Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/661678
april 2016 / the tasting panel / 127 Back to Bourbon's Roots: ELIJAH CRAIG SMALL BATCH BOURBON The Noble Path: CASA NOBLE REPOSADO TEQUILA Mike McGill, Southern Wine & Spirits, AZ Spirit Specialist. Fernando Bambaren, bartender at Virtu Honest Craft in Scottsdale. Bourbon Thai Tea ◗ 1½ oz. Elijah Craig 12 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ◗ ½ oz. Domaine de Canton ◗ 1 oz. coconut milk ◗ 1 oz. Thai tea syrup (1 cup water: 2 cups sugar: 6 Thai tea bags) ◗ 2 dashes orange flower water ◗ 4 dashes Angostura Bitters ◗ Tapioca boba HEAVEN HILL Mexican Negroni ◗ 1½ oz. Casa Noble Reposado Tequila ◗ ½ oz. Campari ◗ ½ oz. Sandeman Amontillado Sherry ◗ ¼ oz. rosemary simple syrup ◗ 2 dashes rhubarb bitters ◗ Orange twist CONSTELLATION BRANDS As legend has it, Reverend Elijah Craig decided to improve upon the local un-aged corn liquor by aging it in charred oak casks; in doing so, he invented Kentucky bourbon as we know it today. In honor of the Reverend and his vision, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon uses fresh limestone spring water and a yeast recipe that has been in the family for generations. This bourbon comes from a barrel dump of only 200, eight- to 12-year-old barrels—making it truly small batch! TASTING NOTES: "Evolving notes make this whiskey complex with a great bourbon backbone and hints of ginger, orange and tea. The really creative cocktail adds sweetness to the big bourbon." —Bill Degroot "Great adult version on the classic Thai tea and a fun use of boba. The spirit neat was full-bodied with layers of spicy, pepper, coco and toffee." —Ross Simon Unlike many tequilas which are only distilled twice, Casa Noble Tequila goes through the distillation process three times—producing an extraordinarily pure spirit. Aged in French white oak barrels for 364 days—the maximum time allowed for a Reposado by the official Consejo Regulador del Tequila—the tequila is estate bottled and distributed in small batches. The brand became one of the first certified organic tequilas and continues to take care of its land through initiatives including the making of their own compost. It's no wonder how the brand received its name! TASTING NOTES: "A well-balanced, super fragrant drink—it balances out the bitterness of Campari. The tequila itself is robust, earthy and light in color, with an almost 'rustic' quality to it." —Richie Moe "Brillantly combined ingredients—show off the agave with a zingy/bitter finish. On the palate neat, white pepper and lime zest shine through the agave base." —Meridith May