Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/723381
100 / the tasting panel / september 2016 Do Your Job ◗ 1½ oz. Olmeca Altos "Extra Aged" Tequila Añejo ◗ ½ oz. Amaro Averna ◗ Dash Angostura Bitters ◗ ½ drop Bittercube Orange Bitters ◗ Dash Suze Gentian Bitters Stir on the rocks and garnish with a grapefruit peel. A TASTE OF MEXICO IN AMERICA WITH OLMECA ALTOS TEQUILA JOYFULLY JUINIPER WITH CALYX GIN Olmeca Altos Tequilas take the best of hand-cut Mexican blue agave that is crafted by Maestro Tequilero Jesús Hernandez, who oversees produc- tion—from harvesting to bottling—at the Los Altos distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. Experienced bartenders and partners Henry Besant and Dre Masso co-founded the company with the intent to bring an authentic and high-quality tequila to market. Olmeca Altos Tequilas start with the best blue Weber agave, grown at almost 7,000 feet above sea level in volcanic soil and hand-picked after at least seven years. After cooking, pressing and distillation, the liquid ages for 18 months in oak barrels, imparting notes of vanilla woodiness to the Olmeca Altos "Extra Aged" Tequila Añejo. Tasting Notes: "Nice cinnamon, burnt orange flavors. Well-balanced cocktail, nice for a cool, fall evening. This would play well with chocolate or a Maduro cigar . . . I'd order a second." —Rudy Matic "This cocktail is delicious! The salinity in the tequila is a welcome change in this Black Manhattan riff. Finally, a hint of gentian in the finish adds depth and complexity." —Brandon Phillips PERNOD RICARD USA When the forces behind a spirit are award-winning in their own right, the product is bound for greatness. Master Distiller Stephen Gertman and Rajat Parr, 2015 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional, created Calyx Gin and won a Double Gold and Best in Show awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition only one month after launch. The vintage gin is all about terroir, with a flavor profile that will alter slightly each year as sun, soil and wind dictate the result- ing produce of the organic botanical harvest that includes angelica, elderflower and coriander. Tasting Notes: "With a bright citrus and peppery nose, the gin is expressive of herbs, lemon balm and mint. In the cocktail: very light and floral; grapefruit and herb are very expressive here." —Clint Rogers "Classic botanical notes on the nose. Very floral, smooth flavor with a hint of spice—great on its own." —Melissa Pinkerton ASCENDANT SPIRITS Jeremy Lake, Global Trade Ambassador, Ascendant Spirits. Uby Khawaja, Bartender at Estereo, used Olmeca Altos "Extra Aged" Tequila Añejo in his Do Your Job cocktail. The Modern G&T I ◗ 2 oz. Calyx Gin ◗ 4 juniper berries ◗ 4 black peppercorns ◗ 1 lemon twist (approx. 2 inches long) ◗ 1 grapefruit twist (approx. 4 inches long) ◗ 2 oz. Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic In a stemmed wine glass, three-quarters filled with ice, add ingredients, gently stir twice to mix. Garnish with one honeysuckle flower (or other herbal flower in season). PHOTO COURTESTY OF OLMECA ALTOS TEQUILA