Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/566135
september 2015 / the tasting panel / 135 All-American Soul From Ascendant Spirits, Ginny Lawson stepped up to the plate, with Semper Fi Corn Whiskey serving as the muse for her Hero's Homecoming cocktail. Semper Fidelis, Latin for "always faithful," is best-known as the motto of the United States Marine Corps, but it is also a fitting name for this corn-based whiskey bottled at 111 proof. Semper Fi is distilled from red, white and blue corn, an homage to 17th- century Americans' use of multi-colored corn in whiskey production. Adding to this brand's all-American soul is a charitable component, with a portion of all proceeds benefitting U.S. veterans' charities. Lawson's cocktail brought the heat by mixing Semper Fi with American Star Ghost Chili Vodka, made from ghost chilis that are first hardwood smoked and then infused into the vodka during distillation. Ascendant Spirits was Santa Barbara County's first distillery to legally produce whisky, vodka, moonshine and other spirits since Prohibition. Ascendant emphasizes hand-crafting local and organic American Hero's Homecoming ◗ 1¼ oz. Semper Fi Corn Whiskey ◗ ¾ oz. American Star Ghost Pepper Chili Vodka ◗ 4 oz. of watermelon/habanero lemonade ◗ 2 oz. cane sugar lemon-lime soda Combine first three ingredients in shaker with ice and shake. Strain into tall cocktail glass with ice and top with lemon-lime soda. Ginny Lawson created her cocktail using Semper Fi Corn Whiskey, which was awarded third place. Texas-True Rounding out the first heat, Brandon Coles created a wildly patriotic red, white and blue layered cocktail, kicked into high gear by Deep Eddy Lemon Flavored Vodka from Austin. The smooth corn-based spirit is distilled ten times in a state-of-the-art column still to produce a purer and cleaner product that yields zero byproduct or waste. Water is sourced from an aquifer deep in the Earth. The final step: The vodka is filtered slowly over charcoal six times to ensure its subtle flavors aren't lost. All-natural, real lemon juice mixed with the award-winning vodka ensures a fresh and consistent product. With an arsenal of flavors to choose from, includ- ing Deep Eddy Ruby Red, Sweet Tea, Cranberry and, of course, straight, Deep Eddy is an American spirit, through and through. On stage, Brandon was soaking in the patriotism: "I'm hoping to make a little history tonight," he said. "After all, drinking in the National Archives is a very unique experience." Red, White and Blueberry Lemonade ◗ 2 oz. Deep Eddy Lemon Flavored Vodka ◗ ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice ◗ 3 oz. Topo Chico sparkling mineral water, divided ◗ ½ oz. homemade blueberry balsamic syrup ◗ ½ oz. homemade grenadine syrup ◗ Fresh blueberries Combine two ounces of mineral water and blueberry syrup in a separate shaker with ice and mix thoroughly; set aside. Combine the vodka and the lemon juice in shaker with ice and mix thoroughly; set aside. Combine remaining mineral water and grenadine syrup in a separate shaker with ice and mix thoroughly; set aside. Fill a small Mason jar with ice and build from the bottom, beginning with grenadine on the bottom as the red layer. Carefully strain the lemon vodka mixture for the white layer. Finally, strain the blueberry mixture on top for the blue layer. Garnish with fresh blueberries. Brandon Coles came in second with his Red, White and Blueberry Lemonade. THIRD PLACE