William Grant's Spirits of Summer

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed)
Apr 22nd 2009 at 11:02AM

When the weather finally warms up in these parts we look forward to sitting out in the garden with the sun, the birds, a good book and a tall cool drink. We recently had the chance to try some great new candidates for quaffing - three (relatively) recent entries and one true classic - courtesy of William Grant & Sons spirits. Reyka is the first and only vodka to be distilled and bottled in Iceland. The small-batch, hand-crafted, ultra-pure spirit is distilled in a copper still imported from Scotland using barley, wheat, and spring water filtered through 4,000 year-old lava rock. Milagro super premium tequila is crafted in small batches from estate-grown 100% blue agave hand-selected in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Using traditional clay ovens, Milagro slow roasts the agave six times longer than most tequilas, and uses a triple distillation process that imparts exceptional smoothness.

Sailor Jerry Rum bears the signature of Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins, the father of old-school tattooing. Distilled to 92 proof, it's a strong, spiced, smooth spirit. Made from Sailor Jerry's personal recipe, it's handcrafted from pure, rich dark molasses, blending Carribean-style rum with vanilla, caramel and various spices. And Lillet, an aperitif blended from 85% wine and 15% citrus liqueurs from France, was established way back in 1872. The wines are carefully selected in the Podensac area and citrus liqueurs are produced through the maceration of cold fruit peels in pure distilled spirits over several months. It's then aged in oak to acquire a soft, rich character. We're partial to the Blanc variety with its hints of honey, candied orange, lime, and mint.

Tags: aperitif, France, Iceland, Lillet, Lillet blanc, LilletBlanc, Mexico, Milagro, Reyka, rum, Sailor Jerry, SailorJerry, summer cocktails, SummerCocktails, tequila, vodka, William Grant, William Grant Sons, WilliamGrant, WilliamGrantSons

Filed under: Spirits

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

just me Apr 22nd 2009 2:30PM

hey JPS, glad you enjoy Reyka vodka too. I've used it for a couple of years now. Very nice.

I have a new favorite cocktail, replacing my 12 year love affair with the Negroni, with (what I've named) The Fiat: equal parts Irish Whiskey (Jameson's is nice), Green Chartreuse and Sweet Vermouth. Stir, never shake, strain and serve straight up with no embellishments. A perfect smoky, mysterious drink. I can even see enjoying it through Spring, probably not the summer when I'll switch to Corpse Reviver n. 2.

JPS Apr 22nd 2009 3:31PM

Wow... I'll have to try that.

Ian Apr 23rd 2009 8:59AM

I have to second the Milagro recommendation - my wife and I have been sampling new tequilas this year and it has been our favorite of what we've sampled so far.

just me Apr 23rd 2009 11:19AM

I have a bottle of Milagro which I received as a gift two Christmases ago. It's a clear bottle with a wild interior that represents something like a glass explosion. The giver said it was a very fine tequila. It is not in the blue bottle. anyone know about this?