December 31, 2015
In The Spirit: Our 10 Favorite Bottles of 2015
Kristen Siebecker READ TIME: 7 MIN.
We've been raiding liquor stores across the country for the past 12 months to bring you our favorite finds. Shake up your home bar in the coming year with our favorite picks. And consider a secret stash for when the guests leave!
WHISKEY
There are three identifying features that the distillate needs to be deemed Irish whiskey. First, it needs to be aged in wood a minimum three years. Next, it needs to be bottled at no less than 40 percent alcohol by volume. Last but not least, the grains used in distillation must come from the island of Ireland. One other important distinguishing feature of Irish whiskeys is that the vast majority of them utilize three distillations, which makes for a distinct smooth and soft style.
Kilbeggan
Kilbeggan comes from the Cooley Distillery (still independently run) where it is distilled then transported back to Kilbeggan to mature in their 1,200-year-old granite warehouse. This is their entry-level whiskey, quite approachable with aromas of icing and tastes of caramel. Try the Kilbeggan in a Hot Toddy!
Kilbeggan, $20
Bushmills
Bushmills is the namesake from this flagship distillery. It is a blend of single malt whiskey and a lighter grain. This light style is aged with oak casks from the U.S., Spain and Portugal. Maturation softens the light gold liquid into an approachable libation with spicy vanilla notes and a fresh finish. It is great as a cocktail with ginger ale.
Bushmills, $25
INFUSED VODKA
Vodka may be the spirit most closely associated with the flavor craze, having entered early into the game with citrus, fruit and more exotic options. (Bacon martini, anyone?) But take note: There's a difference between flavored spirits and infused alcohol, and to be frank, some of what's out there seems... well... a tad suspicious. You don't have to be a vegan or chemically sensitive to have a preference for natural infusion rather than chemically-based flavoring, and it's worth your time as a mixologist (be you pro or amateur) to think about how not all of the selections on the shelf promising peppery zing, citrusy freshness, garden-fresh greenness, or fruity flavors are made from all-natural ingredients.
Charbay
If you can infuse herbs, why not tea? That's one of the options Charbay vodka offers, with its Green Tea Vodka. "This flavored vodka took nearly 5 years to create," the company's website discloses, going on to detail how this infusion is prepared with a "rare first-growth green tea from the Anhwei Province, a prime growing region along China's fabled Silk Route."
Looking for something a little more traditional as the summer months come rolling in? Charbay offers several other infused flavors, including Meyer Lemon -- a selection sold-out as of mid May. There's something reassuring and genuine about an item made in such limited quantities, and commanding sufficient popularity, that it's sold out from time to time.
Hangar One
Look around the Web to get a sense of who out there is making vodka with all-natural ingredients, and you'll probably see the name Hangar One come up.
In a sense, Hangar One seems a natural for the palate looking to enjoy fresh-plucked goodness -- this vodka isn't made from potatoes, but rather from grapes. Add to that attention to ingredients and sources that ensure a superior product.
"Every bottle of vodka we make begins the same way," the company's website boasts. "Fresh, in-season fruit from farmers we know by first name. Craft distillation by hand, in small batches."
Flavors include Kaffir Lime, Mandarin Blossom, and Buddha's Hand Citron.
GIN
The ori"gins" of this juniper and botanical infused clear spirit may be up for debate, but what's not is that juniper berries that are at the essence of gin's aromatics and taste. In truth, gin is the world's first flavored vodka and uses wide-ranging natural botanicals such as Douglas fir, orange peel or coriander at the discretion of the distiller.
The Botanist
The only gin from Islay, Scotland is an international style with classic botanicals in addition to 22 local herbs and flowers that distinguish The Botanist. Makes a perfect Negroni and any other cocktail in which you want something distinctive from the juniper forward London Dry style.
The Botanist, $37
St. George Terrior Gin
Terroir is a French term usually reserved for wines and represents this beverage's sense of place. Made in California with local Douglas fir, laurel and sage. "A forest in your glass" describes the aromatics and flavor profile, which lends to terrific cocktails especially with summer fruits.
St. George Terroir Gin, $30
RUM
There are many styles and types of rums, but here we will focus on just a few:
Mount Gay Silver
A white, clear rum with a mild sweetness that is clean on the nose and palate. Balanced with some fruity, banana notes, it's perfect as a mixer. Mount Gay has been making rums for more than 300 years and uses the local coral filtered water along with local molasses nicknamed "Black Gold."
Mount Gay Silver, Barbados, $24
Cruzan Black Strap
This rich molasses nose on this aged dark rum is perfect for mixing in a Mai Tai, Colada or other Tiki-style drinks. Black Strap utilizes the Cruzan's five-column distillation process, which gives it a smooth flavor with bursts of dark chocolate and brown sugar that shine through.
Cruzan's Black Strap, St. Croix $18
ORANGE LIQUEUR
The origins of orange liqueur can be traced back to the Dutch, who were famous for bringing back persevered herbs, fruits and spices from all over the world to use in distilling. One special ingredient they brought back was the oranges from the southern Caribbean island of Cura�ao. These bitter oranges were used as a flavoring element in the heavy, sweet style, brandy-based pot-distilled liqueur. Centuries later, a less sweet style of the Dutch version was developed in the Loire region of France and called it triple sec (sec meaning "dry"). You can use any basic triple sec for your margarita, but if you want to elevate it, try using some first-class orange liqueurs.
Combier L'Original Liqueur D'Orange
Combier L'Original Liqueur D'Orange has been producing in Samur in the Loire Valley of France since 1834 and is distilled from sugar beets from Normandy along with bitter, dried orange peels from Haiti and sweet Valencia oranges. There is also a secret concoction of ingredients directly from the Loire Valley. It is triple-distilled in the same copper still been used since Jean-Baptiste Combier created it. The flavor is not overly sweet and offers a gentle spice to the finish.
Combier L'Original Liqueur D'Orange
$31, 750ml bottle
MEZCAL
Mezcal has really started to blossom in the U.S. last 10 years, possibly due to a boom in the crafted cocktail scene and also an increased push permitting certified makers to import. Traditionally served straight up, like a cognac or a scotch, it can also add dimension to a plethora of mixed drinks, especially a margarita.
Ilegal Joven
Ilegal's origins were based on the needs of bar owner John Rexer in Antigua for his bar Caf� No S�. As the first mezcal bar outside of Mexico, Rexer needed to get his supply from Mexico to Guatemala and did so with a little help from a friend's "Uncle."
On the brand's website, Rexer says, "...we were a bit creative in how we brought mezcal across the border."
This mezcal is un-aged with a bright citrus note under the agave scent that carries nicely into a margarita. Ilegal Brand ambassador Gilbert Marquez suggests using Combier (an orange liqueur), fresh lime juice and kosher salt for the rim. Ilegal also offers a reposado (aged four months) and a�ejo (aged 13 months).
Ilegal Joven, $48
Kristen Siebecker is a Certifed Sommelier and lover of cocktails. She is the co-host of I Feel Vine, a weekly podcast about the power of positive drinking. She also hosts recreational wine classes under the title, Popping Your Cork. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter at @WineWithKristen.
This story is part of our special report: "In the Spirit". Want to read more? Here's the full list.
