Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/23459
CHANDRA LAM, DIRECTOR OF MIXOLOGY, SOUTHERN WINE & SPIRITS OF HAWAII STARTS THE NEW YEAR WITH A TOAST To Your Health! photos by Julius Vergabera “To your health!” A simple toast known the world over. Some may find it ironic to be toasting to one’s health while consuming alcoholic beverages that would deter just that . . .or do they? With research point- ing to the conclusion that some alcohol in moderation may not be the devil after all, we can look back at history when many spirits were, in fact, created primarily for medicinal use, adding alcohol in order for the herbs and botanicals to be palatable. Some of the most loved spirits of all time were composed as health-enhancing elixirs, with longevity as the first and foremost goal; enjoyment was secondary. 86 / the tasting panel / january–february 201 1