AS THEY SAY, people drink in good times and bad. Steadily rising sales of top-shelf spirits proves again how right they are. But it’s not just the challenging economy causing Americans to take an extra tipple now and again. The fact is there are increasingly more genuinely enticing spirits on our nation’s backbars. Coupled with the resurgence of the cocktail, there has never been a better time to imbibe.
The explosive growth in new products is further evidence that Americans are growing savvier and more discerning. As long as demand continues unabated, distillers will continue releasing small batch artisanal spirits. Keeping in step with the times necessitates changing out your backbar selections on a fairly regular basis. It helps keep the staff engaged and the guests expanding their horizons.
There are also several news liqueurs that deserve serious consideration. While no one luxuriates with a postprandial cordial anymore, an uncommonly magnificent liqueur or two are able to reinvigorate a bar’s cocktail program. Few things can elevate a cocktail into the extraordinary range quicker than lacing it with a sublime liqueur.
Picking the winners out of the steady stream of new entries—especially in the hotly contested categories—is key to successful backbar management. To streamline the process, here’s our list of the hottest new backbar prospects for 2010.
• ABANDONADO 100% AGAVE TEQUILA — Another brand that rocked the 2010 Spirits of Mexico Competition, Abandonado is handcrafted in Amatitán at Tequila Tres Mujeres (NOM 1466). The extra añejo, which is aged 40 months in medium-charred American white oak, was awarded a gold medal and “Best of Category” honors, while 18-month old Abandonado Añejo also earned gold. Their crowd-pleasing tequilas are light-bodied, highly aromatic and eminently drinkable. (Agave, Inc.)
• BENJAMIN PRICHARD’S DOUBLE BARRELED BOURBON — This handcrafted gem is pot-distilled from a blend of corn and rye. The whiskey is first aged for 7 years in new charred American oak barrels, then reduced to 90-proof and put into a new charred barrel for another 2 years. The process is exclusive to Prichard’s and one sip will convince you it was well worth the extra effort. The character-rich bourbon is complex, semisweet and luxurious. Double kudos. (Prichard’s Distillery)
• BUFFALO TRACE EXPERIMENTAL COLLECTION — In their endless pursuit of the perfect whiskey, Buffalo Trace has created a set of limited release bottlings. That their so-called experiments were a success is an understatement. Among the roster of never seen before whiskeys are two Chardonnay wine-finished bourbons, two French oak finished whiskeys (10- and 12-years old) and a fire pot barrel aged whiskey aged in barrels heated prior to being filled. (Sazerac)
• COCKSPUR 12 BAJAN CRAFTED RUM — Cockspur rums are crafted outside of Bridgetown, Barbados from cane molasses and pristine coral-filtered water, and aged in American oak bourbon barrels. Their flagship is a blend of the oldest rums in the distillery’s cellars. Ideally sipped from a snifter, this stellar Bajan rum is gloriously aromatic and graced with the long-lasting flavors of toffee, brown sugar, vanilla and dried tropical fruit. (MHW/Cockspur USA)
• COLD RIVER GIN — You haven’t tasted a gin like this. Small batch Cold River Gin, 94 proof, is made in Freeport, Maine from locally sourced potatoes and spring water from an underground aquifer. The classically structured gin has an oily texture and a palate flavored with Maine juniper berries, coriander, lemon and orange peels, orris root, angelica root and cardamom. It’s precisely balanced with juniper in the lead and zesty citrus and cardamom spice on the finish. Viva la difference! (Maine Distilleries)
• COMBIER LIQUEUR D’ORANGE — Although new to the American market, Combier Liqueur d’Orange is a veritable fixture behind European bars. Created in 1834, it’s triple-distilled in the original alembic stills from the same blend of bitter orange peels from Haiti. Comparing Combier to conventional triple sec is like comparing a Monet to a kid’s finger painting. Its long-lasting finish is warm and citrusy, a perfect complement to a top-shelf Margarita. (Cadre Noir Imports)
• DON DIEGO SANTA 100% AGAVE TEQUILA — Made in Guadalajara at Destileria Rio de Plata (NOM 1124), Don Diego Santa Reposado is aged 6 months and blended with tequilas aged just under a year, while the reserve añejo is matured a minimum of 18 months. Along with the unaged blanco, each of Don Diego Santa expressions earned gold medals at this year’s prestigious Spirits of Mexico Competition. A guaranteed top-shelf performer. (Franklin Distillers)
• EVAN WILLIAMS SINGLE BARREL 2000 VINTAGE BOURBON — This phenomenal bourbon was distilled and barreled in the autumn of 2000. After resting for 9 years in charred oak casks, the whisky is drawn straight from the barrel and bottled at 86.6 proof. The 2000 vintage has a generous bouquet and a palate of vanilla, caramel and sliced oranges. Its finish is like an extended paid vacation—delightful to the very end. (Heaven Hill)
• FLOR DE CAÑA GRAND RESERVE — This sensational rum well deserves its reputation for excellence. It’s distilled from high-grade molasses and aged for no less than 7 years in the heat and humidity of Nicaragua. The result is rum perfection. The Grand Reserve has an alluring caramel nose and waves of delectable semisweet flavors. (SKYY Spirits)
• HARLEM KRUIDEN LIQUEUR — Produced in Holland by the maker’s of Ketel One, HARLEM is a blend comprised of fresh herbs, spices and a modicum of mandarin. The ultra-suave liqueur has a lightweight body and lavish bouquet of fresh citrus, sarsaparilla and mocha with warm earthy notes. Its bitter herbal components are ideal at balancing the sweet, savory or acidic characteristics in a wide range of cocktails. (Nolet Spirits USA)
ginger, green cardamom, kaffir lime, cinnamon bark and fair trade hibiscus. Hum, 70-proof, has a balanced, thoroughly engaging character with a spicy, savory and sweet palate and a touch of bitterness on the finish. (Preiss Imports)
voluptuous body, an enticing bouquet and a long-lasting fruit-laced finish. Be prepared to be wowed. (Kindred Spirits)
