and now owners--with decades of experience serving New York City. Every cocktail is handcrafted at our lab in Brooklyn.

Ghosted White Negroni: Our Bianco Amaro and Bianco Vermouth are crafted in house and paired beautifully with a crisp London dry gin."

123 Organic "Tres" Tequila Anejo ($68.99)
Mexico

From the producer:
"123 Organic Tequila represent Founder and Tequilero David Ravandi’s devotion to creating agave spirits that express terroir, complexity, and delicate floral aromas. From the moment the agave matures at the USDA and EU certified organic estates, 123 Organic Tequila rely on local master artisans and Ravandi’s acute attention to detail during every stage of production.

Ravandi’s pursuit of quality and commitment to sustainability extends to the packaging of 123 Organic Tequila Blanco (Uno), Reposado (Dos), Añejo (Tres), Extra Añejo (Diablito), all of which are bottled in hand- blown recycled glass and labeled with soy ink-printed, recycled paper labels depicting the spirits’ Mexican heritage.

On a morning when three brilliant roosters (tototl) greet the dawn with hopeful songs of renewal, mature agave plants at the hacienda are ready to be hand harvested and Organic Blanco tequila awakens from an eighteen-month slumber in white oak barrels to be reborn as Añejo (Tres) Tequila. Just as the rooster has long been a symbol of virility and power in Mexican folklore, the complex aromatic bouquet and deep golden hue of Añejo (Tres) Tequila are signs of its superior quality and lengthy aging."

Craneo Mezcal ($61.99)
Mexico

From the producer:
"INSPIRED BY THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE, Cráneo Organic Mezcal is a single estate artisanal mezcal handcrafted by local maestro mezcaleros and agave aficionado David Ravandi in the heartland of Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. Honoring century old Mexican traditions, the sacred skull depicted on our label was inspired by the Aztec Goddess Mictecacihuatl 'Meek-teka-see-wahdl', the guardian of the bones, which symbolizes strength and influence. In turn, our artisanal mezcal derives its strength and character from agave espadin.

Classically structured on the nose with sweet barbecue smoke and hints of citrus, Cráneo is light and silky in body with flavors of orange and grapefruit peel, green banana, and spun sugar that punctuate a modestly-sweet smokiness. Cráneo Organic Mezcal begins with hand selecting 100% organic agave grown at 5,600 ft. Harvested when fully matured, charred pit oven roasted piñas are then crushed by a massive stone tahona to extract their sweet juice. Once natural fermentation occurs, small batches of Cráneo Organic Mezcal are distilled twice in copper pot stills capturing bold, complex flavors of agave, rich fermentation notes and smoke.

Dedicated to the preservation of ancient Oaxaca methods of artisanal distillation while sustaining the highest quality of production, founder David Ravandi combines the experience and respect of those who have produced the finest mezcal for generations with his own vision and passion."

Few American Whiskey ($45.99)
Illinois

From the producer:
"We start by hand-selecting a diverse and strong backcone of our award winning bourbon and rye whiskey. We then incorporate unexpected notes from a rich yet balanced malt whiskey that has been imbued with cherrywood smoke.

Approahable entry with graham cracker/honey on top and a savory rye spice below. Some tart cherry in the middle. A wisp of smoke rounds out the texture. Subtle white pepper and honey finish."