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SPIRITUAL GUIDE A guide for spiritual enlightenment by the pious team at Glengarry. Join us monthly as we explore everything spirit related.
GARRISON BROTHERS
Garrison Brothers is one of the rare bourbon whiskeys made outside of Kentucky or Tennessee. It was, in fact, the first legal bourbon distillery in Texas, and until recently, it was almost impossible to find a bottle outside the State. In 2005, Dan Garrison purchased a small ranch outside the city and started building his own distillery. The first batch was not a success. The scorching 54-degree Texas heat destroyed the barrels. They cracked, leaked, and some broke altogether, in the process losing hundreds of gallons. Dan’s spirit was stronger than his casks though, and he eventually found a cooperage in Minnesota that was willing to form custom barrels for him. It then took years of trial and error, involving more than 50 different recipes, to perfect the bourbon, with numerous trips to Kentucky to learn from expert producers. Each spring, Dan recruits local volunteers, to help him bottle the latest batch in between rounds of shots. They wax dunk each neck and stamp the top with the iconic Texas Star logo. Once inspected and polished, the bottle number is handwritten, and each one is hand-signed with a silver marker. Dan’s special batch ‘Cowboy Bourbon’ has now been Jim Murray’s American Whiskey Of The Year twice. Everything is bigger in Texas, and it’s safe to
The final result is made from organic Texasgrown corn and wheat, sourcing limestone-rich rainwater from the distillery rooftop. It stands out for its use of a far more expensive fresh sweet mash for each batch, rather than the usual multiyear sour mash. Over at least three years in oak, the extreme heat forces the bourbon further into the wood’s crevices than it does in Kentucky, extracting more sugars and colour from the pores. They vary the mash bill and alter the distillation proof each season, meaning every vintage is unique and individually labelled. They’re not that concerned with consistency, because consistency is boring.
say Garrison Brothers is living up to that reputation.
- R.M
THE RISE OF NEW ZEALAND GIN
Of late, gin seems to have taken a page from rose's current playbook and exploded onto the local scene, even adopting its vinous sibling's rosy hues at times. With the popularity of gin at an all-time high, a dedicated group of New Zealand craft gin producers have concluded that it's their time to shine, putting their time and money on the line to produce high-end, smallbatch gins that are making the world sit up and take notice.
With native botanicals and water sources varying from town to town and region to region, there are some singular expressions appearing up and down the country. These are excellent gins by anybody's standards; but don't take our word for it, try them for yourself.
- G.G
The French concept of 'terroir', where place of origin is an integral and critical factor in the make-up of a wine, has been embraced by other disciplines – craft beer, for instance – and with gin itself a natural spirit infused with botanicals, the notion is equally applicable. Thus, a gin handcrafted in New Zealand is intrinsically Kiwi in its subtle nuances, which means that these NZ-made gins can invoke the provenance of their home turf via pristine, locally-sourced ingredients. When combined with fastidious production standards, it makes for a whole new industry showing signs of immense potential.
MALFY THE VERGNANO FAMILY DO SUPER PREMIUM ITALIAN GIN
While popularly thought of as a Dutch invention, it is in Italy that the true origins of gin can be found. From as far back as the 11th Century, Italian monks made a crude spirit infused with juniper, eventually even coming to believe in it as a medicine to combat the Black Death.
This long tradition of distillation was still in practice when, in 1906, Fratelli Ferrero di Riccardo, a family from Piedmont established in the wine and vermouth business, founded a distillery in Moncalieri, just outside the city of Torino. The distillery was purchased in 1992 by Carlo Vergnano and remains a family-owned operation run by Carlo, his wife Piera and their daughter Rita.
Since then the distillery’s brand, Malfy, has become internationally famous for its range of premium gins. Malfy now produces four superb spirits: the Originale (think traditional dry gin), the Con Limone (made using a citrus extract, this is gin meets limoncello), the Gin Rosa (Sicilian pink grapefruit) and the Con Arancia (Sicilian blood orange).
Different botanicals are utilised across the range, but it is the lemon sourced from the stunning Amalfi Coast that gives the company their name and the gins their defining quality. Citrus forward, bright and fresh, these are quintessential gins to sip on a hot summer afternoon.
- D.L
EVENTS AND TASTINGS
GORDON & MACPHAIL DISCOVERY
RANGE INSTORE TASTING
VICTORIA PARK WHEN: Wednesday 13 November WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park, 118 Wellesley St West Auckland TIME: 4:00pm-7:00pm
As an introduction to the Gordon & MacPhail portfolio, Discovery is curated to offer an utterly dependable and consistent choice of their finest single malt whiskies. Each expression sits within the bold flavour profiles of either 'Sherry', 'Smoky', or 'Bourbon', making these single malts the perfect match for the whisky-lover who enjoys exploration through flavour and character. We'll be tasting Bunnahabhain (Sherry), Glenrothes (Sherry), Tormore (Bourbon), and Ledaig (Peat) between 4pm and 7pm, so pop by and have a taste.
DEVONPORT WHEN: Thursday 14 November WHERE: Glengarry Devonport, Cnr Clarence & Wynyard Devonport TIME: 4:00pm-7:00pm
PALS | INSTORE TASTING MT EDEN A new venture from the folk at Master of Ceremonies, Pals is a brand new, all natural, RTD range. The three flavour ranges include; Gin lemon cucumber and soda, Vodka lime and soday, and Vodka watermelon mint and soda. Head instore today between 5pm and 7pm to try the whole range of PALS! Read more... WHEN: Friday 15 November WHERE: Glengarry Mt Eden Village, 417 Mount Eden Road Mount Eden TIME: 5:00pm-7:00pm
SOJU | TASTING AT GLENGARRY SPIRITS
Join us at our Glengarry Spirits store, Jervois Road, for a tasting of Soju. We'll be trying Chateul Soorok Moscato, Chateul Soorok Apple, Chateul Soorok Peach, and Chateul Soorok Watermelon. No need to book, just pop in between 3 and 6pm to try! Read more...
WHEN: Friday 15 November WHERE: Glengarry Jervois Rd, 54 Jervois Rd Ponsonby TIME: 3:00pm-6:00pm
ARDBEG SUPERNOVA Ardbeg have revived their peatiest expression, Ardbeg Supernova, four years after their last release of the cult whisky. Ardbeg Supernova was matured in ex-bourbon casks and is described as having aromas of ‘pungent aniseed, menthol and eucalyptus’, with a ‘nebula of bonfires, soot, charred oak, birch tar and menthol’ on the palate. Quantities worldwide are tiny. As an Ardbeg Embassy store, we managed to get an allocation of two bottles. We thought we would share it with as many of you as possible (before Jak claims them). We are only doing two tastings, so book early and join Ed as he talks you through Ardbeg’s latest release. To whet the appetite, we will also be tasting the 10Year-Old, An Oa, Uigeadail, Drum, and Grooves.
WHEN: Wednesday 20 November OR Wednesday 4 December WHERE: Glengarry Jervois Rd, 54 Jervois Rd Ponsonby TIME: 7:00pm
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THICK SHAKES…NOT JUST FOR KIDS Life is full of guilty pleasures so why not celebrate it with an alcoholic thick shake which can become a fun addition to your "cheat day dessert at home" repertoire.
Lewis Road Liqueur Ambassador, Jonny Cresswell, will be showcasing the versatility of Lewis Road Chocolate and Kahlua Cream Liqueur. Rum, Vodka, Whiskey or Tequila thickshakes, which will you go for?
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WHEN: Wednesday 20 November WHERE: Glengarry Grey Lynn, 23 Williamson Ave Grey Lynn TIME: 7:00pm
MALT CLUB | THE REVIVAL OF GLENALLACHIE We are thrilled to welcome our good friend and recently crowned, New Master of the Keepers of the Quaich, Michael Fraser Milne from Whisky Galore. Michael will be sharing whiskies from the newly revived GlenAllachie Distillery. If you are familiar with Master Distiller Billy Walker, you may know that after relinquishing his ownership of the BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh distilleries, he has taken the GlenAllachie Distillery under his wing and he has big plans for it. Join us for our November Malt Club as we taste our way through these exceptional whiskies.
WHEN: Thursday 21 November WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park, 118 Wellesley St West Auckland TIME: 7:00pm
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MARTELL COGNAC Three hundred years of passion and audacity has built the legacy that is Martell, the oldest of the great cognac houses. Knowledge passed from generation to generation has created cognacs that are enjoyed all over the world, including right here, at the Glengarry Spirits store on Jervois Road. This tasting will be presented by Opelie Neil, the New Zealand based Brand Ambassador for Martell. We will
WHEN: Wednesday 27 November WHERE: Glengarry Jervois Rd, 54 Jervois Rd Ponsonby TIME: 7:00pm
taste the XO, Cordon Bleu, VSOP and VS. Whether you are a connoisseur of cognac or a novice, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Please book early.
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MALT CLUB | WHISKY AND CHAMPAGNE Glengarry Head Honcho Jak Jakicevich, GM Liz Wheadon, our Wellington shepard Philip Rowe and our Fine Wine Manager Regan McCaffery all have their fixation. Jak is a committed fan of Single Malt whiskies, Liz is a champagne fiend, Philip is our wine wizard and Regan, our guru on all things wine. They are teaming up with Jak on three separate nights to share their respective obsessions to present and taste with you a selection of 6 wonderful drams matched with top Champagne. Each of them will be flourishing the attributes of six of their favourites. Is it a duel? A face-off? We don’t know. Will it be entertaining and enlightening? Absolutely.
WELLINGTON with JAK & PHIL WHEN: Thursday 28 November WHERE: Glengarry Thorndon, 53 Hutt Road Pipitea TIME: 7:00pm
AUCKLAND with JAK & LIZ WHEN: Wednesday 4 December WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park, 118 Wellesley St West Auckland TIME: 7:00pm
AUCKLAND with JAK & REGAN WHEN: Thursday 12 December WHERE: Glengarry Victoria Park, 118 Wellesley St West Auckland TIME: 7:00pm
THE SPIRIT OF OTAGO | CARDRONA DISTILLERY Nestled between Lake Wanaka and Queenstown, lies the pristine Cardrona Valley.
Amongst the surreal alpine scenery is home to New Zealand’s artisan distillery rightfully named; Cardrona Distillery. After a trip over to Scotland, head distiller Desiree Whitakers’ love affair began and eventually Cardrona Distillery was born. Since then their range of artisan spirits have grown to include Whiskey, Gin, and Liqueurs. All produced in small batches, using traditional methods, and with three key ingredients; malted Scottish two-row barley, pure alpine water and yeast! Tonight we have Pat from Cardrona talking us through their story as we sample their Vodka, one Whiskey, two Gin expressions, and three Liqueurs!
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WHEN: Thursday 5 December WHERE: Glengarry Mt Eden Village, 417 Mount Eden Road Mount Eden TIME: 7:00pm
MALT CLUB | MALT WHISKY 101 WITH JAK JAKICEVICH
WHEN: Saturday 7 December WHERE: Glengarry Grey Lynn, 23 Williamson Ave Grey Lynn TIME: 7:00pm
Join us for our first Whisky night in our new Grey Lynn Store! First things first, a Malt 101 seems in order, it’ll be perfect for a total whisky newbie or as a refresher for those more familiar with the great spirit! A fun and informative evening discussing regional differences and styles of the whisky world. So, if you’re into the whole Malt thing (and so many of you are) why not grab a friend who's new to it and come along for an evening of enthusiastic delight and high spirits wrapped around some informative and enlightening discussion. Our host for the night will be Jak Jakicevich, our whisky supreme and the owner of Glengarry Wines. Good times are guaranteed - see you there!
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MOUNT EDEN GIN CLUB | THE WEIRD AND THE WONDERFUL Among the recent global explosion, the alchemy aspect of gin distillation has led to the creations of weird and wonderful derivatives. Be it experimental and boundary pushing ingredients, the use of various casks, colours of bright pink
and deep purple, or all of the above, there isn’t much the craft gin distillers haven’t tried. Tonight, we dive head first into the wonderland, tasting these creations neat, before mixing recipes recommended by the distillers themselves. This is not a night to miss! PS, yes there will be rose gin styles, a perfect date for Valentines eve.
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WHEN: Thursday 13 February WHERE: Glengarry Mt Eden Village, 417 Mount Eden Road Mount Eden TIME: 7:00pm
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL SPIRIT TASTINGS
That's it for this month's Spiritual Guide. Issue Twenty will be coming your way next month with more guidance through the spiritual world. Cheers,