Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/221505
SPEED TASTING REPORT BICOASTAL BREW: HOTEL CALIFORNIA TEQUILA Manhattan Beach ◗ 1 oz. Hotel California Añejo Tequila ◗ 1 oz. pineapple juice ◗ ½ oz. orange juice ◗ ½ oz. sour mix ◗ Top with egg white foam, pineapple garnish Brian Whitney, CEO of Hotel California Tequila, with brand mixologist Eric King, who enjoys a sip of his Manhattan Beach cocktail. "This cocktail combines the fun lifestyle of both coasts," laughs Brian Whitney, CEO of Hotel California Tequila, which served up a bicoastal cocktail called the Manhattan Beach—an homage to the Southern California beach with a distinctively NYC name. Handcrafted and small-batch cold-distilled from eight- to ten-year-old Highlands agave, Hotel California Tequila is much more than an Eagles tribute: The brand's Añejo expression is deep and rich, with bountiful honeyed baked agave flavor that our panel loved with the cocktail's pineapple presence. "The añejo works so well with the pineapple and orange, creating a nice balance of topicality and rich agave notes," comments brand mixologist Eric King. The Hotel California brand will be expanding in upcoming months, with a tequila-based amaretto to roll out in early 2014. Jillian Vose said, "I love the amaretto!" The New York Review: "Fresh and fruity! Belongs on a beachRachel Burkons "A good nose, and the confectionary notes in the Añejo come through in the drink—I really liked the pineapple leaf garnish!" —Jillian Vose "I like the use of only tequila with no other spirits. It really shows off the liquor." —Pamela Wiznitzer NO SMOKE IN THE CITY: ZIGNUM MEZCAL Made from 100% green agave, Zignum Mezcal is a definite rulebreaker. "Zignum Reposado is not your average mezcal," explains Claire Needham, a bartender at New York's The Beagle. "While the Resposado certainly has a certain smoky character to it, it's not as pronounced as many other mezcals, as the piñas are not smoked in the baking process, giving other flavors the opportunity to come through." Aged eight to nine months in French and American white oak, Zignum Reposado offers nuanced sweetness mingled with deep spice: "The Reposado has a lot of depth of character outside of the classic smoke. There are some dark flavors and vanilla-chocolate notes that make this an excellent mixing mezcal." Black Market ◗ 1 ¼ oz. Zignum Reposado Mezcal The New York Review: "Chocolate truffle with creamy coffee brûlée notes; very round and enticing." —Rachel Burkons "A beautiful balance of flavors with coffee, bitter florals and fruit." —Pamela Witziner "Not your typical mezcal, and a well-balanced cocktail. Bitter with dark round fruit and chocolate." —Eryn Reece ◗ ¾ oz. Barolo Chinato ◗ ½ oz. Cruzan Black Strap Rum ◗ ½ oz. Suze Gentian Claire Needham is a bartender at The Beagle in NYC. Liqueur ◗ Lemon twist 108 / the tasting panel / december 2013 TP1213_104-148.indd 108 11/23/13 8:36 PM