FOOD & DRINK
SPIRITS ANIMALS
SPIRITS AND THEIR ANIMAL CONNECTION By Lori Simmons Zelenko
pirit animals guide us through the journey of life, they bond with us to reveal how to leverage our personal best as we move forward day by day and, yes, cocktail by cocktail. Protective forces that relate to our inner character, spirit animals may have originated with Native Americans, but their acceptance transcends faiths and cultures. Each spirit brand we’ve shared here intuitively reveals the characteristic traits of spirit animals—yours, mine, and ours. Each creature resonates, transcending the bottle to embrace us all as we imbibe. No doubt a few sips of Mezcal empowers, so what better spirit animal to share than the wolf? War and sun combined in a keystone figure, a predator yet a valuable environmental catalyst. Bourbon and Kentucky, the land of racehorses bred to perfection, are inextricable. So, it’s only natural that thoroughbreds would be exalted on stellar vintages. Some wink at the concept of spirits’ animals, wittily remarking on an animal connection that speeds us virtually to destinations and desires. Others have a heritage with symbols speaking to history and mythology, from fire-eating dragons to rapacious raptors, each bottle we’ve selected has a tale to tell. What’s your story? Who’s your spirit animal? What spirits’ animal do you gravitate to? Read on to find a force that’s ready to be with you.
PINHOOK BOHEMIAN BOURBON
HUMBOLDT ORGANIC VODKA
With a personality as unique as the thoroughbred on the label, this high proof Bourbon is an instant collectible. Pinhook’s 2020 vintages are the first whiskeys to come out of the distillery (Castle & Key) in 50 years. Proofed at 95 and meticulously blended, this champion spirit has aromas of orange peel, candied pecans, clove, and wet stone. Bet on this winner! Info: pinhookbourbon.com.
The crab on the bottle of this 100 percent organic vodka is a nod to Northern California’s Humboldt County and the community’s tradition of crabbing and fishing. Slow carbon-filtered at sea level, this crisp, clean vodka is distilled from organic sugarcane. The crab makes a statement here, reminding us of how important it is to preserve the pristine waters that flow through an untouched True California. Genuinely the spirit of California! Info: humboldtdistillery.com.
68 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
