Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/661678
april 2016 / the tasting panel / 125 Returning to Tradition: ROCA PATRÓN SILVER Dynamic Duo: TY KU CUCUMBER SAKE AND AVIATION AMERICAN GIN Joe Intiso Jr., Southern Wine & Spirits, AZ Spirit Specialist, and Chris Spake, Director of Brand Education at Patrón Spirits Company. The Morning After ◗ 1½ oz. Roca Patrón Silver ◗ ¾ oz. Yellow Chartreuse ◗ ¾ oz. Alessio Sweet Vermouth ◗ ¼ oz. Tempus Fugit Fernet ◗ ½ oz. lemon juice ◗ ½ oz. simple syrup ◗ Flamed lemon peel and an Amarena cherry for garnish THE PATRÓN SPIRITS COMPANY Dill-icious Collins ◗ 1¼ oz. Aviation American Gin ◗ ¾ oz. TY KU Cucumber Sake ◗ ¾ oz. lemon juice ◗ ¾ oz. dill-cucumber syrup ◗ 1 dash Bittercube Orange Bitters ◗ top with Fever-Tree Club Soda DAVOS BRANDS Made using the traditional tahona wheel—a two-ton volcanic stone wheel, used to break down the agave—the Roca Patrón portfolio features hand-crafted tequilas that exhibit intricate taste profiles. The Silver expression begins with 100% Weber blue agaves, which are roasted in small brick overs for 79 hours. After the agave is crushed, the juice spends 72 hours in wooden vats for fermentation and is then distilled in small copper pot stills. At 45% ABV, this spirit provides bartenders with a higher proof tequila than Patrón's flagship Silver offering—talk about backbone! TASTING NOTES: "The balance in the cocktail is impeccable. I love the bittersweet quality. This is Patrón like you've never seen it: buttery, earthy and very smooth. Higher proof is always a bonus!" —Tiffany Eldredge "Earthy, savory cocktail with a nod to the culture of a well-made tequila like Roca. The spirit had an earthy minerality and layered flavors of baked agave." —Meridith May East meets West in this unlikely match up of spir- its. Both from Davos Brands, the expressions bring quality and innovation to the table. Refreshing and perfect for the time of year, TY KU Cucumber Sake marries the specialty Akebono rice from Japan with the all-natural flavor of fresh cucumber. Creating a spirit that reflects the Pacific Northwest and one that strays away from juniper overkill, Aviation Gin brings together juniper, elletaria cardamom, lavender, sarsaparilla, coriander, anise seeds and dried sweet orange peel—it was named after the classis Aviation cocktail, invented by Hugo Ensslin a century ago. While they come from drastically different parts of the globe, the Speed Tasting demonstrated that opposites attract. TASTING NOTES: "Well, that is a refreshing cocktail! Beautiful bal- ance and subtle complexity. TY KU Cucumber Sake should be used in springtime cocktails everywhere and Aviation gives American gin a good name—it's a flat-out great gin." —Peter Kasperski "Ultra-refreshing and really nice effervescence! This is the perfect summer cocktail. Love the Aviation Gin—the juniper, clover lavender come alive—and TY KU has an authentic, delicate taste." —Bill Degroot Ron Newman, Market Manager, Southwest for TY KU Premium Sake & Spirits, and Rich T. Heider II, Brand Supporter for House Spirits Distillery.