Wonderful World of Spirits

Hello members and welcome to the wonderful world of spirits!

Of course, you have the classics, Woodford Reserve, Makers Mark, Beefeater, and Grey Goose, but sometimes even people who pride themselves on liking what they like need to leave the comfort of your go-to for something fun and interesting. Below you will find a list of just a few of the new liquors I have put on the bar, and I really hope you give them a try!

(P.S. be sure to check the spirits list for all your options and don’t be afraid to ask your server or bartender to try a taste!)

Basil Hayden Dark Rye – Basil Hayden Dark Rye is the second expansion in the Basil Hayden family, following Basil Hayden Rye. This release is made by blending Kentucky Rye, Canadian Rye, and California Port. There’s a clear influence from the port on the palate. It’s sweet, consisting of a big bowl of berries and plums with a hint of vanilla dominating the sip. It’s far from dry, with the best way of describing this palate as juicy. The rye is drowned out as the port influence clearly dominates. That said, this is dangerously easy to sip due to its sweet flavor profile and low (80) proof.

Woodford Double Oaked Bourbon – For all the Woodford lovers, this is my favorite bourbon by Woodford. Woodford Double Oaked is produced by re-barreling Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select in a second virgin charred oak barrel for a little under a year. The second barrel used is deeply toasted before being lightly charred. Oak and sweet vanilla are the dominant flavors here. Beneath are subtle hints of leather, caramel, and dried dark fruits. Seeing as this was exposed to new charred oak twice, it’s surprising to see how well the sweetness of the vanilla plays nicely with the woody oak flavors. Double Oaked manages to come across as richer and heavier in comparison to standard Woodford Reserve.

Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength Irish Whiskey – When you think “Irish Whiskey” most people jump for Jameson, but if you are looking to dive into a high-end Irish Whiskey, Redbreast is one of the best! Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in copper pot stills, Redbreast 12 boasts the flavor complexity and distinctive qualities of Pot Still whiskey. Matured in a combination of Bourbon seasoned American Oak barrels and Oloroso Sherry seasoned Spanish oak butts, the distinctive Redbreast sherry style is a joy to behold in each bottle. The Cask Strength expression gives a glimpse of Redbreast 12 in its natural, full-flavored taste. Redbreast is a wild and awesome ride of an Irish Whiskey. Even as a single malt whiskey, it plucks several traits from bourbon and rum that challenge and intrigue me in ways no other bourbon, rye, or single malt whiskey does. I’ve never had a single malt whiskey with that toasted cinnamon bun flavor, making it one of the more oaky, toasty, and wood-spicy single malt whiskeys out there. It must come from that combination of triple distillation, blend of bourbon and sherry-aged whiskey, and aging in Ireland that creates this captivating experience.

Reyka Icelandic Vodka – Please welcome what is in my opinion the BEST vodka on the market right now. Reyka Vodka is from the island of Iceland and is the go-to of many bartenders and mixologists I know. The secret to this vodka named after the ancient Icelandic word for steam, is water. The distillery sources its water from a glacier that runs through a 4,000-year-old lava field in the shadow of Mount Hafnarfjall. The emission-free Icelandic distillery channels that same volcanic energy to power the distilling operations. What results from the process is one of the smoothest vodkas on the market, with a wet, clean taste and no lingering heat or biting aftertaste—perfect for people who aren’t fans of the sharp taste of the vodka. Use in your next Martini, Gibson, or anything you drink with Vodka!

Hendricks Orbium Gin – Orbium contains the same distillates as traditional Hendrick’s Gin, however the same remarkable Master Distiller that broke conventions by infusing gin with essences of cucumber and rose has now taken gin in a completely new direction. This gin is infused with flavors that are traditionally associated with classic gin libations; quinine found in tonic (G&T) and wormwood found in Vermouth (martinis). The addition of lotus blossom exquisitely balances the overall flavor, and the trinity of these essences combines to create a complex gin with surprising brightness and a finish that is uncommonly long. The result is an unfamiliar taste that is peculiarly familiar in character, designed to open previously unexplored dimensions of gin as it spirals from floral into an altogether deeper and alluringly bitter place. A perfect synergy of flavor creating a delicious, unexpected gin offering a different dimension to the Hendrick’s house style making it perfect for the martini obsessed imbiber.

Stay tuned for next month’s beverage article, Tyler Whittico, Food & Beverage Director