Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/126443
contents | May 2013 Vol. 71 No. 5 PHOTO: DOUG YOUNG COVER STORY 55 SAMMY HAGAR: RED ROCKER, WHITE RUM SAMMY'S BEACH BAR RUM Is the Latest Venture from This Legend UP FRONT 5 121 THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE VODKA Dan Aykroyd's CRYSTAL HEAD VODKA SPECIAL SECTION Results of the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition FEATURES 48 48 DEPARTMENTS 12 16 22 24 26 28 30 32 36 38 40 42 44 46 47 50 51 52 54 60 61 Industry Spotlight Brief Encounters Steven Spurrier's Letter from London American Whiskey Scotch Report New York City Sips San Fran Insider Behind the Scenes with Fred Dame Ms. Cocktail Marketing Politics World Traveler Launch Pad: O Wines Restaurants that Matter Winemaker Dinner The Craft of Selling Brand Sotlight: Tequila Avión Noseables Wine List Stars: Layer Cake Wine Briefs: COHO Off the Cuff: Enrique Iglesias 62 63 68 72 74 78 90 92 94 98 102 108 110 111 114 115 116 140 146 10 / the tasting panel / may 2013 On-Premise Patter: Chicago's Quince Wineocology Blue Reviews Publisher's Picks Gadd's Sixpack Intro-Vinous: Steve Fennel at Sanford Hot Property: San Francisco's Palace Hotel Marketplace Port Report Rock 'N Roll Wine Event Wrap Up: Hawaii Cocktail Week Great Concepts What's Brewing: Newcastle Bombshell Education: BarSmarts The Wandering Somm Blind Tasting Nobu Drinks: Las Vegas Who's Who: The Willamette Valley Taking Inventory 64 75 80 82 88 104 118 QUALITY OVER CLICHÉ Helen Mackey Updates the Bar Program at RUTH'S CHRIS UPPING THE ABSOLUT ANTE ABSOLUT VODKA Unleashes ABSOLUT ELYX—and the Vodka World Rejoices COGNAC WITH A CAPITAL H HINE COGNAC Celebrates 250 Years IN AUGUST COMPANY KIRK AND SWEENEY RUM Keeps Sails Full in the 35 Maple Street Portfolio SMALL BATCH HOOCH THE ARTISANAL GROUP's Sideshow Puts Craft Spirits Center Stage for Today's Cocktailians PURITY VODKA Born in a Swedish Castle and Refined through a Custom Distillation Process, This Is Ultra-Premium Vodka at Its Best THE FACES OF GIN The Personalities behind the Juniper Revolution COCKTAILS WITH HISTORY The New Bar Scene in DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS Reflects on the City's Past 143 A BIG VOICE FOR SMALL PRODUCERS In a Highly Competitive Marketplace, FAMILY WINEMAKERS OF CALIFORNIA are Here to Stay