In search of some unique gift ideas for those who appreciate a good libation? David Cohen, Certified Sommelier for Bottlerocket Wine and Spirit gave us his eight top picks.
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin
It comes to us from the Black Forest in Germany. Cut down to 92% proof, this gin is made from 47 botanicals which include lingonberry, grain of paradise and spruce shoot. The red berry notes distinguish it from the other gins that tend to be much heavier on the juniper. Aged 3 months, and presented in beautiful earthenware jars, with a great cork and gorgeous label makes this a gin worth gifting. $44.
Orphan Barrel’s Barterhouse Kentucky Bourbon
“Orphan Barrel is an interesting company. One to know about and watch,” Cohen said. Orphan Barrel whiskey Company actively seeks out the older, almost forgotten barrels of American whiskey in a number of different distilleries and warehouses and then bottles them from their own distillery in Tullahoma, Tennessee. The goal is to bring to market some of the lost American whiskeys that have sat unattended in warehouses for many years. In this case, 20 years. Cohen adds that Orphan Barrel makes some great whiskey and this one is a treat at $99.
Balcone’s Baby Blue Corn Whiskey
Cohen described Balcone as an "interesting new distiller from Texas. They like to use native ingredients to make their whiskey." Made from 100% Texas blue corn meal, Cohen says that “it doesn’t taste as sweet as you might think. They do not filter their whiskey and what you get is a musty, earthy, sweet corn flavor.” He describes it as “very unique, very interesting, and easy to drink.” And adds that this is another company worth watching as they do lots of things other people have not tried yet such as playing around with lots of ingredients that give their whiskeys unique flavors. “This is the fun guy of the bunch. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s very easy to drink and can be used as a mixer for some traditional cocktails as well.” Baby Blue Corn Whiskey retails for $59.
The Whistle Pig’s The Boss Hog
An 11 year old Rye Whiskey made in Shoreham, Vermont. Cohen describes it as some of the most desirable rye in the country. This very limited edition bottled at 117% proof needs some dilution. “This is one of the most complex rye whiskeys you will ever taste,” Cohen said. He also thinks that “it happens to come in the coolest bottle I have ever seen with the pewter flying pig.” It really is a gorgeous bottle. At $159 this is a special gift and deserving of its price tag.
Rocca Patron Anejo
Rocca Patron’s most recent tequila release, the Anejo, is created by using a centuries old method. Roca is essentially a giant rock that is used to crush the agave plant thus releasing the plant’s juices. The initial run-off is the sweetest juice of the plant, and this initial run-off is what is used to make the Anejo. Bottlerocket carries the entire Patron line, but Cohen believes that the Anejo is superior because it is sweet, smoky and complex but yet subtle enough that you can drop an ice cube into a glass and savor it as it is. Of course you can drink a shot, but at $88 a bottle it seems silly to not savor this tequila.
The Divine Droplets Saki
It is a Junmai Daiginjo quality grade – which is the superior grade. The reason for this is that the rice is polished down to center before it starts the fermenting process. The center of the grain has the most concentrated flavor. This sake should be served with a slight chill and it goes with a wide variety of food. It has a flowery flavor with hints stone fruit, peach and has a nice mineral finish. Cohen describes this one as “a comfortable roller coaster ride of a flavor profile. It is delicious.” $70.
Growers Champagne Henri Goutourbe 2005
Growers Champagne is a special club, Club Trésors de Champagne, that was created in 1971. Membership is simple: one must grow their own grapes and be a legally recognized Récoltant-Manipulant. This group doesn’t sell their grapes to the larger houses – such as Dom, Veuve, Moet, Perrier Jouet. Instead they take a vintage and express it through the grapes that are growing on the exact plot of land on the farm. These growers have come together to help support and fund each other so that they can continue to sell individual champagnes without having to sell their grapes to other houses, thus preserving the flavor of the region. The Henri Goutourbe was disgorged into bottle last March which gives it a very fresh and lively flavor profile. Cohen describes it as "focused straightforward, fruity with a hint of pastry—bakery-shop like, with excellent crumbly, stony mineralogy on the finish which makes you want to take another sip. It is absolutely delicious." At $92 Cohen says that “the Henri Goutourbe is a great value, and you will get something out of this that is truly special.”
Bottlerocket Wine and Spirit
1790 Post Rd East, Westport; 203-259-3939