September Spirits

September S pirits

BY TOM FIRTH AND LINDA GARSON

We’re never quite sure what to expect of the weather in September; the dog days of summer are past but in

Alberta we’re lucky to still have warm days and light evenings, even if a little cooler - although we’re sure you can remember the snowstorm of September 10th a few years ago! But we’re optimists, and this issue we’re extending our summer drinks and revelling in delicious white spirits.

Laplandia Espresso Vodka, Finland I love my coffee, but don’t drink a lot of coffee-infused beverages - so there is a tendency to be very critical with these products. This was surprisingly good, with clean, balanced coffee flavours, and without too much bitterness, though a touch of sweetness shows on the palate. Well-crafted and quite tasty. CSPC +829854 About $40

Tumbler & Rocks Daiquiri The Fort Distillery, Alberta It’s a long way from the small town of Daiquiri, in Cuba, to Fort Saskatchewan, but The Fort Distillery have brought them closer with their new Tumbler & Rocks Daiquiri craft cocktail in handy 100 mL (purse and pocket size?) glass bottles. Just Alberta-distilled cane spirit, lime and sugar make this tart and refreshing, mouthwatering sipper – shake and pour over ice! CSPC +836601 $6-$7

Two Rivers Distillery Jalapeno Vodka, Alberta The glacial fed waters of the Bow and Elbow are the base of Two Rivers Distillery’s triple distilled single malt vodka, into which they macerate fresh, sliced jalapenos and then filter it to clear – but don’t be frightened by that, there’s exactly right amount of heat and warmth for a terrific dirty martini with a couple of olives (hold the vermouth!) or an easy Caesar! CSPC + 833792 $48 Laplandia Lingonberry Vodka, Finland A rather uncommon berry to Canadians, Lingonberry is well suited to preserves and a few other delicacies, such as vodka. Quite tart with a little sweetness, the flavours are a bit like raspberries and tart cherries with a zesty acidic kick. Lots of versatility here for mixed drinks. CSPC +828566 About $40

Wild Life Distillery Rundle Bar Gin, Alberta This gin is a gorgeous deep violet colour – no, wait, it’s bright blue! Canmore’s Wild Life have infused butterfly pea flowers in their gin for Fairmont Banff Springs’ Rundle Bar, so add ice and it turns blue, add tonic and it’s a regal purple. Meant for cocktails, it’s a gin that makes you feel special, and we suspect it will be high on everyone’s gift wish list this year! CSPC +836497 $59

Masahiro Okinawa Recipe 01 Gin, Japan Japanese gins are taking the world by storm and often skirting the two extremes between traditional or contemporary examples from Europe and North America. Remarkably floral and spicy, with subdued juniper notes and a rich juiciness akin to mandarin oranges on the nose, this would work well in a gin martini or with a splash of tonic and garnished with lime. CSPC +808730 $70