Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/430172
100 / the tasting panel / december 2014 SPEED TASTING REPORT Ode to Orange Mandarine Napoléon To simply define Mandarine Napoléon as an orange liqueur blended with ten-year-old aged Cognac is to conceal its virtues. This neutral grain spirit uses whole mandarin oranges during maceration, and savory notes of green and black tea, along with cardamom, truly show off this high-quality spirit. Produced in Belgium as a point of pride, it was originally created in 1892 from a recipe for a drink that Fourcroy made for Napoléon Bonaparte, with Sicilian oranges blended with Cognac. Today, this shiny copper penny–hued 76-proof liqueur has become a classic. Our Panelists' Critique: "This spirit is great because it is sweet without the sugary viscosity and it rests well in the liquor cabinet; not to mention, it modifies well. I would love to drink the cocktail outside—it is light and so refreshing." —Joe Keeper "Balanced nicely, orange explodes upon first sip; grain finds its way onto the palate and it finishes with sweet teas. Solid as a neat spirit, it is also incredibly mixable—which the shandy proved. It's a cocktail that anybody can and will want to drink." —Brad Fry Packing Heat American Star Ghost Chile Vodka Santa Barbara County's first full-service distill- ery since Prohibition, Ascendant Spirits rose to the occasion in 2013 to create small-production spirits in the heart of California wine country. Introduced this past spring, this vodka may be the hottest commodity—literally—on the spirits market. Flavored with hard wood–smoked ghost chilies from India (their flavors are extracted in a gin basket to flavor the vodka base), this 80-proof spirit is in full gear on its own. Mix it up and it will add an outgoing personality to your well- planned cocktail. Did you know: In 2007, the Guinness Book of World Records certified that the ghost pepper was the world's hottest chili pepper—401.5 times hotter than Tabasco sauce. Our Panelists' Critique: "It's a dry spirit that is packing big heat and a good roasted flavor. This sweet chili edge provided a great foundation to the light, fresh cocktail. The clean strawberry was the perfect balance to the spice of the vodka." —Beau du Bois "I got notes of lime and chipotle in addition to the ghost chili on the palate. These notes paired nicely with the citrus and strawberry aspects of the drink. There were a lot of wonderful exotic flavors that would be great for a summer day."—Brad Fry Napoleon's Downfall ◗ 1½ oz. Mandarine Napoléon ◗ ¾ oz. lemon juice ◗ ¼ oz. Beefeater Gin ◗ ½ barspoon ginger syrup ◗ ½ barspoon guava preserves ◗ Top with 2 oz. of white ale ◗ 2 cucumber slices for garnish The Ideal Cocktail ◗ ¼ oz. American Star Ghost Chili Vodka ◗ ¼ oz. American Star Caviar Lime Vodka ◗ ¼ oz. Tempus Fugit Crème de Cacao ◗ 1½ oz. Pink Lightning Corn Whiskey ◗ Pinch mint ◗ 1 oz. lime ◗ ¾ oz. simple syrup ◗ Strawberry slice and mint for garnish ◗ Caviar lime pulp optional Yael Vengroff, Bar Manager at Harvard & Stone in L.A. and Alexander Straus, Sgt. at Arms for cocktail, hospital- ity and marketing firm The Bon Vivants Barbary Coast Originals. Jeremy Lake, Trade Ambassador for Ascendant Spirits.