Gifts for the Adventurous Palate
Do your friends know the difference between raicilla and mezcal? Can they list more than three types of amaro? Here’s a great list for the adventurous spirits drinker.
Song Cai Distillery Vietnamese Dry Gin $34.96
This is the ultimate project of passion and local sustainability. Daniel Nguyen, started this company after working for Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment initiative. After working with the local farming community in the jungles of northwest Vietnam, he wanted to improve the cultivation of local crops and empower the local farming community. Sông Cái (meaning “Mother River”) is a gin made from all foraged botanicals (except juniper, which is imported). These local botanicals, such as jungle pepper, black cardamom, green turmeric, heirloom pomelo, local cinnamon leaf and bark, indigenous woods, white liquorice root, and dried mangosteen, give a spice-forward gin with juniper taking a background role. Try in a Gin Rickey with coconut water ice cubes and some bitters. – Matt Goodyear, Astor Wines & Spirits Sales Consultant
Empirical Spirits Soka Sorghum Spirit $44.96
Empirical Spirits are definitely in a singular category. These creations are unyielding to any particular definition and so much fun to explore. Soka is one of my favorites so far. Summer flowers, mango, melon, and cucumber aromas subtly ascend from the glass, but there is also an earthy element reminiscent of rhum agricole. I’d definitely explore this as a martini base, adding yuzu or shiso bitters. – Bambi Ray, Sales Manager
Destillerie Freihof Mirtillo Liqueur $44.96
Destillerie Freihof’s products are made on site at the family’s distillery in Lustenau, Austria. The Mirtillo Liqueur is made from alpine blueberries sourced from 2,350m in elevation, lime for freshness, juniper for its herbaceous/antibacterial qualities, and ginger for a spice note/anti-inflammatory properties. What you’re left with is a complex, fruit-based liqueur with concentrated blueberry fruit, a bittersweet herbaceousness, and a pleasant and subtle spice on the back palate. Delicious on the rocks with a splash of soda. – Matt Goodyear, Astor Wines & Spirits Sales Consultant
Kastra Elion Premium Greek Vodka $51.96
The Kastra Elion Premium Greek Vodka is distilled from hand-harvested, Greek olives from the Nafpaktos region of Greece. Mixed with curated, premium grain, this vodka is distilled in copper pots and blended with mineral-rich spring water from Mount Taygetus. The end result is a complex spirit, with savory pepper notes, crushed rocks and lemon, poppy seed cake. The texture really stands out as the rounded and buttery finish glides down the throat. – Matt Goodyear, Astor Wines & Spirits Sales Consultant
“The Best Dirty Martini”
-3 oz Kastra Elion Premium Greek Vodka
-½ oz Castelvetrano olive juice
-3 drops 10:1 saline solution
-Rinse of Manzanilla Sherry
-Stir to not disturb the vodka’s creamy texture.
-Garnish with olives.
Michel Couvreur Overaged Malt Whisky $69.99
A whisky aged in sherry casks in the damp caves of Burgundy for anywhere between 12-27 years already has my attention. Then you pull out the cork (yes, a cork)! A blend of over 50 malts from across Scotland combine with the sherry wood over many years to create a powerful experience, one that encompasses loads of dates, spices, and chocolate, with a wonderfully nutty finish. From a pure flavor standpoint, this is one of my favorite whiskies. There is a good dose of mystery and mystique behind the unique blend of malts and aging regiment in the caves, but what I can say is whatever happens down there only leads to positive results in your glass.- Alex Malecki, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant