Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/205467
SPEED TASTING REPORT The King's Ginger T he King's Ginger ($40) is a highstrength, 82-proof liqueur created by shredding and then macerating Chinese ginger root and the addition of citrus in the form of lemon oil. Berry Bros. & Rudd formulated this rich and zesty spirit in 1903 to maintain the health of King Edward VII, who was exposed to the elements in his new horseless carriage. The Panel's Notes "A small amount of 1985 Glenrothes provides depth and structure to this distinctive and complex liqueur. It offers up a viscous mouthfeel and an authentic ginger tingle! I love the mix of sweet Alan Kropf is the Director and spicy."—Jamie Klages, The of Education for Anchor Palace Hotel Distilling Company. "Honey, orange blossom and the ever-present ginger notes make for a sensational palate feel and taste. This is a spirit where a bartender's imagination can lead to many applications. Very balanced and rich. I would love to try this in a Scotch Old Fashioned."—Jon Gasparini, RYE Caliche Rum S errallés is Puerto Rico's founding rum distillery and in 1865, Don Juan Serrallés was the first to import copper pot stills from France. Today, sixth-generation rum producer Roberto Serrallés (also known for his award-winning DON Q rums), has modernized white rum with Caliche ($25). Hospitality entrepreneur Rande Gerber partnered with Serrallés for this project when they saw an opportunity to create a super premium aged white rum. White rums are usually not aged, but Caliche contain four different aged rums (three, four, and five years old, with a small portion of solera rum), a technique that add a particular character aroma and depth. Caliche's solera system consists of a three-layer arrangement of casks. The maturate from the lower layer casks, which are the oldest, is used for the blend. Those casks are then refilled with product from the casks in the middle layer. Maturate from the upper layer is then used to refill the casks in the middle. The Panel's Notes "Labor intensive to produce, this peppered and earthy rum in the dimpled white glass has pretty peach and peach pit mid-palate notes with a deep, black strap molas- Barclay Webster of ses depth on the finish."—Gregory Nasser, The Ozumo Group Serralles USA. "The dry peppered finish and minerality [Caliche translates as limestone, a rock that is found around Destilería Serrallés in Ponce, Puerto Rico] melds nicely with the sweet mid-palate vanilla and fruit notes. One of the most unique superpremium white rums available."—David Nepove, SWS Director of Mixology 130 / the tasting panel / november 2013 TP1113_109-156.indd 130 10/24/13 9:17 AM