Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/49694
NOLET'S Gin, Netherlands NOLET SPIRITS NOVO FOGO Organic Silver Cachaça, Brazil BOM DIA IMPORTS LLC OLE SMOKEY Original Moonshine, USA OLE SMOKEY DISTILLERY OPAL Bianca Sambuca, Italy CRILLON IMPORTERS PAPPY VAN WINKLE'S Family Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon, USA SAZERAC COMPANY PARK Borderies Single Vineyard Cognac, France TESSENDIER USA PARK XO Cognac Traditional Reserve, France TESSENDIER USA PARKER'S Heritage Collection Bourbon 10 Years Old, USA HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES PISCO 100, Peru PERUVIAN PISCO INTERNATIONAL PISCO O Limited Production, Peru PISCO O PISCO PORTÓN, Peru PISCO PORTÓN PURE BLUE Small Batch Handcrafted Vodka, USA BARREL HOUSE DISTILLING CO. PURITY Vodka, Sweden PURITY VODKA AB RANCHO NUEVO Reposado Tequila, Mexico OCOTILLO IMPORTATION REDBREAST 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey, Ireland PERNOD RICARD USA REDEMPTION High Rye Bourbon, USA STRONG SPIRITS RÉMY MARTIN V, France RÉMY COINTREAU USA RŌKA Dark Chocolate Liqueur, USA ROKABEV INC. RON DE JEREMY Rum, Panama ONE-EYED SPIRITS ROUGE Vodka, USA ROUGE VODKA RUDO Deposado Tequila, Mexico DOUBLE EAGLE IMPORTS SHEEP DIP Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland FREDERICK WILDMAN & SONS SLOOP BETTY Vodka Handcrafted Wheat Vodka, USA BLACKWATER DISTILLING SOLERNO Blood Orange Liqueur, Italy WILLIAM GRANT & SONS SOMBRA Mezcal, Mexico DOMAINE SELECT SOUL Cachaça, Brazil PREMIER SPIRITS LLC SPRINGBANK 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch, Scotland ANCHOR BREWERS & DISTILLERS SQUARE ONE Basil Vodka, USA SQUARE ONE ORGANIC SPIRITS TWENTY 2 Microdistilled Superior Vodka NORTHERN MAINE DISTILLING VAN GOGH Rich Dark Chocolate Vodka VAN GOGH IMPORTS VIEUX CARRÉ Absinthe Supérieru, USA PHILADELPHIA DISTILLING VOLI Lyte Vodka, France VOLI SPIRITS LLC WEMYSS Smooth Gentleman 8 Year Old Scotch, Scotland WEMYSS WINE & SPIRITS WHISTLE PIG Straight Rye, Canada DOMAINE SELECT WHISTLING ANDY Hibiscus-Coconut Rum, USA WHISTLING ANDY WOODFORD RESERVE Master's Collection Maple Wood Finish Bourbon, USA BROWN-FORMAN YAZI Liqueur, USA HOOD RIVER DISTILLERS ZÚ ZUBROWKA Bison Grass Flavored Vodka, Poland RÉMY COINTREAU USA ZWACK Liqueur, Hungary DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA Most Musically Inclined CHOPIN WHEAT VODKA, POLAND ($30) For those of you who didn't pay attention in English class during the reading of Romeo and Juliet, here's a hint: When Little Miss Capulet muses, "What's in a name?" as if to answer, "nothing," let us remind you that that didn't end up too well for the star-crossed lovers. Sometimes, a name is a powerful thing and in the spirit world, a brand's name conveys more than image alone. Such is the case with Chopin Vodka, named after the Polish composer who has gone down in history as one of the most masterful virtuosos in the annals of music. Capturing the composer's classical elegance in liquid form, the Chopin family of vodkas, a single-ingredient lineup of super-premium spirits made from Poland's highest-quality potatoes, rye and wheat, is symphonic. The brand has long dominated the luxury spirit category, but with the rye and wheat expressions released to market this year, the Chopin name continues to make sweet music in new arenas. Made from 100% Polish wheat and artisan-crafted to meet the brand's highest standards, Chopin Wheat is as elegant as it gets, in the true tradition of its illustrious namesake. Oatmeal on the nose gives it away! The estate wheat shows clean and sweet notes, with a comfy pillow weight and a grassy side that keeps a lean edge. As it opens, red berry notes appear on the nose and maintain a presence on the palate. A wonderful surprise. CHOPIN IMPORTS LTD. december 201 1 / the tasting panel / 123