Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/91577
SPEED TASTING A Lovely Liquid: CHASE ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR From England's potato chip guru, Bill Chase, comes the elderfl ower liqueur with a vodka base made from estate- grown potatoes on Herefordshire Farm, three hours north of London. Chase Vodka won Best Vodka of Show in 2010 from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Chase Elderfl ower Liqueur has the viscosity of a Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling, lively with an abundance of aromatics, including white fl owers, lemon and apricot. Zahra Bates, whose CHASING Twain cocktail was light and pretty, offered a perfect platform for this lovely liqueur. Salo Wine & Spirits Italy by Way of California: VENTURA LIMONCELLO James Carling is the owner of Ventura Limoncello Company. Zahra Bates, who created the CHASING Twain, is also behind the stick at L.A. restaurant Providence; she is joined by Anthony J. Salomone, owner of Salo Wine & Spirits. Notes from the Panel: "I love the use of cherimoya: Its fragrance adds great depth to the drink. Chase is one of my favorite liqueurs."─Ryan Velilla "The most creative use of elderfl ower I have experi- enced. The fresh cucumber on the foam is a fantastic lead to citrus and savory for this cocktail."─Steve Calabro "The vodka plays a silent role as a base but also balances everything out. The nose is as elegant as it is refreshing. I would love to see Chase Elderfl ower also mixed with gin."─Jeremy Lake CHASING TWAIN ◗ 1 oz. Chase Elderfl ower Liqueur ◗ 1 oz. cherimoya juice, pulped ◗ 1 oz. Chase Vodka ◗ Top with foam made of cucumber and lemon verbena While most limoncellos seem to hail from Italy, James Carling and his wife Manuela showcase the sunshine and terroir of the Pacifi c coast in Ventura, California. What we love about this liqueur (and we have proven it with medals awarded year after year from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition) is its preternatural freshness. In Italy, limoncello can be referred to as a digestive, but not in the States; here, Carling points out that it is a palate cleanser. Eureka and Lisbon Lemons, sourced from local growers, are hand-picked, washed and hand- peeled and made with their three-generation old Italian family recipe. Notes from the Panel: "A remarkably fresh tasting limoncello. I like the pure, sweet lemon skin oil texture, and the fi nish is velvety. The drink upgrades the Lemon Drop with well-balanced acidity."─Tai Nguyen "If any limoncello should be called 'homemade,' Ventura limoncello should be on top of the list. An amaz- ing foundation for the Lemon Drop cocktail!"─Ryan Velilla THE CALIFORNIA LEMON DROP ◗ 1 oz. Ventura Limoncello Originale ◗ 1 oz. Hangar One Buddha's Hand vodka ◗ ½ oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice 110 / the tasting panel / november 2012