2 minute read
Local Libations
LOCAL
Libations
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Sip your way through State 48
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
According to the American Distilling Institute, the number of distilleries across the United States has jumped from less than 200 to more than 2,000 since 2010, with several of the most spirited of spirit makers right here in Arizona. Here are some of our favorite locally made libations.
SANTAN SACRED STAVE CINNAMAPLE BREAKFAST WHISKEY
Whiskies at SanTan Spirits, an extension of the Chandlerbased brewery launched in 2015, are a point of pride as each varietal is curated from two to four years using E’Levage, a time-intensive process that allows each batch to breathe deep into the wood for maximum flavor infusion. The difference that this process makes is exceptionally obvious with this new offering—a sweet, smooth blend of premium whiskies, cinnamon liqueur, and real maple syrup.
$24.99 AT WWW.SANTANSPIRITS.COM
O.H.S.O. ARCADIA MEYER LEMON VODKA
In the years since O.H.S.O. debuted its Arcadia line of vodka—ranging from rosemary to coffee to horseradish—the nano-brewery has grown exponentially, adding a larger-scale distillery and opening sister locations statewide. Distilled with sugarcane and fresh Meyer lemon peels, this bright and crisp vodka with a candied tart fiish and hint of meringue makes the brand’s success crystal clear.
$25 AT WWW.OHSOBREWERY.COM
BLUE CLOVER GIN
The first-ever micro-distillery in Old Town Scottsdale focuses on adding modern twists to its spirits. Case in point—the key botanicals in this gin are blood orange, rose, and peach rather than a heaping of more traditional elements such as juniper, coriander, anise, or lavender. The result is floal yet clean, and still slightly herbaceous.
$25.99 AT WWW.BLUECLOVER DISTILLERY.COM
ADVENTUROUS STILLS ABSINTHE VERTE
Much like chefs focus on farm-to-table dishes, Adventurous Stills focuses on grain-to-bottle distilling. The Tempe craft distillery, which was founded in 2015, uses 70% of locally grown grains in its products and makes everything by hand in the distillery using two handfabricated, all-copper stills. This first-of-its-kind Arizona absinthe explodes with coriander, chamomile, and spearmint, offering a robust herbal profile appealing to absinthe novices and aficionados alike.
$37 AT WWW.ADVENTSTILLS.COM
WHISKEY DEL BAC DISTILLER’S CUT
Founded by a Tucson furniture designer who used mesquite wood in his work to showcase the native Arizona plant, Whiskey Del Bac is made by malting barley, which is at the core of the whiskey-making process, over mesquite wood to achieve what the founder calls a “mesquited, not peated” flavor profile. The Distiller’s Cut, bottled at cask strength, is a limited edition offring that varies slightly from batch to batch and seas on to season. When a new bottle releases, run—don’t walk—to get your hands on one.
GRAND CANYON DISTILLERY CINNAMON FIRE THUNDER SNOW
When Northern Arizona’s Grand Canyon Brewing launched a distillery in 2017, it wanted to create spirits that stood out. An extension of its ultra-popular white corn whiskey, this warming winter winner is made by adding habanero and vanilla to the traditional recipe, and then steeping real cinnamon sticks in batches during the aging process for a dreamy depth of flvor.
