So many drinks…so
little time! January is the perfect time to update your bar with exciting
additions to your repertoire. For something different,
try Pisco from Chile (Kappa); Rums from Guatemala (Zacapa), Panama (Abuelo), or
Dominican Republic (Brugal); and new wine entries The Calling, Lapastolle Canto,
ChocolatRouge, and Sweet Red Roo from YellowTail. There’s always the classics;
Don Julio Tequila, Laphroaig Triple Wood Scotch or Maker’s Mark Bourbon. 

Brugal

Aged a
minimum of two years up to five years in White American Oak casks this classic
Dominican rum is triple filtered to achieve an exquisite clarity, which pairs
beautifully with the added smoothness and velvety profile achieved from the
rum’s aging process.

Brugal Extra
Dry is the newly released, cask-aged white rum that best expresses the dry
nature that sets Brugal apart from most other rums’ characteristic sweetness. Extra
Dry is crafted for those who want to experience a different kind of rum; it
works well in cocktails as the perfect balance to sweet mixers often paired
with rum.

Brugal Extra
Dry (SRP $19.99)  

Enchanted
Dry Daiquiri
Created by
Tim Cooper of GOLDBAR

2 oz. Brugal Extra
Dry Rum

.25 oz.
Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

.25 oz.
Velvet Falernum

.5 oz. Basil
Syrup

.75 oz.
Fresh Grapefruit Juice

.75 oz.
Fresh Lime Juice

Basil leaf
garnish

RON ABUELO

In 1908 Don
José Varela established the first sugar mill in the town of Pesé in the
recently-formed Republic of Panama. 

The
103-year-old company’s rums are created by the blending of two distinct styles
of rum distillates:  a light, clean rum
distilled to a higher proof and an aromatic base rum with bold, exotic
flavors.  Crafted and aged in oak barrels
that extract notes of vanilla and caramel, the final result is a rich and
fragrant spirit that offers subtle, complex flavors.  Each of the four members of the Ron Abuelo
family offers a different experience, a unique personality and character. 

Ron Abuelo
Añejo – bright, golden amber in color, a medium-bodied blend of carefully
selected aged rums.  Hints of sweet
fruit, toasted coconut, vanilla and other delicate spices are followed by a
finish of mocha, nuts and sweet spice. 
SRP $15.99 / 750ml

Ron Abuelo 7
Años – a rich blend of rums, aged for seven years in small oak barrels.  Brilliant amber, medium-bodied with hints of
fruity caramel, tea leaf and notes of toasted coconut and spice. SRP: $22.99 /
750ml

Ron Abuelo,
12 Años – richer, darker and more full-bodied. 
Its character, softness and complexity will delight the most
sophisticated and challenging palate. 
SRP: $32.99 / 750ml

Ron Abuelo
Centuria – crafted to celebrate the 100-Year anniversary of Varela Hermanos and
their long tradition of producing the finest aged rums in Panama.  To produce this rare spirit, the Varela
family opened up private stocks from their highly-guarded “Reserva de la
Familia” and utilized a selection of rums aged up to 30 years.  SRP: $130 / 750ML

Zacapa Rum

Under
the leadership of Roberto Garcia Botrán, President and CEO of Industrias
Licoreas de Guatemala, the leading distilling company in Guatemala and Chairman
of the Board of Rum Creation and Products, Inc. (RCP) Zacapa Rum is making
major inroads in the world market after signing their agreement with spirits
giant Diageo.

Zacapa Rum
23 is a unique spirit aged “above the clouds” at 7,500 feet above sea
level in Guatemala. Crafted through a dynamic and artisanal process, this spirit
has notes of caramel, vanilla and almond. It’s the specific combination of
Guatemala’s soil, climate and altitude, together with their Master Blender’s
unusual degree of control over production and aging that create this smooth tasting
rum.

The
Guatemalan Mayan heritage is intrinsic to the craftsmanship of Zacapa, which is
why every bottle with a petate band.

Añejo
Highball
By
New York City Mixologist, Naren Young


Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces Zacapa Rum

1 ounce Orange Curacao

1 ounce Ginger Syrup

3/4 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1 dash of Bitters

Soda water for top

Preparation:

In
a cocktail shaker, combine Zacapa Rum, Orange curacao, ginger syrup,
fresh lime juice and bitters. 

Shake and
strain over ice into a Highball glass. 

Top with
soda water.

Ideal Serving Glass: Highball glass

Yield: 1 drink

 Laphroaig Triple Wood Scotch

Laphroaig
Triple Wood is a complex expression that balances subtle sherry sweetness and
hints of sea salt with Laphroaig’s signature peat smoke aroma, boasting a rich
blend of creamy vanilla and hints of sweet fruity flavors.

Laphroaig
Triple Wood (48% ABV; 96 proof) is the result of a distinct triple maturation
process in American Oak ex-Bourbon barrels, 19th Century style quarter casks
and specially selected European Oak Olorso sherry casks. Roughly 13,500 bottles
have been produced for the U.S.

With its bright
gold color and powerful, yet slightly creamy consistency Laphroaig Triple Wood
has the scent of a gentle mixture of sweet raisins and apricots with a trace of
earthy peat smoke, rounded out by hints of smooth nutty flavor.

When you
take your first sip you taste a large initial burst of peat gentled by the
flavors of vanilla and fruit, balanced by a smooth caramel taste and subtle
suggestion of sherry sweetness. Laphroaig Triple Wood was named the 2011
International Wine & Spirit Competition Gold Medal (Best in Class) Islay
Single Malt Scotch

Laphroaig
Triple Wood  SRP $60.00 / 750ml

Maker’s Mark Bourbon

Maker’s Mark is one of our favorite bourbons. The product is
distilled at Star Hill Farm, which has been a Historic National Landmark since
1980. Every step of the process is handcrafted (including the red wax
seal). The company recently launched Maker’s 46, a traditional Maker’s Mark aged
longer in toasted oak. Because Maker’s Mark use red winter wheat
instead of harsh rye, the smooth taste of the bourbon shines through
in cocktails as well as in food items.

Following
The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits strict measures for bourbon, Maker’s is aged at least two years in new, charred-oak barrel, contains at
least 51% corn, is distilled at less than 160 proof and bottled at 80 proof or
more.

Apples
and Bourbon

1
¾ parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon infused with apples

½
part Aperol  Apertivo Liqueur

¾
part lemon juice

½
part thyme honey

Dash
maple bitters

1.
Add all ingredients into a shaker. Add ice. Shake vigorously.

2.
Strain over ice into a rock glass. Garnish with thyme spring and apple slice

KAPPA PISCO

Alexandra
Marnier-Lapostolle and Charles de Bournet Lapostolle of the
Marnier-Lapostolle family, producers of the iconic French spirit Grand
Marnier and Lapostolle wines have recently introduced KAPPA Pisco. 
Pulling from House of Marnier-Lapostolle’s centuries of expertise in producing
Grand Marnier, KAPPA Pisco marks the family’s first ever introduction into the
white spirits category.  Pisco is an unoaked grape brandy, and Kappa Pisco
is produced with two varietals of the aromatic Muscat grape: Rose and
Alexandria Muscat, grown & distilled under the Southern Cross constellation
in the Valley of Elqui. The blends makes for a complex, berry like taste with a
richly layered finish. Presented in a midnight blue bottle that captures the
constellation that inspired Charles with the name.

SRP
$30.95

Grand KAPPA Sour

2
oz KAPPA Pisco

½
oz Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge

½
oz fresh lemon
juice                                              

½
oz simple syrup

1
egg white

Combine KAPPA Pisco and
rest of the ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice.  Shake
vigorously and strain into a small champagne flute.  Top with tree drops,
or half dashes, of Angostura bitters (to create the shape of the Southern
Cross).

KAPPA Blue
Star

2
oz KAPPA Pisco

¾
oz simple syrup

½
oz lemon juice

1
egg white

10
blueberries

In
a shaker, muddle blueberries with simple syrup.  Fill the shaker with ice,
add KAPPA Pisco and remaining ingredients.  Shake
vigorously and strain into a small champagne or martini glass. 

KAPPA Kooler

1½
oz KAPPA Pisco

½
oz simple syrup

Club
Soda

Squeeze
a wedge of lemon and lime

Combine
all ingredients into a Collins glass with ice. Top with club soda and stir.
Garnish with lemon and lime wedge.

KAPPA Punch

1
½ oz KAPPA Pisco

½
oz Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge

¾ oz of fresh pressed pineapple juice

½
oz simple syrup

½ oz of apple juice

½
oz of fresh pressed lemon juice

2
dashes of Angostura Bitters

All
ingredients are shaken and served over fresh ice in a rocks or old fashioned
glass.

Garnish
with an apple slice and lemon wheel.

Twist
on the old-fashioned

1
½ oz KAPPA Pisco

¾
oz Grand Marnier Cherry

3
dashes Angostura bitters

Stir
ingredients on the rocks and garnish with an orange twist.

The Calling

Peter
Deutsch, CEO of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits has teamed up with Emmy Award
winning commentator Jim Nantz, in Deutsch Nantz Alliance (DNA), to produce a
Sonoma based wine brand named The Calling.

“Serendipity
brought us together one night at a restaurant in Connecticut where we both
happened to be dining. Jim happened to mention his long-standing desire to
enter into the wine business. We realized we could team up and build something
special.” said Deutsch.” Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits markets more than 30
leading wine brands. But this is the first time the firms is serving as a wine producer.

Deutsch and
Nantz selected grapes from the Dutton Ranch Vineyards in the Russian River
Valley to produce two Chardonnays: 
Dutton Ranch ($30) and Jewell Vineyard ($40),  each aged 12 months.  Two red wines from the Alexander Valley
complete the portfolio: a 2009 Rio Lago Cabernet Sauvignon aged 24 months ($35)
and 2009 Alexander Valley “Our Tribute” Bordeaux-style blend, aged 30 months.
($60).

“The keyhole
symbolizes the consumer’s chance to unlock their calling in life.  It goes back to what my father always said to
me and Bill Deutsch would say to Peter, ‘Pursue your passion. Be the best you
can be,’” said Nantz.

Lapostolle Canto
de Apalta 

Alexandra
Marnier-Lapostolle and Charles de Bournet Lapostolle of the Marnier-Lapostolle
family, producers of the iconic French spirit Grand Marnier have taken their European
winemaking knowledge to South America to produce superb wines and, surprisingly,
Pisco. 

Continuing
their tradition of blending that began with Clos Apalta, Lapostolle presents
now the inaugural 2010 vintage of Canto de Apalta, comprised of Carmenère –
Chile’s signature grape – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.  This blend releases a bouquet of spices and
ripe fruit accompanied by hints of light tobacco and chocolate.   On
the palate, a velvety texture delivers bold red fruit alongside spicy notes
that pair well with grilled meats and complex dishes. 

Lapostolle’s
natural philosophy adheres to minimal intervention through the winemaking
process, highlighting the inherent balance of the four grapes used in the blend
and their complementary main characteristics: the roundness and spicy
expression of the Carmenère, the red fruit and acidity of the Merlot, the
complexity and elegant structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon, and the exuberance
and attractive aromas of the Syrah.

The “Song of
Apalta” name was inspired by diverse array of bird species now thriving in the Lapostolle vineyards
thanks to concerted environmental efforts.

Canto de
Apalta 2010  SRP $19.99

Sweet Red
Roo by Yellowtail

Peter
Deutsch, the man responsible for the above mentioned is CEO of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits,
whose numerous success stories include the launch of Australia’s  Yellow Tail, the number one imported wine
brand in the United States. Deutsch has been responsible for spearheading an
exceptional growth streak for the company his father, Bill, founded 31 years
ago, building an impressive global wine portfolio centered around leading
family-owned producers and adding a spirits division in 2008.

[ yellow
tail ] Sweet Red Roo is made with grapes sourced from the highest quality
vineyards. The grapes are fermented on their skins, in contact with oak to add
even more depth to the wine. Temperatures are kept high to ensure that we get
the maximum color and tannin from those treasured grape skins. Finally, we bottle
[ yellow tail ] Shiraz on the estate, keeping a watchful eye on the whole process
from start to finish.

 [ yellow tail ] Sweet Red Roo displays aromas
of naturally sweet red berries, vanilla and chocolate. The red wine blend is
dominantly Shiraz (~80%) with Cabernet Sauvignon (~10%) and a mixed blend of
other red varietals.

 [ yellow tail ] Sweet Red Roo is a bold,
expressive tasting red blend can also be served chilled. Enjoy with your favorite
BBQ dishes or in your favorite Sangria recipe!

ChocolatRouge

Deliciously
different, ChocolatRouge Sweet Red is a luscious blend of fine red wine and
rich chocolate flavors reminiscent of chocolate-dipped red berries with a soft
velvety finish. If you’re looking for the perfect dessert wine this is an excellent choice.

Don Julio


This Tequila is clear. Its aroma is light with a hint of citrus. Its taste is
light, clean and dry with a touch of black pepper. This is how blanco Tequila
should smell with unadorned, raw, but fetching peppery/dill-like aromas, scents
of lanolin, palm oil, sand, minerals and slate. The palate entry is semidry,
intensely sap-like and honeyed; at mid palate the taste profile displays a
satiny texture and a robust, herbal, mildly salty flavor. Notes of dill and
tree fruit and a touch of jasmine and fermenting agave; on the palate there’s a
white peppery zip and a stony mineralogy with a touch of honey.

Jalapeno
Watermelon Margarita

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounce Tequila Don Julio Blanco

1 1/2 ounce fresh watermelon juice

3/4 ounce agave nectar

3/4 ounce fresh lime juice

1 slice of jalapeno

Lime wheel for garnish



Preparation:

Combine Tequila Don Julio Blanco,
fresh watermelon juice, agave nectar, and fresh lime juice into a cocktail
shaker.

Add
a small slice of jalapeno and allow the heat to transpire for 15 minutes.

Add ice.  Shake
vigorously.

Strain contents
over ice into a rocks glass.

Garnish with
a lime wheel.

Ideal
Serving Glass:

Rocks Glass

Yield:

1 drink

Brand new
this year, Tequila Don Julio has released the world’s first clear Añejo
tequila, Tequila Don Julio 70 (SRP $70), an exciting development in the tequila
category. This innovative, refined drink is perfect for the man in your life
who likes to stay ahead of the curve.