Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/12827
Cruzan 9: Aged and Spiced Jim Piser of Beam Global intro- duces us to the latest expression of Cruzan rum. “Cruzan 9 puts the rum back in spiced rum,” says Jim Piser, Senior On- Premise Manager for Beam Global. Piser isn’t exaggerating when he speaks of Cruzan 9, the latest offering from this storied Caribbean brand that packs a hefty punch and is about to take the world by storm. Joining its portfolio of quality rums, Cruzan has unveiled Cruzan 9, a bold new spiced rum with a unique blend of nine all-natural spices. Cruzan 9 remains true to the brand’s heritage of premium craftsmanship. It’s handcrafted by Master Distiller Gary Nelthropp, who has developed the perfect balance of spices combined with Cruzan’s aged rum. Three generations of Nelthropps have worked on the estate where Cruzan is created, and they continue the tradition of making one of the best rums in the world. On shelves this month is Cruzan’s foray into the spiced rum category, channeling toasted wood notes, molasses, warm spice and nutmeg. At 80 proof and based on the already notable award-winning Cruzan aged rum, and we think Cruzan 9 is a brand that’s going to change the tides with ease. BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE X Factor: Cruzan 9 combines allspice, vanilla, pepper, ginger, mace, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and, surprisingly, juniper berry to achieve its fantastic rich, spicy profile. Calisaya: The Return of a Classic Four hundred years ago, Jesuit missionaries travelling to Peru discovered the potent powers of the cinchona bark, a natural remedy for malaria thanks to its high quinine content, and the spirit called calisaya began its reign in Europe, first as a me- dicinal elixir, then as chinchona- based bitters and liqueurs. As the spirit spread to the Americas, calisaya became a popular cat- egory describing all chinchona- based liqueurs, not a brand, where it found a home in classic cocktails until Prohibition wiped it off the map. Decades later, Calisaya—with a capital C, now a trademarked brand—is poised to make its triumphant return. Mixologists like Portland’s Jeffrey Morganthaler have found Calisaya’s notes of toffee and leather, combined with lingering quinine and orange zest bitterness, extremely mixable. We’re willing to bet this is one brand that will be better than ever in the 21st century. ELIXIR INC. X Factor: Cinchona bark combines with aromatic botanicals and handmade citrus essences to give Calisaya its signature flavor, and every batch is taste- tested before bottling to ensure the perfect marriage of these complex ingredients. El Zacatecano Mezcal: Mexico’s Underdog Ask any consumer what they know about spirits from Mexico, and you’re likely to hear one word, and one word only: tequila. Changing the face of the Mexican spirits game is El Zacatecano Mezcal, a century-old brand that owns 55% of the market share in Mexico and is working towards U.S. domination. Without the official denomination of origin required for the tequila title, mezcals have long been derided as lesser products, relying on inferior raw ingredients. “We’re not like other mezcals,” explains Brand Representative Tony Sotello. “One of the most important differences is that most mezcals are not made from blue agave.” Unlike those other mezcals, El Zacatecano is small- batch distilled from 100% Highland Weber blue agave, imbuing each of the brand’s expressions with incredible flavor. M&D IMPORTS USA, INC. X Factor: We got in line with the brand’s “Zac Attack,” and fell in love with the Añejo expression’s signature smooth, rich, nut-and-toffee smokiness. july 2010 / the tasting panel / 65