Lush Life

Gin Notes: Zuidam Genever Gin

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Mar 5th 2008 @ 4:04PM

Zuidam Genever Gin is 40% abv. / 80 proof and is a Genever or Holland style gin that is very different from the London Dry style of gin since it is based on malt liquor rather than neutral spirits. Genever is considered the original style of gin and is heavier and sweeter. Zuidam Genever can be considered the beefier cousin to Zuidam Dry Gin that I reviewed a few years ago, although it is much lighter and more refined than typical Genever's.

The aroma is big, warm, malty; with a solid juniper base overlain with a variety of herbs and spices like juniper, licorice root, vanilla, aniseed and marjoram which are some of the botanicals used in this gin.

The taste starts out with the malty, almost whiskey-like base rapidly followed by juniper, licorice, and aniseed. Spicy, big, but not over the top. This is very different from both London Dry styles and other Genever's I've tried. it's somewhere in the middle, but leaning more towards the musky complexity of the Genever family. Genever is usually drunk ice cold in small, short stemmed shot type glasses (or occasionally on the rocks) and served with food. This is very much in the Scandinavian Aquavit or Russian vodka style of drinking it ice cold during the meal. if you love gin, but are looking for something different, then I recommend you try a Genever, and start out with Zuidam.

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Liqueur Notes: Tuaca Liquore Italiano

COMMENTS 4

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Mar 4th 2008 @ 4:04PM

Tuaca Liquore Italiano is 35% abv. 70 proof and the color is a beautiful amber gold.

The aroma starts off with a big, smooth, rich hit of vanilla and buttery notes; followed by a subtle orange/citrus with hints of spices that puts you in mind of the aroma of an adult version of a creamsicle orange/vanilla ice cream pop. One that has been dunked in a fine, aged brandy. As it sits more of the vanilla comes out buoyed up with honey tones.

The taste is slightly sweet and warm, complex, with the same flavors as the aroma but with the vanilla downplayed, but more of the spices coming through, balanced by the medium light body. I first tasted this liqueur in Tim Love's Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in NYC after watching him win on Iron Chef America during the taping a few hours prior. He and his crew had tossed back cold shots every 15 minutes during the competition. So I was curious and ordered a icy shot. I sipped it slowly, rather than tossing it back and very much enjoyed the liqueur. So much so that I have had a bottle in my collection ever since. Tuaca is great sipped in a snifter or on the rocks, in a highball with seltzer, or in the many Tuaca based cocktails.

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Gin Notes: Gilbey's London Dry Gin

COMMENTS 5

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Mar 3rd 2008 @ 4:04PM

Gilbey's London Dry Gin is 40% abv. / 80 proof. Although it says "London Dry Gin" this refers to the style, and the gin is made in the US according to the original British recipe.

The aroma is a nice, light and floral juniper base, a hint of sweet orange zest and earthy angelica root floats along on top of a melange of other spices and herbs. This is a classic London Dry style gin. Very aromatic and complex, but clean and dry. Gilbey's is a very pleasant smelling gin; and you can tell that it's well made just from the aroma that must contain at least 8-10 botanicals. I tried to research what the actual botanicals are, but to no avail.

The taste is clean, light, dry, and very smooth. Juniper, spices, citrus, all blended well together so that they don't overwhelm each other. This is one of what I consider the trademarks of a classic London Dry style. This is a gin that can play all the bases; on the rocks, cocktails, highballs. Not expensive, but a great bang for the buck, you can't go wrong; and you could do much worse.

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Liqueur Notes: Irish Mist Liqueur

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by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Mar 1st 2008 @ 3:02PM

Irish Mist liqueur is 35% abv. / 70 proof and supposedly dates back to a thousand year old recipe for "Heather Wine.'

The color of Irish Mist is a medium amber gold. The aroma is that of fine whiskey, honey, herbs, baking spices, and vanilla notes. It's very full, complex, warm, and enjoyable.

The taste is of sweet Irish whiskey, tempered with honey, vanilla, and baking spices. Like the aroma the taste is warm, complex, and full. I like this straight in a snifter, on the rocks, or in cocktails. It's a perfect after dinner sipper, especially on these cold winter nights when you are snuggled up on the couch gazing into the fire. It's guaranteed to warm you up and mellow you out.

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Friday Happy Hour: Rehorst Premium Milwaukee Gin Cocktails

COMMENTS 0

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Feb 29th 2008 @ 4:04PM

Here are some Rehorst Premium Milwaukee Gin Cocktails created by Jason Neu of Eddie Martini's in Wauwatosa, WI. I love that name Wow Wa To Sa! It sounds like a toast in Native American. (Actually it means "The Great Walker", A noted Indian Chief from the area.)

Maple Gin Fizz
Jason's twist on a gin fizz

2 ounces Rehorst gin
1/2 ounce amaretto
1/2 ounce cream
1 egg white
½ ounce pure maple syrup
1 ounce lemon juice
Dash of bitters
Seltzer
Shake with ice for at least one minute. Strain into a champagne flute and top with a splash of seltzer.

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Gin Notes: Rehorst Premium Milwaukee Gin

COMMENTS 1

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Feb 29th 2008 @ 3:03PM

Rehorst Premium Milwaukee Gin is 44% abv. / 88 proof and is made in Milwaukee, WI by Great Lakes Distillery. I shot off an email to Guy Rehorst and asked him about the botanicals used in his gin and he got back to me immediately. He says it is made with nine botanicals: Juniper, Coriander, Cardamom, Saigon Cassia, Lemon peel, Orange peel, Anise, and two additional botanicals which it seems have never been used before to make a gin; Wisconsin Ginseng and Sweet Basil. Premium Wisconsin Ginseng is considered the finest ginseng in the world and eagerly sought after in Asia.

The aroma is big, really BIG. It instantly makes me think of some of the other new American style big gins out there like Bluecoat, Aviation, Back River, No. 6, etc. but it definitely has its own thing going on when it comes to the specifics. The base aroma is juniper, covered by a blanket of herbs and citrus, earthy roots, floral notes, you name it, but all so well blended that none rises too much above the rest. It's a bewitching and beguiling aroma. This is another one folks. A gin that grabbed me by the nose and I spent minutes just absorbing it all without even taking a taste. I love that the cardamom is present, but not overwhelming, and the hints of anise balance it out. I place this in my top five for best aroma, out of the many gins I have tried over the years.

The taste is very herbal, with the juniper again as a base note. Citrus winks through, a dash of sweetness, followed by a pleasantly sharp, lip tingling tang from the anise and cardamom. My mouth and then sinuses filled up with a burst of botanicals flooding through my head. I added a bit of ice and even more of the big botanical presence came through, a splash of water increased it even more so.

This is a big, big gin. One that says, "Here I am guys... Whatcha gonna do about it!"

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Gin Notes: Seagram's Distiller's Reserve Gin

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by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Feb 27th 2008 @ 3:03PM

Seagram's Distiller's Reserve Gin is 51% abv. / 102 proof and like the Seagram's Extra Dry Gin is aged in oak barrels for a period of time. Seagram's Gin is the only barrel aged gin on the market. Seagram's Distiller's Reserve is the combination of the best of the barrels as selected out of hundreds by Seagram's Master Distiller. The ones that have the richest character and most distinctive aroma and taste are blended at barrel proof strength to create this gin. The higher strength of the spirit is definitely noticeable when sipped straight.

The color is a very pale straw yellow from the barrel aging. The aroma is similar to the Extra Dry, but much more so. The blend of citrus, spices, and juniper is strong, but well balanced. Juniper takes the forefront with citrus holding it up, and the spicy and herbal notes floating along pleasantly behind. Not as bold as some of the new, big, in your face, American gins, the Seagram's Distiller's Reserve sets a new standard in gin as a classically styled, American dry gin.

The flavor is also bolder than the Extra Dry without being too bold. Elegant; mild citrus, juniper, and herbs. This gin will add its input to any cocktail or highball it is in, without demanding the primary role. It makes an excellent G&T where it expresses itself enough to stand up to the tonic, without being brash about it.

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Rum Notes: Pusser's British Navy Rum

COMMENTS 4

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Feb 26th 2008 @ 3:03PM

Pusser's British Navy Rum is 42% abv. / 84 proof. Pusser's was the official rum of the British Navy. From 1655 until 1740 sailors were issued their ration, called a 'tot' of a pint a day, with a double tot before and after battle. Then the tot was cut to 1/2 a pint a day and then it was mixed with water, and sometimes sugar and lime juice, to make grog. it wasn't until July 31, 1970 that the British Navy finally stopped issuing a daily tot to their sailors. The brand went out of business for a few years and then an enterprising business man bought the recipe and started production of Pusser's rum for the general public in 1979, for which I'm grateful.

The color is a lovely medium coppery gold. The aroma is full of caramel, tropical fruit, floral note, hints of baking spices and faint peppery notes, and sweet and dry comes through. I really like the aroma of Pusser's and I can just sniff it for minutes on end.

The taste is a semi-dry melange of everything in the aroma, caramel, tropical fruits, spices, and more. Complex, long finish, aromatic, yum! I keep a stainless steel hip flask full of Pusser's for when I go out tobogganing and on long winter walks to keep the chill off. I wish I could track down some of the other Pusser's rums to try. Until then I am making do with some of their t-shirts and their colognes.

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Monday Happy Hour: Xellent Swiss Vodka Cocktails

COMMENTS 0

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Feb 25th 2008 @ 4:04PM

Here are a bunch of Xellent cocktail recipes for your Happy Hour.

Xellent Heaven

5 cl Vodka Xellent,
1 - 2 dashes dry vermouth
1 tsp. Curaçao Blue Karibso,
7 - 8 ice cubes
Suggested garnish: 1 lemon balm sprig

Stir the vodka, vermouth and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass and dribble the Curaçao Blue over the cocktail. Xellent Heaven is refreshingly heavenly.

More recipes after the jump.

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Vodka Notes: Xellent Swiss Vodka

COMMENTS 0

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Feb 25th 2008 @ 3:03PM

Xellent Swiss Vodka is 40% abv. / 80 proof and is distilled and bottled in Switzerland using pure glacier water. It's won numerous awards and mention over the past few years. Xellent is made from 100% Swiss, alpine grown rye.

I really enjoy rye based vodka. No matter how well rectified it is, the character of the grain comes through. The aroma is medium light, spicy, fragrant, with a hint of floral tones. Underneath you have a hint of grains and light bready notes. An interesting combination of warm and cool sensations in the nose. I find the aroma very enjoyable.

The taste is slightly spicy and breadlike, light, complex. It develops character as it sits on your tongue and smoothly trickles down your throat. This is one of the first vodkas I had where I said to myself "this actually has flavor to it!" Which led me to finally getting over my prejudice about vodka. Xellent works great straight cold in shots with dinner, on the rocks, and in cocktails of all types.

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