APERITIVO
THE NEXT BIG THING? If you're a lover of earthy Mexican spirits, then we think this one may tickle your fancy Psst, have you heard about Sotol? So who? Sotol, it’s a local spirit from Mexico. What, like mezcal or tequila? Hmm, kinda but not really. Rather than agave, it’s made from Dasylirion shrub, a plant from the asparagus family. Never heard of it but thanks for enlightening me. What does it taste like? We’re talking about Nocheluna Sotol here, so in this particular instance: quite smooth, almost sweet and very, very mellow, with a
nice creamy texture. There’s a touch of the herbaceous, verging on grassy about it, too. We like it. A lot. Nice! Does it work in cocktails? Sure does. Try it mixed with pineapple juice and lime, with a sprig of mint, or simply serve with lemon soda. Sounds good. Anything else to note? Did we mention that Lenny Kravitz is the (very cool) face of the brand? Sold! Nocheluna Sotol, 43% ABV, nocheluna.com
The BOTTLE
book club
Aphro
Aphro is the modern, artisanal take on akpeteshie, the ancestral spirit of Ghana. Translated it means ‘in hiding’, which makes perfect sense when you consider that akpeteshie was first distilled surreptitiously in homes in the 1930s when alcohol was too expensive for most people to buy. Those days have long gone, thank goodness, and so too has its perceived bad rep. Now you can get a taste of Africa all around the world. valueafrica.co.uk For more homegrown products, see page 32.
Drink Like a Local…
By various authors How refreshing, how quaint – these specialised ‘field guides’ to the best bars in Paris, New Orleans, Texas and more are all written from an insider’s perspective. Each book comes with profiles of the bars, highlights of local bartenders, maps of the neighbourhoods and a collection of beautiful illustrations.
A Sense of Place: A Journey Around Scotland’s Whisky
By Dave Broom The next best thing to sharing a dram with Dave Broom in person is having him divulge his personal whisky journey in this evocative book. In it, he takes the reader by the hand and guides them around some of his key spots, introduces them to his favourite people and shares his most beloved bottlings.
16 THE COCK TAIL LOVERS / ISSUE 45
Bourbon: The Complete Guide to the Essential American Spirit
By Clay Risen Beautifully packaged, this is a must-have for anyone who is even vaguely interested in the intricacies of bourbon. As well as the book detailing the history of bourbon, there’s a pullout drawer containing reproductions of archive photos, rare bottle labels and more.
