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Brands on Our Radar Here at THE TASTING PANEL, we’re well-versed in the long-loved and -revered brands that have been impressing palates for years, decades or even centuries. But we’re also always keeping an eye out for the next big thing, the future hot trend and, of course, up-and-coming spirits brands! That’s why we’re proud to feature this list of four brands to look out for: These are unique spirits that have proven they have the mettle to make it in the industry, thanks to innovative marketing, distinct distillation practices, wow-factor packaging or just a plain ol’ awesome product. These UP AND COMERS have found their way into our hearts, and we hope you’ll find room for them on your backbars. A toast to the future with these innovative new brands! Hard Luck Candy Vodka: Sweet and Sassy Sipping We all remember it well: The joyful trot as we gallivanted into the local candy store. A sweet tooth, a pocketful of coins and a mission to find the tastiest candy a kid could find. Fast-forward to the present, and we find an upgraded, adult version of the local candy store pilgrimage. Meet Hard Luck Candy Vodka, the new rising star on the horizon of flavored vodkas. Creators and bartenders Chris George, Rob Nicholl and Mike Mouyianis found inspiration in the candy aisle of their local Detroit liquor store and, in 2005, decided to put this sweet inspiration to the test kitchen, formulating and balancing flavors that hit on all confectionary notes. A year later, the duo premiered their products to the public at the Hard Luck Lounge in Grosse Pointe Park on the East Side of Detroit, and the results were like a staggering sugar rush: Consumers from all over Detroit and across Michigan began requesting these new candy flavors and asking if they were available for purchase. With their new tasty tipples in such high demand, the partners launched their own brand, Hard Luck Candy Vodka, and now boast four delicious flavors: Root Beer Barrel, Orange Dream, Red Fish and Lemon Drop. Hard Luck has established an impressive following and is ever-expanding into liquor stores and bars across the state, with George, Nicholl and Mouyianis looking to break outside of the Great Lake State by the year’s end. George partly attributes the brand’s success to the fact that they “went for the full flavor.” He says, “Our Root Beer Barrel actually tastes like root beer with a hint of vodka, instead of vodka with a hint of flavor.” Hard Luck vodkas are not only flavor-supercharged, but are also versatile enough to be enjoyed neat (the brand encourages people to “chill it and spill it”), and mixed into any cocktail looking for a little sweet sensation. —Megan Wieczorek Why it’s on your radar: If the brand’s success in “the mitten” (that’s what Michiganders call the mitten-shaped state) is any indicator, the rest of the country will be on a candy rush in no time. 94 / the tasting panel / august 2011 Arrogante: The Sophisticated Suitor It wasn’t always a love story. Marina Wilson, owner and founder of Arrogante tequila, never cared much for the agave spirit. Somewhere in between the pained pucker and hammer- ing hangover, she remained unimpressed. So she took the old adage to heart: “If you want some- thing done right, you have to do it yourself.” After working to achieve a blend of traditional methods, the purest ingredi- ents, hours of hard work and a certain degree of finesse, it was love at first shot. To tap into tequila’s authentic roots, the agave is slow-baked in a stone oven, ensuring that Arrogante is brimming with flavor and char- acter. Arrogante employs slow fermentation, uses no commercial yeast and is made from the juice of only 100-precent blue agave. Wilson, now a distinguished tequila aficionado, is proud of her individualized brand of sophistica- tion. She says, “Arrogante gives something to people that stands out from the crowd. There are so many tequilas that they all start looking the same. Arrogante offers excellent quality, unique presentation and an affordable price.” Wilson will soon be launching two other brands, Rudo and Tecnico, that offer a more fun and carefree vibe than seriously-super Arrogante. Clearly, Wilson has come a long way from the sting- ing grimaces of the once-loath- some spirit, tequila now standing as the apple—er, agave—of her eye. —M. W. Why it’s on your radar: Tired of tequila-phobes bellying up to your bar with that “blech” face? Tell them the story of the tequila- hater-turned-Arrogante-owner, and make a convert out of them in one sip.