The Tasting Panel magazine

January 2013

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Very Small Batch, Very, Very Good: Jefferson's Bourbon Joe Fairchild is COO of No. 209 Gin. The San Francisco Spirit: Distillery No. 209 For longtime industry vet Joe Fairchild, now COO of No. 209 Gin, the switch from vodka to gin was easy: "I used to be a vodka drink, and now I'm drinking gin," he admits, "and we want to convert vodka drinkers to gin." But there's more to 209 than just a spirit showdown, and Fairchild expects it's the industry who will lead the way in gin's transformative powers. "I'm going to build this brand one barstool at a time," Fairchild says of the San Francisco–made spirit. "Brands like this are built by the bartenders." At Napa mixology mecca Fagiani's, Bar Manager Jim Wrigley is just the type of trendsetting 'tender No. 209 is after. Wrigley concocted the 209 Overture aperitif, saying "No.209 hits all the bases when you look at a gin, and while some gins Fagiani's Jim Wrigley makes can get lost in translation, the 209 Overture aperitif. this doesn't." As the founder and Master Blender of Jefferson's Bourbon, it's no surprise that Trey Zoeller is passionate about whiskey. But in just a short chat with the man, it's clear Zoeller is no average bourbon maker: "There are a lot of great small batch bourbons out there," he says, "but Jefferson's is a different kind of artisan spirit: I'm blending, and playing with the maturation process; I'm experimenting and doing Trey Zoeller is Master Blender of unexpected things— Jefferson's Bourbon. because I can." Made from a blend of 200 to 300 barrels of handcrafted bourbon from various vintages, Zoeller relishes in the mix-and-match game. "I can take these inished barrels and blend them even more," he says. "I've just got so much freedom!" Jennifer Russick, mixologist at Michael Mina San Francisco, inspired by Zoeller's pioneering spirit, took the reins and ran with his fantastic Autumn in Kentucky cocktail. "This Michael Mina San Francisco is the perfect cocktail for mixologist Jennifer Russick made the Jefferson's Bourbon an American spirit," said Russick. Autumn in Kentucky cocktail. 209 Overture Autumn in Kentucky ◗ 2 oz. No. 209 Gin ◗ 1 oz. Nonino Amaro ◗ 2 oz. Jefferson's Very Small Batch Bourbon ◗ 1 oz. Carpano Antica sweet vermouth ◗ 1 oz. apple jack ◗ Stir with ice. Strain over fresh ice into rocks glass, garnish with lemon twist. january 2013 / the tasting panel / 123

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