Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/776532
january/february 2017 / the tasting panel / 123 WORLD TRAVELER: MAGELLAN GIN When it comes to making a singularly striking first impression, drop-dead gorgeous Magellan Gin (SRP $35) from France wins hands down. Created by spirits guru Michel Roux, this super-premium brand is triple-distilled in small batches from Capet wheat and water drawn from the Gensac Springs in the Cognac region. The 11 exotic botanicals—including cloves, cinnamon, grains of paradise, iris roots and flowers, nutmeg and orange peels—are picked at their peak of ripeness and sun-dried. The cloves and deep-blue iris petals are added during the fourth and final distillation. The result is an absolutely sensational 41.3% alcohol (82.6 proof) spirit with a cap- tivating light blue tint from the iris flowers, making the brand the only naturally derived blue spirit. Magellan is a feast for the senses. The gin has a shimmering iris tint, supple medium- weight body and an enticing bouquet laced with the aromas of flora, citrus and spice. It has a delightfully soft entry that quickly entertains the palate with an array of tantaliz- ing herbal, spicy and citrusy flavors. The finish is cool and crisp. Swank Martini haunts will want to carry Magellan Gin, which was created with a cocktail glass in mind. The top-shelf spirit is a bona fide headliner, ideally suited for any gin-based cocktail or mixed drink. CRILLON IMPORTERS LTD. singularly striking singularly striking singularly first Magellan Gin down. Roux, this triple-distilled in small water drawn Cognac botanicals—including paradise, iris roots peels—are and sun-dried. petals are added distillation. sensational with a cap- iris flowers, naturally derived naturally derived naturally senses. The gin medium- bouquet laced and spice. quickly array of array of array tantaliz- of tantaliz- of flavors. The finish to carry Magellan carry Magellan carry january/february 2017 / the for any gin-based any gin-based any cocktail or mixed drink. CRILLON IMPORTERS LTD. A CUT ABOVE: STONECUTTER SPIRITS SINGLE BARREL GIN Sivan Cotel and Sas Stewart are building a dream. Co-founders of Stonecutter Spirits, an award-winning craft distillery located in the town of Middlebury, Vermont, they are ventur- ing into the rarefied realm of barrel-aging their spirits. Few craft distillers are following suit. Not only is barrel-aging light spirits an expensive, time-intensive practice, but it's a strategy that requires far greater skill and tremendous patience. Stonecutter Spirits Single Barrel Gin (SRP $55) is just such a spirit. It is made on a base of neutral grain spirits, which is then distilled with carefully selected botanicals, such as juniper, cardamom and orange peels. It is a recipe devised to accommodate the added flavors induced naturally from the wood. Little wonder it took them dozens of test batches to perfect the recipe. When the gin exits the still, it is transferred for maturation to charred, American white oak barrels previously used to age bourbon. It is bottled at 45% alcohol (90 proof). Stonecutter Spirits Single Barrel Gin is elegance personified. It has a light golden appear- ance, a lightweight body and a broad, juniper-forward nose. On the palate, the gin expands and delivers a balanced offering of tart citrus and earthy juniper. The caramel, vanilla and toasted oak flavors are most prevalent on the long, linger- ing finish. STONECUTTER SPIRITS LLC.