Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/391612
1 18 / the tasting panel / october 2014 SPEED TASTING REPORT HIGH CLASS IN GLASS: ZYR VODKA ZYR Vodka's new parent company, Davos Brands, is an all-encompassing beverage importer and marketing company for luxury wine and spirits brands. So this Russian vodka, made from a proprietary blend winter wheat and rye—and nine-times filtered, five-times distilled and three- times tasted before bottling—fits that pristine, prestigious image. "The water itself is tasted for texture and against previous batches for consistency," says Davos Brands Southwest Market Manager Ron Newman. "No sugar, glycerin or spices added. ZYR is one of those best-in- class brands that fits right in our portfolio." The Bets Are In: "ZYR is a big-bodied, buxom vodka with sweet citrus, powdered milk and cocoa hints; round, with no edge at all. Emilio's cocktail brought out the citrus- tangerine tang, lemon oils and vanilla extract. As he himself said, 'It makes magic in your mouth.'" —Meridith May, THE TASTING PANEL "As delicate as the vodka is on the palate, it has weight and a creaminess with a sweet finish. The hand-crafted perfume was enticing and added to the subtle aromas from the vodka."—Dave Ponte, NOBU Caesars Palace THE PERFECT 100 ♦ 2½–3 oz. ZYR Vodka ♦ 3 spritzes of homemade perfume (13 drops tangerine oil, seven drops lemon oil, four drops fresh vanilla extract and 1 oz. ZYR Vodka) ♦ Tangerine and lemon garnish BLACK DAHLIA ♠ 1½ oz. Azuñia Black 2 Year Old Añejo Tequila ♠ 1 oz. Dolin Dry Vermouth ♠ ¾ oz. banana syrup ♠ ¾ oz. lemon juice ♠ ¾ oz. egg white ♠ Flower garnish Hakkasan Las Vegas Mixologist Emilio Tiburcio and TY KU/Davos Brands' Ron Newman. AGE-WORTHY: AZUÑIA TEQUILA — BLACK If Azuñia Añejo is one of the most sippable ultra-premium tequilas (aged in excess of the required 12 months for añejos), Azuñia Black is even more luxe going down. This two-year-aged, special edition añejo speaks of honeyed-oak and dark chocolate biscuit. It is aged first in used Jack Daniel's barrels and six months in an "undis- closed" finishing barrel. Azuñia Black is made from organic, estate-grown 100% blue Weber agave from the Lowlands of Jalisco. The Bets Are In: "Caramel and cinnamon flow along the palate, with a salty finish. Root beer and mint play with banana and grassy notes for this special edition tequila. The cocktail is creamy and well-balanced with a light citrus finish and sweet floral nose."—Juyoung Kang, The Linq "This tequila is intensely aromatic: chocolate, caramel, fenugreek seed and banana play on the nose and mouth. And the cocktail: delicious. The use of banana was a great play off the tequila's already tropical character and a wonderful show- case for a smooth and spicy extra añejo."—Cody Fredrickson, Paris Las Vegas Kailee Gielgens is Arizona and Las Vegas Sales Manager for Azuñia Tequila.