Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1036886
DEPARTMENT HEADER 84 / the tasting panel / october 2018 84 / the tasting panel / october 2018 CATEGORY REPORT Tireless Trailblazer: ABSOLUT VODKA Absolut Vodka has always been ahead of the curve within the spirits industry, with its iconic advertising campaign launched in the 1980s serving as the most visible example. The brand also released flavored expres- sions long before the trend caught on with other vodka labels, and with the launch of its newest flavor, Absolut Grapefruit ($20), Absolut will continue its innovative streak of successes while remaining the number-one imported vodka brand in the U.S. Absolut Grapefruit joins the company's best-selling citrus portfolio of Absolut Citron, Absolut Mandrin, and Absolut Lime, the latter of which was released just last year. Made without added sugar*, the new expression distinguishes itself from competing flavored spir- its on the market by exuding just the right amount of pink grapefruit notes with a slight sweetness. Released this summer, Absolut Grapefruit can give a particularly memorable twist to a classic Paloma, but its ability to meld with a variety of drinks makes it a must-have for any bartender's collection. —Jesse Hom-Dawson A Bear of a Brand: BÄRENJÄGER With a history dating back to 18th-century Germany, the recipe that launched the Bärenjäger brand originated as a formula hunters and fur trap- pers used to lure bears out of hiding. The drinkable honey, originally known as Bärenfang ("bear trap") proved irresistible not only to the animals, but to their pursuers as well. The number-one honey liqueur in Germany, Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur ($29/750-milliliter bottle) features a high concentration of all-natural honey, and, at 70 proof, can impart a hint of sweetness and a bit of an edge to a wide range of cocktails. Available in 1-liter, 750-milliliter, 375-milliliter, and 50-milliliter bottles, the liqueur can also be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a warm libation. This Oktoberfest, Bärenjäger invites consumers to add a shot to their beer—particularly wheat beer—as it debuts a $29 limited-edition gift set with a 750-mil- liliter bottle of Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur and a Bärenjäger–branded stemmed beer glass. The 70-proof Bärenjäger Honey Bourbon ($29/750-milliliter bottle), meanwhile, blends the brand's honey liqueur with American bourbon whiskey, emerging as a category standout thanks to the craftsmanship of its producer, Schwarze & Schlichte. With its balanced, oak-tinged flavor profile and lingering threads of sweetness, it's the only imported honey liqueur featuring bourbon and no artificial flavors. —Kate Newton Bärenjäger Honey Bourbon If the potent honey notes on the nose aren't already pure enough, the voluptuously buoyant liquid will prove its dulce point. Flavors of lemon blossom enrich the sweetness of the honey while a jazzy tingle of white pepper zeroes in on and tackles any cloying notes. It's a perfect mixer for classic cocktails. 90 —M.M. ABSOLUT GRAPEFRUIT SWEDISH PALOMA ◗ 2 oz. Absolut Grapefruit ◗ 2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice ◗ ½ oz. fresh lime juice ◗ 1 oz. soda water Combine all ingredients except soda water and shake. Pour shaker contents into a Highball glass with a salted rim and top with soda water. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge. *Per 1.5 fluid ounce: 97 calories; 0 grams carbohydrates, protein, sugar, and fat.