Staff Pick Spirits From the Gift Guide
Forthave Spirits Marseille Amaro $27.96
Italian amaros may steal all the shelf space, but this little gem from Brooklyn deserves your undivided attention. Founders Daniel de la Nuez and Aaron Fox have a small-batch, all-natural approach, using only organic botanicals and making all their concoctions in a tiny space in Greenpoint. Their Marseille amaro is based on the secret recipe of four medieval thieves who were caught stealing from plague victims in Marseille and set free when they gave up their recipe. You’ll find enticing aromas of cinnamon and clove, while on the palate they’re joined with Eucalyptus, vanilla, and anise. The addition of honey lends a soft sweetness in just the right amount to balance out the bitterness. It’s become one of my favorite after-dinner digestifs. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager
G4 Blanco Tequila $47.96
Four generations of the Camarena family have been crafting world-class tequila in Los Altos de Jalisco since 1937. Today, Felipe Camarena and his sons Luis Felipe and Alan carry on this tradition with an innovative style that is unlike any tequila I have experienced. The agave fields on the Camarena Ranch are surrounded by citrus and cherry orchards. Rainwater is collected and used in the distillation process along with fresh spring water. Minerality is a key component of this tequila, as the herbaceous and mineral flavors combine to create a truly terroir-specific journey for the senses. Natural ingredients are exclusively used and it is bottled additive free. The use of tahona and small brick ovens aids in this authenticity. Ultimately, G4 needs to be on your list of agave to have at the bar! – Alex Malecki, Sales Manager
Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur $34.96
I traditionally have shied away from anything that claims to have Coffee flavors. Save for the real thing. Mr. Black is the real thing! This liqueur is crafted with Australian wheat vodka, a touch of cane sugar, and 100% Arabica coffee sourced from Colombia, Kenya, and Papua New Guinea. The brand works directly with the farmers, co-ops, and importers to ensure that all workers are treated with respect, even requiring each grower to sign a commitment to the ethical sourcing policy. Mr. Black is vegan, gluten-free, and certified kosher, but one thing to note is that it does contain up to 40 percent of the caffeine found in a single shot of espresso. While this is a welcome addition to keep on any bar cart, my favorite application is a quick and boozy Affogato. Coffee + Gelato. – Evan Cucciniello, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Zumbador Blanco Tequila $29.99
Just as you can’t judge a book by its cover, when it comes to wine and spirits, you can’t always judge a bottle by its price (or label or name, for that matter). The latest example of that adage is this surprising gem of a blanco tequila from Roberto Lopez Anaya, the 4th generation distiller at Zumbador. And what’s not to love–small production, family run, artisanal, additive (and celebrity) free. Authentic tequila as it’s meant to be. Smooth and rich with notes of cooked agave, lime and grapefruit. Earthy, slightly peppery undertones add depth, while vanilla and caramel lend a pleasant rounded sweetness. This is delicious enough to sip neat, but also great in cocktails. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager
St. Agrestis Bag-In-Box Negroni RTD $59.96
I get it. You may be skeptical of the cocktail-in-a-box but rest assured you won’t be sacrificing quality for convenience. If it makes you feel better, think of your fridge as offering a Negroni on tap. I promise you that if you give it a chance, the chic box will begin to take on a glow of elegance even when sitting next to leftover Lo Mein. Made from the St. Agresitis Inferno bitter spirit, their own vermouth, and Greenhook Ginsmith’s Gin. It is a commanding drink delivering the perfect amount of floral sweetness with a pleasant botanical and a not too strong bitterness on the finish. With 20 servings per container, its value cannot be beat. Simply pour over ice, add an orange peel if you’re feeling fancy, and enjoy! – Hannah Weiss, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Astor Amaro $29.96
Scottish Amaro may not have been on your bingo card for the year, but maybe it should be. Coming from our close friends at Sweetdram, this extended barrel aged amaro showcases all the classic notes of gentian and candied orange peel, with the richness of Nonino and a diminished peat character that truly rounds the amaro out in style. With 5 years of barrel aging in the process the flavors have melded wonderfully into a spirit meant to be enjoyed on its own, but that blends in well in place of some of the classics for cocktails as well! I have been known for using it as a split base in an Amaro Daiquiri replacing 1oz of your rum of choice with this gem to spice things up a bit (literally). Give it a try and thank me later. – Benjamin Wright-Hoyt, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Bourbon Whisky $64.96
We get asked all the time do you have that Bourbon with the Horse and rider on top? Our answer is almost always No way and good luck finding it. Around Christmas when this first came in we had a few bottles of Horse and Rider Bourbon in stock for like a minute. It so happened that one of the little horses on top of the Horsey Bourbon bottle got broken so we got to open and taste it. I tasted this Old Forester side by side with the Horsey Boubon and I gotta say the Old Forester 1910 Old Fine blew that Horsey Bourbon away. This was just much fuller in mouthfeel, while still being very smooth and the Classic Bourbon vanilla wood sweet note came through high and clear. Just a delight and unlike that Horsey Bourbon this is available…at least for now. – Josh Mizrahi, Sales Manager