Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/661678
124 / the tasting panel / april 2016 Peter Kasperski, owner of Cowboy Ciao in Scottsdale, takes notes during our Arizona Cocktail Week Speed Tasting. n the midst of the bustling Artisanal Spirit & Cocktail Market at fifth annual Arizona Cocktail Week taking place at Scottsdale's Hotel Valley Ho dur- ing mid-February, seven expert Speed Tasting panelists tasted through 11 artisanal brands and their correspond- ing cocktails made by area mixologists. From a twist on a Negroni to a Collins featuring dill, the concoctions brought the heat with creativity and complexity, which left the judges wondering if they had found an oasis in the desert. It's a hard job, but someone has to do it. n the midst of the bustling Artisanal Spirit & Cocktail Market at fifth annual Arizona Cocktail Week taking Baransu No The name means "in balance." ◗ 2 oz. Kikori ◗ ¾ oz. Sichuan pepper honey syrup ◗ ½ oz. pichuberry- infused lychee juice ◗ ½ oz. yuzu ◗ Dash orange bitters ◗ Dash orange water Foam: ◗ ½ oz. Sichuan pepper honey syrup ◗ ½ oz. lychee juice ◗ ½ oz. Tuaca ◗ 2 dashes orange bitters ◗ ½ oz. lemon juice ◗ 2 egg whites ◗ z Orange water Rice from a rice paddy along the Iwase River in Kumamoto—a city on the Japanese island of Kyushu—starts its transformation into Kikori Whiskey when it enters giant steel steamers, where it is cooked. After distillation, the whiskey rests from three to ten years in a mix of American oak, French oak and Sherry casks. The name—meaning "the woodsman"—stems from a Japanese cautionary tale about Visu the Woodman, who lives a life without balance. You won't find any imbal- ance in this bottle! TASTING NOTES: "The cocktail had terrific aromatics—a great summer drink! The whiskey is like a gin/rye cross and is bright and high-toned. Really fantastic stuff!"—Peter Kasperski "The foam tied the light and citrusy cocktail together. It was nice and light neat; with apples and pear, the rice base really comes through and works well." —Ross Simon Katarina Balalas, Vice President of Sales for Kikori Whiskey, and Daniella "Ella" Perez, bartender at The Gladly in Phoenix. The Woodsman: KIKORI WHISKEY