Spirits

Hot Holiday Cocktails from Hornitos Tequila

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Dec 23rd 2010 at 6:02PM

You may not think of tequila as a traditional holiday tipple, but in fact more of it is consumed over the holidays than at any other time of the year. It certainly fits the bill when you're looking for a party crowd-pleaser, for one thing. Hornitos Premium Tequila, the 100% puro agave tequila from Beam Global Spirits & Wine, named after the small agave ovens which played a central part in the great Don Francisco Javier Sauza's revolution of the tequila industry 50 years ago, has created some unexpected holiday drinks designed to "instigate a night of endless celebratory possibilities" using their acclaimed Plata, Reposado and Anejo expressions. They've also come up with an extra-special concoction for New Year's Eve which will be served at the Official Times Square New Year's Eve Party at the Hard Rock Cafe, while debuting a cool new commercial (above) set to run from December 27th – January 2 tied to the occasion. Read on for recipes and bottoms up.

Hornitos Holiday Smash

1 ½ parts Hornitos™ Añejo Tequila
2 slices fresh pear
1 wedge of fresh lemon
1 half moon slice of orange
½ part simple syrup
3 whole cloves

In a sturdy double Old Fashioned glass muddle the cloves. Add to the glass the orange, lemon, and pear and muddle with simple syrup. Fill glass with ice, add Hornitos and stir. Serves One. [cont'd]

Tags: cocktail, cocktail recipe, cocktails, Holiday 2010, holidays, Hornitos, New Years Eve, Sauza, spirits, tequila

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Johnnie Walker Gold Label Ice Pillar

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Dec 23rd 2010 at 4:02PM

Johnnie Walker has unveiled a stylish new gift set for its Gold Label Scotch whisky designed to serve the exclusive spirit ice cold, stemming from the connoisseurs' practice of freezing their Gold Label to release its true character as the whisky warms in the mouth. Inspired by frosted gold leaves, the outer case of the Ice Pillar opens to reveal a stunning display piece that works as both a chiller and an ice bucket, conceived by top design firm QSLD Paris. Gold Label, the famed brand's Centenary Blend, is crafted from blend of 15 different whiskies, each aged at least 18 years. It's rich and mellow with a creamy, honeyed body and a slight caramel and vanilla nose. The gift set is available at select retailers nationwide at a suggested retail price of $97.

Tags: gift set, gifts, gold, Johnnie Walker, Johnnie Walker Gold Label, Scotch, Scotland, spirits, whiskey, whisky

Ethiopian Runner Haile Gebrselassie Inks Deal With Johnnie Walker

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Dec 22nd 2010 at 12:01AM

Ethiopian runner and Olympic gold medal winner Haile Gebrselassie is the newest face of Johnnie Walker whisky. The elite runner is part of the Diageo brand's Keep Walking campaign. The ad says in part: "He used to run to class. Now he runs for gold." He is said to have earned approximately $100,000 for the one-year contract and will appear in print ads for the brand. He is the first African chosen to advertise Johnnie Walker.

The move has caused some controversy because Gebselassie is seen to be a role model by many young people in Ethiopia. His 90-second television ad will not be shown on Ethiopian Television because the country's laws prohibit ads for spirits. The advertisement is part of the Walk with Giants campaign which has featured Sir Richard Branson, F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton and Robert Carlyle.

Tags: elite runner, Haile Gebrselassie, johnnie walker, whiskey, whisky

The Classicist: Celebrating the Season in Style with Range Rover at Wheatleigh

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Dec 20th 2010 at 9:02AM

Click above for high-res image gallery. Photos exclusive to Luxist.

Winter can be a long, cold interlude verging on a test of endurance in the Northeast, and it's all too easy to get bogged down by the doldrums. Plenty of people either hibernate by their hearths or hit the beach until the mercury makes its ascent, but there are myriad ways to keep warm with style, verve and panache. We recently gathered some of our favorite accessories of the season at Wheatleigh, the majestic mansion-turned-luxury hotel in the heart of the Berkshires' winter wonderland. Getting us there in style and comfort through anything the weather cared to concoct was the 2011 Range Rover Sport, a luxurious way to see the landscape safe in the knowledge that the elements have met their match. The pedigreed SUV's smooth, refined, performance and rugged good looks mark it as a thoroughbred in all respects, a suitably stylish conveyance for arriving at a desirable destination like Wheatleigh. And we had the great new Olympus PEN E-PL1 compact, versatile digital camera on hand to record it all for your vicarious enjoyment.

Wheatleigh, located in Lenox, Mass. next door to Edith Wharton's famed country manor The Mount, is a grand estate based on a 16th century Florentine palazzo built in 1893 by New York financier Henry H. Cook for his daughter who married a Spanish count. Many of the materials and over 150 artisans were brought from Italy to produce intricate carvings and design flourishes for the grand interiors and facades. Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who designed Central Park in New York, was responsible for creating "Wheatleigh Park" on the land surrounding the palazzo. Following a four year multimillion dollar renovation it was transformed into one of the most unique luxurious small hotels in the world. The nineteen suites, guest rooms and baths artfully combine antiques and custom furnishings with original museum quality contemporary art. The baths are finished with English limestone, marble and hand-blown glass fixtures, and most rooms feature fireplaces and Bang & Olufsen TVs. Check out the gallery to see the perfect accoutrements for a stylish seasonal sojourn – from books to watches, champagne to cashmere sweaters, and boots to bags – no matter where your journey takes you.

Gallery: Range Rover at Wheatleigh Dec. 2010

Graf & Lantz wool felt Boat Bag, personalized Tumi Alpha wheeled case.

Tumi Alpha case; Dom Perignon Tribute to Andy Warhol edition; Private Stock jeans; Graf & Lantz Quiver wine carrier w/ Robert Mo

Tags: Bang Olufsen, Berkshires, Brooks Brothers, Central Park, champagne, Dom Perignon, Edith Wharton, estates, Frederick Law Olmsted, gardens, Holiday 2010, L.L. Bean, Lenox, luggage, luxury hote, mansion, Massachusetts, mens style, New England, Olympus, Olympus PEN E-PL1, palazzo, Persol, Ralph Lauren, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, spirits, stolichnaya, sunglasses, SUV, teNeues, The Mount, Tumi, vodka, Wheatleigh, winter

Tips for Throwing a Perfect Holiday Cocktail Party

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) — Dec 19th 2010 at 10:31AM

Tips for throwing a perfect cocktail party.

Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice: 60 tongue-tingling cocktails (Chronicle Books, 2009) and Spirits Reviewer for Wine Enthusiast Magazine has offered us some of her best tips for throwing the perfect holiday cocktail party.

First and foremost, it is important to prepare in advance, says Newman, whose articles have also appeared in The New York Times, Imbibe, The San Francisco Chronicle, Gourmet, and Saveur, and many other publications.

Here's what Kara suggests:

The pros pull together their mise-en-place before an event, and so should you. Before guests arrive, make sure you have everything you need to make drinks close at hand. That means glassware, spirits, garnishes, etc. Cut fruit into wedges; wash and dry herbs; squeeze fresh juice and decant into squeeze bottles.
If space permits, put glasses in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before guests arrive. Pull them out as you're making drinks, and they'll be perfectly chilled and have a professional-looking frosty sheen.
Alternatively, set out a "do it yourself" station with a theme, such as a Bloody Mary station with various spirits, mixers, and garnishes. Print up a basic recipe or two, and stand it in a picture frame. Guests can use the recipe as a guideline, or create their own drink riffs.
If you're serving alcohol, always be sure that you're serving food, too.
Good rule of thumb: You can never have too much ice!
If you don't want to tend bar, consider making a party punch and serving in a show stopping, decorative bowl.

Check out our related story on holiday-themed cocktails along with recipes including one created by Kara, herself.

Tags: awards-main, cocktail recipes, cocktails, food-pedia, Kara Newman, luxist-awards, main-pedia, recipes, spirits

Holiday Shopping Guide: Collectible Cognacs

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) — Dec 18th 2010 at 11:02AM

Forget about wine (just for a second): this season's gift to have and to hold onto is cognac. With its stately maturity and supple, refined flavors, a well-chosen bottle of cognac doesn't just reward your giftee for 2010, its an investment in their imbibing future. If your bottle remains unopened next year it's not because they didn't approve, it's because they deem it an heirloom.

Pierre Ferrand Collection Privée 1914

World War I was in its first year when this Grande Champagne cognac began its long journey. Scoring a perfect 100 in France's Gilbert & Gaillard 2010 wine guide, the 1914 vintage ($1,500) is exceptionally developed with yeasty, dark fruit flavors and plenty of woody sweetness. For the rare book collector on your list.

Tags: cognac, collectibles, collection, france, holiday gift guide

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Holiday Gift Guide: Wine And Spirits Gift Packs

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) — Dec 18th 2010 at 9:02AM

Let's face it, the hour is nigh. Time is running out, and most likely patience and gifting creativity are following close behind. Don't fret, as these holiday gift packs have both brilliant packaging and a coveted payload contained within. Grab one and declare Holiday Shopping 2010 over.

Dom Pérignon Side By Side ($600)

Two bottles, two vintages. A Vintage 1996 and a Oenothèque 1996, both contained in one handsome case. Two birds, one stone. Next.

Tags: Ardbeg, dom perignon, gift packs, holiday gift guide, holiday gift guide 2010, macallan, Rare Wine Co., spirits, wine

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Cocktail Recipes for Holiday Entertaining

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) — Dec 17th 2010 at 7:31PM

The Candy Cane Lane holiday cocktail by Van Gogh BLUE Vodka

Planning to throw a holiday party or an unforgettable New Years' Eve bash? We collected favorite cocktail recipes from some of the best mixologists around, all of which perfect for holiday entertaining.

Richard Leach, the head of the cocktail department at New York's Polynesian supper club, The Hurricane Club told us how to make his delicious banana, rum and fresh mint cocktail while Matthew Silverstein, the bar manager at Mario Batali's Del Posto gave us the recipe for his famous XO Champagne Cocktail. Olivier Flosse of New York's A Voce, shared his "Whisky del Frante" recipe while Chef Jon Ashton, in-house chef for Relish magazine, gave us his "Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert Shot". Finally, Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice, a zesty book brimming with cocktail recipes, gave us the secret for making her "Spiced Caramel Apple" cocktail (check out our related story that features Kara's best tips for throwing a cocktail party).

From Van Gogh Vodka's "Candy Cane Lane" to the "Sugar Cookie", your guests will love these festive cocktails. Try out a few recipes and let us know us which ones you like the best in the comment field below.

Candy Cane Lane (seen above)
2 1/2 oz Van Gogh BLUE Vodka
1 oz White crème de menthe
1/2 oz Peppermint schnapps
Cream
Splash of Grenadine
Peppermint candy for garnish

Add a dash of grenadine into the bottom of a chilled martini glass and set aside. Pour the rest of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into the glass with grenadine to create a "swirl" effect. Garnish with peppermint candy.

For more holiday cocktail recipes, click on any of the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Holiday Party Cocktail Recipes

Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert Shots

Tags: A Voce, awards-main, Del Posto, food-pedia, Holiday cocktails, Hurricane Club, Kara Newman, luxist-awards, main-pedia, Mario Batali, New Years Eve, The Hurricane Club, Van Gogh BLUE, van gogh vodka

Holiday Shopping Guide: Small-Batch Whiskeys

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) — Dec 17th 2010 at 3:02PM

There really isn't any way you can go wrong with gifting whiskey. There are, however, several ways to elevate the act from the merely perfunctory to the thoroughly distinguished. One of our favorites is by going with a small-batch whiskey, those limited stocks that are the result of special releases, forgotten styles or craft producers. These are our selections, sure to win you "most favored" status.

Tuthilltown Spirits Hudson Manhattan Rye

Gardiner, NY's Tuthilltown Spirits has a lot going for it: the first whiskey distillery to open in New York State since Prohibition, Tuthilltown has become a critical darling due to their local, hand-crafted appeal and "little distillery that could" backstory. Also, the whiskey is fantastic. Their Hudson Manhattan Rye ($40) celebrates the state's longstanding relationship with this spirit, the foundation of a Manhattan cocktail, with a whole grain rye bite that's rounded off with sweet fruit and floral notes. Each bottle is hand-numbered and dated, which adds just the extra bit of artisan allure.

Tags: holiday gift guide, scotch, spirits, whiskey, whisky

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Ltd. Edition Glenfiddich Decanter by Steuben

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Dec 16th 2010 at 4:02PM

In search of the ideal present for the Scotch lover on your list? Famed single malt distillery Glenfiddich has partnered with renowned luxury glassmaker Steuben to create an exclusive hand crafted whisky decanter (above) in a limited edition. Priced at $690 and available exclusively at the Steuben flagship store in New York, the bespoke decanter is a collaboration between Steuben's master craftsmen and Glenfiddich master distiller Brian Kinsman, representing more than a century's worth of artisanship, tradition and expertise. The Steuben hallmarks of flawless design and attention to detail are combined with filigreed decorative elements inspired by some of the rarest and most precious Glenfiddich expressions.

The elegant piece also features subtle design cues that reflect the storied history of the Glenfiddich distillery, est. 1876, including the famous stag head design and the signature of its founder William Grant. "Both Glenfiddich and Steuben share a dedication to craftsmanship that stretches back more than a hundred years," notes David Bitran, Glenfiddich Senior Brand Manager. "In that time, while the successes of both our companies have grown, the dedication to craftsmanship and quality has endured." "Much like Glenfiddich, this beautiful decanter is the result of hard work, the best materials and the finest craftsmanship," adds Robert Nachman, Vice President of Design and Marketing for Steuben.

Tags: bar, barware, decanter, distillery, gifts, glass, Glenfiddich, Holiday 2010, Scotch, Scotland, spirits, Steuben, whisky

Ten Great Ports and Madeiras For the Holidays

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Dec 16th 2010 at 3:02PM

When you say "stickies" to a wine geek it's understood that you mean sweet dessert wine. But when you say Madeira or Port to a wine geek, it's understood that you are talking about the unique wines of Portugal that are not nearly as sticky as they are desirable; fortified with brandy and produced in elaborate ways, the wines are too complex to be called sweet dessert wines; in fact, some of them, especially Madeira, go a long way to serve as foils to a meal.

When the cold outside has us seeking warmth, there's nothing warmer than the feel of a fortified wine. The following ten-five Madeiras and five Ports-will not only warm you, they will make you feel pampered and fed.

Madiera is the wine that never dies. That's because of its singular process that literally cooks the wine to near-Pasteurization. The result is that each type of the five major Madeira wine styles is underlined as caramelized. Because the wines never die, try some of the older vintages listed by the Rare Wine Company Madeira importers. Don't worry. Once you open it, you do not have to finish the bottle for years to come.

Barbeito Sercial 1988 ($90.00)

The driest Madeira style, Sercial is pale in color. It is aged for at least eight years before release, which deepens its color somewhat. Contrary to the "sticky" moniker, when served slightly chilled, Sercial makes for a great aperitif and can also be paired with seafood as well as with dried fruits and nuts.

D'Oliveira Verdelho 1973 ($110.00)

Verdelho is golden-hued, medium-bodied, with sweetness up front and a dry finish. Tradition has it that you serve Verdelho with fruitcake, but it does equally well with fruit or cake individually, not to mention nuts, which is standard Madeira pairing material.

Tags: Barbeito Malvasia, DOliveira Bual, Dows Port, Fonseca Port, Holiday Gifts Madeira, Holiday Gifts Port, Madeira, Niepoort Vintage Port, Smith Woodhouse

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A Touch of Dickens: Tanqueray Finest Gin Punch

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Dec 15th 2010 at 2:01PM

Charles Dickens wrote in 'David Copperfield' in 1850, "Punch, my dear Copperfield, like time and tide, waits for no man ... His recent despondency, not to say despair, was gone in a moment. I never saw a man so thoroughly enjoy himself amid the fragrance of lemon-peel and sugar, the odour of burning spirit, and the steam of boiling water, as Mr Micawber did that afternoon. It was wonderful to see his face shining at us out of a thin cloud of these delicate fumes, as he stirred, and mixed, and tasted, and looked as if he were making, instead of a punch, a fortune for his family down to the latest posterity."

And, in Dickens' "Scrooge," the miser's assistant, Bob Cratchit, is heard to compliment his dear wife's gin punch as the finest in London.

For a Christmas party, a proper Dickensian Gin Punch sets a festive mood.

So, how does one make a gin punch, and should you use just any gin? The answer to the second, for me, is, No. Don't just use any gin unless pressed by budget or circumstances (i.e. you are snowed in, and can't get out of the driveway).

Tags: Bob Cratchit, Charles Dickens, cocktail recipes, gin, gin punch, holiday cocktail, holiday cocktails, Scrooge, Tanqueray

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Chrome Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Dec 12th 2010 at 3:02PM

There's one in every family: someone who loves cars and alcohol...often in equal measure. And while we wouldn't condone driving under the influence, we do have what could very well be the ultimate gift for that special someone.

This set of chrome and glass decanters are crafted in England by Nicholas Brawer. Each of the five replicates the radiator grille from a classic Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz or Jaguar motor car. Price is available from the retailer upon request.

Gallery: Grille Decanters by Nicholas Brawer

[Source: Nicholas Brawer via Luxury Launches]

Tags: bentley, bugatti, decanter, flask, jaguar, mercedes, mercedes-benz, nicholas brawer, rolls-royce

Whiksypedia Boasts Listings of the World's Best Vintages

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) — Dec 12th 2010 at 2:01PM

Want to impress your friends with your sophisticated knowledge of "cask strength" or the difference between "wood finished" and "sherry finished?" Are you already a lover of fine whisky looking for a handbook to guide you to your next favorite bottle? Then your new best friend should be Charles MacLean. The perfect stocking stuffer is his eighth work, a bar-sized new book, Whiskypedia.

MacLean isn't just a connoisseur - he's practically an industry legend, awarded the was elected a Keeper of Quaich, the industry's highest accolade as well as a guest lecturer at the Smithsonian Institution.

Whiskypedia, explores the flavor and character of every malt whisky distilled in Scotland. Although legend once had it that the unique characteristics of individual types of whisky were derived from mystical sources, MacLean goes into in-depth detail of the specific customs and equipment used in each distillery.

Tags: charles maclean, spirits, whisky, whiskypedia

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First Taste: Banks 5 Island Rum

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Dec 11th 2010 at 4:01PM

First Taste: Banks Five Island Rum has been rolling into bars and entail for the past several months. Named for noted explorer Sir Joseph Banks, it has been created by John Pellaton (former president of Hine Cognac USA) and his partners.

It's a white rum, bottled at 43% ABV, with a price you'll find between $25-$28.00.

The complexity of the rum, which is evident at first whiff, is due to the fact that it is actually a blend of rums from five different distilleries. Each rum was aged between three and twelve years, and then filtered to go white again after the aging. The rums come from Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana and Java.

On the tongue, Banks is nicely peppery with notes of ginger. I drank it straight and then with some Angostura Bitters over ice. It exhibits a very full body and long finish. It is about the most interesting white rum I have tried in years.

Tags: AngosturaBitters, Banks 5 Island Rum, rum, Rum cocktails, Rum punch

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