Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/21004
BALCONES Blue Baby Corn Whiskey, USA ($38) BALCONES DISTILLING BANKS 5-Island Rum, West Indies ($28) WINEBOW BASIL HAYDEN’S Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, USA ($37) BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE BLACKBEARD Spiced Rum, Puerto Rico ($15) SERRALLÉS USA CHAMBORD Flavored Vodka, France ($25) BROWN-FORMAN CHRISTIAN DROUIN Calvados Pays d’Auge 1960, France ($660) PREISS IMPORTS CITADELLE Gin Reserve, Vintage 2010, France ($40) W. J. DEUTSCH & SONS CRUZAN 9 Spiced Rum, St. Croix ($16) BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE THE DALMORE Gran Reserva Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland ($50) WHYTE & MACKAY DEATH’S DOOR 2009 Harvest Wheat Gin, USA ($34) DOMAINE SELECT DOLIN Vermouth Blanc de Chambéry, France ($15) HAUS ALPENZ EADES SMALL BATCH Speyside Whisky 70% 12 Year Dufftown, 30% 15 Year Mortlach, Scotland ($70) VIRGINIA DISTILLERY COMPANY EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka, Netherlands ($31) BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE december 2010 / the tasting panel / 45 Miss Mixability LUXARDO MARASCHINO ($32) Bright and clear in spite of its extended wood aging, this highly aromatic Marasca cherry liqueur has been made since 1821, fi rst on the Dalmatian Coast and now in Padova, Italy. But in our Yearbook, age doesn’t matter. The old gal earned a brand new diploma from THE TASTING PANEL this year for her earthy nose, pungent-yet-sweet wild-berry fl avor and spice overtones that put many a new-fangled spirits lowerclassman back in their place. Mixologists love getting their swizzle sticks around Luxardo Maraschino’s lush, creamy texture, which brings new depth and pizzazz to any fruit- or cream-based cocktail, making it a “must have” for the seriously savvy bartender bent on experimentation. We predict an upswing in interest in cherry as a fl avor for mixology, and Luxardo Maraschino is an advanced course in cherry-ology. This exquisite spirit goes all the way to the bottom of the glass and beyond. Let the cocktail making begin. PREISS IMPORTS Cherry-Chocolate Layer Cake 1 part crème de cacao 1 part Luxardo Maraschino 1 part rich cream Luxardo Maraschino cherry for garnish Layer the ingredients, except the cherry, in a pony glass. Chill for half an hour before serving. Garnish with the cherry.