Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/31323
THE BRAND: AVIóN TEquILA A fan favorite, Avión debuted last year with rave reviews. It is small- batch-distilled and ultra-slow-filtered in a process that takes up to ten times longer than traditional filtration. THE BRAND: ZWACk This Hungarian liqueur has a pedigreed European history. The secret 220-year-old family recipe is a blend of 40 herbs and spices gathered from all over the world. ZWACK BERRY FLIP inspired by the Flip ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 1½ oz. Zwack herbal liqueur 1 whole egg ¾ oz. Funkin Blackberry purée 1 barspoon Allspice Dram 2 drops of bourbon vanilla bean extract ½ oz. Stirrings espresso liqueur Garnish with shavings of dark Mayan chocolate. Manny Hinojosa of Bacardi USA gives his drink an Asian twist. THE BRAND: BACARDI Rum SuPERIOR We all know the mixability of the world’s number-one-selling rum. Damian Windsor of L.A.’s Roger Room made the trip to San Francisco to wow us with this memorable drink. AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER inspired by the Whiskey Sour, the Diablo and the Margarita ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 1½ oz. Avión Reposado ¾ oz. Funkin William Pear purée 1 egg white ½ oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice Fresh ginger ½ oz. cinnamon-honey simple syrup 2 rounds of jalapeño and sliced pear Our Panel Votes: Pear and jala- peño is a wonderful combination; nothing was out of balance here. —Matt Stuhl Great presentation and an intrigu- ing combination of ingredients. —Gregory Nassar Andy Blue’s score: 95. Great frothy/creamy texture and flavor harmony. Tequila Avión Our Panel Votes: A perfect morning-after cocktail. —Misty Kalkofen Rich, spicy, viscous and complex. Just what I love in a Flip. —H. Joseph Ehrmann It is never easy to work a digestif into a cocktail, but in the hands of a talented mixologist like Robert, it can be magic! —Tony Abou-Ganim Andy Blue’s score: 93. A lush and creamy dessert drink. Diageo Spirits North America Robert Gonzalez of Diageo makes his drink in double time. His version of the pre-Prohibition classic, the Flip, gets its spici- ness from the herbs in Zwack. ROYAL THAI inspired by the Piña Colada 1½ oz. Bacardi Superior rum 2 oz. Funkin Lychee purée ½ oz. Bacardi Añejo rum ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ½ oz. Mandarin Napoléon liqueur 2 oz. of coconut cream ■ 3 fresh Thai basil leaves and 2 slices of Thai chili, muddled ¾ oz. fresh lime juice Our Panel Votes: I love the use of highly aromatic garnishes: both functional and beautiful. —Amanda Womack Nice aromas with each sip as flavors arrive in layers with the lychee lasting longest on the finish. —H. Joseph Ehrmann Sense-sational. Superb organo- leptic qualities with interesting choice of spice! —Kent Bearden Andy Blue’s score: 93. Tropical-exotic, complex and well-integrated. Bacardi USA may 201 1 / the tasting panel / 101