Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/142283
SPEED TASTING REPORT Good as Gold In Vegas, the blingier, the better. But the "gold" in Karlsson's Gold Vodka (SRP $32) is more than style over substance, and refers instead to Sweden's "farmer's gold": heirloom virgin new potatoes, the base ingredient in gluten-free Karlsson's. "Because the potatoes are of such high quality, we take all of the steps to preserve their natural character and texture," said Courtney Bennett, Area Sales Manager. While Bennett tasted the panel on the brand's 2008 (earthy and complex) and 2009 (sweet and floral) vintages, mixologist Jason McIntire of Vesper at The Cosmopolitan also Courtney Bennett, Area Sales presented the Swedish Manager, Karlsson's Gold Dragon, a cocktail that Vodka. was inspired by the Las Vegas celebration of Chinese New Year. "Celebrating the Chinese New Year is huge in Vegas," commented Bennett, "and that kind of party can only be further celebrated with a Swedish Dragon!" The Rat Pack Says "Great balance of heat and earth flavor, and the frothy egg white foam is perfect at slowing the attack of heat and flavor from the ghost pepper. This cocktail screams perfection." —Ben Grosse "This is a very well-executed cocktail, with a lot of ingredients—yet they all shine through." —J. R. Starkus "A very good representation of the base spirit, and the pepper and basil work harmoniously with the five spice syrup, and the honey from the Chartreuse rounds out the flavor with complexity and balance." —Chris Hopkins ♠ Swedish Dragon created by Jason McIntire, Mixologist at Vesper at the Cosmopolitan ◗ 1 oz. lemon juice ◗ 3 basil leaves ◗ 3 drops ghost pepper ◗ ½ oz. Chinese five-spice syrup ◗ ½ oz. Yellow Chartreuse ◗ 1½ oz. Karlsson's Gold ◗ Splash egg white Las Lemongrass With a line of shochus and vodkas with flavors like lychee and young coconut, Kai Vodka offers plenty of exotic base spirit options for this Vegas-inspired cocktail. "I used the Kai Lemongrass (SRP $24.99) because it is a flavor chameleon," said Amy Bender, Director of Sales for Kai Vodka. "It is capable of going away from just Asian and into other unexpected flavor categories— even old Vegas!" Crisp and light with a hint of vegetal citrus, the fragrant lemongrass spirit got the vintage Vegas treatment in The Amy Bender is the Director of Dean Martini, Sales for Kai Lemongrass Vodka. named after famed Vegas fan Dean Martin and combined with port to really round out the flavors: "Port just screams old Las Vegas!" We can imagine the original Rat Pack would've loved this classic yet exotic mix. The Rat Pack Says "Slightly floral notes coat the tongue with sweet fig notes and orange finish. Nice balance." — Max Solano "Kai is a fantastic brand, and the lemongrass notes shine through." —Patricia Richards "Great use of port in a cocktail, and nicely balanced bitterness coming through from the Aperol." —Kent Bearden ♣ Dean Martini created by Wade Sooy of Morimoto Waikiki ◗ 1½ oz. Kai Lemongrass 70 Proof ◗ ½ oz. Fonseca Bin No. 27 Port ◗ ¼ oz. Aperol ◗ 1 oz. freshly squeezed and double-strained orange juice ◗ Muddle lemon juice, basil, pepper and syrup. Add the Yellow Chartreuse, Karlsson's Gold and egg white. Dry shake. Add ice, shake. Top with cracked pepper. ◗ egg white (optional) ◗ Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist. 126 / the tasting panel / july 2013 TP0713_100-148.indd 126 6/24/13 6:04 PM