Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/57654
SPIRIT GETAWAY There are countless reasons to get out and travel, and experiencing the native spirits of the world has piqued our passion! We may not be able to whisk ourselves away on a whirlwind trip very often, and for those times when you want to get away but just can't, these quaffs will stoke your wanderlust and ignite your palate with a passion for the world around us. AVERNA AMARO Averna Amaro is as much a part of daily lifestyle in Italy as wine, pasta or espresso. Amaro, or "bitter" in Italian, is a pure liqueur infused with a mixture of herbs, citrus rinds and caramel. Originally created by Sicilian monks, the Averna brand was founded in 1868 after the elusive, secret recipe was passed down to Salvatore Averna. Traditionally a soothing after-dinner drink, or digestivo, known for its distinc- tively delicious bittersweet taste profile, Averna is now being discovered by bartenders and cocktail lovers alike as a versatile mixer for a variety of drink recipes. Savor a piece of pure Italy with every drop of Averna. Visit www.avernausa.com for more. DOMAINE SELECT BLACKWELL RUM Chris Blackwell, the man behind Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum and the legendary founder of the famed Island Records label, which brought Reggae to the world in 1959, hails from one of Jamaica's oldest merchant families. Settling in Jamaica in 1625, the Blackwells were renowned for exporting bananas, coconuts and, of course, rum. Today, Chris continues in the family tradition with Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum, made from time-honored and secret recipes. Blackwell's deep, rich, fragrant, black-gold liquid is aged and infused with tropical flavors, making it one of the finest gifts Jamaica and Chris have to offer. Chris has imbued his black gold liquid with the very warmth and sensuality for which Jamaica and its music are so well ap- preciated. Learn more at www.blackwellrum.com. DOMAINE SELECT Karlsson's Gold Developed by Master Blender Börje Karlsson, Karlsson's Gold vodka is a handcrafted product with an outstanding character and a unique, natural taste. Ap- proximately 17 pounds of Swedish virgin potatoes are needed to make one bottle of Karlsson's Gold vodka. Naturally, with the high-quality ingredients they use, it would make no sense to filter away the taste. So they don't. To preserve as much of the inherent flavor as possible, Karls- son's Gold vodka is only distilled once in an unfiltered process. But, since there is nothing more personal than taste – you should try it for yourself. And to quote the Master Blender's attitude – "If you don't like it, don't drink it". Rediscover vodka and experience the difference that natural taste does to your favorite drinks. Visit www.karlssonsvodka.com for more. MHW LTD. WÓDKA VODKA While walking through the Polmos Bialystock distillery in Eastern Poland, a relic from Poland's communist era was discovered, and the modern Wódka Vodka was rediscovered. The legendary bottle that was unearthed was pale blue with a tattered paper label indicat- ing simply, "Wódka," Polish for vodka. Founded in the late 1920s, Polmos was a Polish state- owned monopoly that was once the leading vodka producer in Poland and controlled the country's spirits market. This tradition has been revived with Wódka Vodka, made from a traditional formula founded on the backs of the true pioneers of vodka, the Polish people. This simple design and off-center, hand-stamped label convey an Old World authenticity with stylish minimalism. For more, visit www.welovewodka.com. DOMAINE SELECT 52 / the tasting panel / march 2012