Tag Archives: mezcal

10 Mezcals: Our Current Favorites

Last week we dove headfirst into mezcal with the hopes of getting you as passionate about the spirit as we are. This week we’re hoping to help you put your new knowledge into practice by sharing 10 of our current favorite bottles, all stunning expressions of the art, tradition and skill that goes into artisanal mezcal making. Take one or two or more home and taste them side-by-side for a truly instructive (and really, really delicious) tasting experience.

Del Maguey produces spectacular single village mezcals, all with very distinct personalities. The “Minero Santa Catarina Minas” is made in a region of Oaxaca that’s only accessible via a small mountain pass, using clear, clean water and well-fertilized pinas that make this bottling extraordinarily approachable. It has mellow flavors of vanilla, fig, charred honey and a hint of lemon – just delicious. $69.99

The Del Maguey “Vida de San Luis del Rio” is an excellent, soft, versatile and user-friendly mezcal made by mezcalero Marcos Cruz Mendez in Oaxaca. The Espadin agave is roasted over a wood burning pit, which lends a complex array of flavors that include honey, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, burnt sandalwood, banana, and tangerine. A terrific gift for a mezcal newbie, it’s suitable for sipping on the rocks or for cocktails. $34.99

Made by mezcalero Espiridion Morales Luis and his son, Del Maguey’s “Santo Domingo Albarradas” comes from a lush, tropical region in southern Oaxaca similar in many ways to parts of Hawaii. It’s light, with lots of pear and spicy wood notes, with a clean and dry finish. This is the mezcal to pick when you’re looking for something that’s more elegant and refined, but not too dear. Great for sipping either neat or with a single cube. $69.99

Bozal’s “Cuixe.” Sure, it’s a great looking bottle (really) but it’s more than just a pretty package. Cuixe is a very tall, very fibrous agave, which the mezcaleros roast over a wood burning pit. Its flavor profile is a balancing act between fresh and tropical fruit flavors, and earthy, piney, starchy ones. And at this easy price (for a mezcal) it’s a great starting point for those looking to explore. $59.99

The Bozal “Castilla” is made from the Castilla agave, which is a close cousin to Espadin, but is smaller and harder to find. The piñas used in the making of this bottle were harvested deep in the Oaxacan valley, in San Juan Bautista Jayacatlan, and contribute a lush, fruity, tropical nose to an otherwise austere mezcal. It finishes with notes of mint, mocha, and subtle smoke. $89.99

If you’re really into mezcal, grab a bottle Bozal’s “Coyote” while it’s here. It’s extremely subtle and beguiling, with a rich minerality and marked dark chocolate/cocoa notes. It finishes dry and balanced and wants nothing more than an ice cube to liven up. It’s made in Sola de Vega, Oaxaca, in very minute quantities. Very special. $89.99

The Alipus mezcals highlight the regions and terroir of their origins. The San Andreas, made by Don Valente Angel Garcia Juarez in Miahualtan, Oaxaca, is the most well known, with a bright and fragrant Espadin agave characteristic, backed up with a piquant alcohol kick. It’s a very food-friendly mezcal: The bold flavors stand up well to grilled or roasted meats, veggies and spicy dishes. $44.99

This “San Juan” is the smokiest Alipus. San Juan del Rio is made from Espadin grown high in the Oaxacan mountains where it is very dry, by mezcalero Don Joel Cruz. It’s another bold offering, with subtle fruity agave notes balanced by a rich, mouth-coating smokiness. This is the mezcal for that Scotch drinker you know who refuses to try anything but Scotch. $44.99

The Pierde Almas “Dobadaan” is the bottle for the super fan. It’s the only commercially available Dobadaan (a variety of agave) that we know of, and it’s extremely rare. It’s made in San Baltazar by Alfonso Sanchez and Gregorio Velasco. The aroma is of a smoldering autumn leaf fire, smoky and rich, with stewed fruit flavors and a finish of clove and sandalwood. $84.99

Here it is. The King Of The Agave. Tobala is grown in the wild, and yields ridiculously low harvests. A mezcal made from Tobala is something to be prized and savored. Do yourself a favor – if you’re into mezcal, put this El Jolgorio Tobala on your bucket list. It’s made by Gregorio Garcia, Gregorio Hernandez, Valentin Cortes in Oaxaca’s Santiago Matatlan and is worth every penny. Trust us. $124.99

To learn more about mezcal, stay tuned into our newsletter, where we’ll be announcing our May schedule of mezcal tastings. We’ll be opening up a new bottle or more each Thursday in May 2018. We hope to see you in store!

prices subject to change

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El Diablo – An Easy Late-Summer Cocktail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re not entirely sure why this iconic tequila-based cocktail isn’t more popular among the general drinks-lovin’ public. After all, it’s easy to make, distinctive, delicious and a perennial bartender favorite.

To right that wrong we’ve teamed up with our friends at The East End to concoct an updated spicy take on the classic El Diablo. Bar Manager Kayleigh Speck swapped out tequila for mezcal, and amp’d up the spice with the addition of a habanero shrub. She shakes it with creme de cassis, and lime juice, adds ginger beer and presto: the  iconic cocktail gets the attention it deserves.

More on that mezcal: We’ve chosen the Mezcales de Leyenda given its superior taste and its commitment to quality and the environment: its business practices are responsible straight through farming to bottling. For this recipe we’re using the Oaxaca Blanco for its lemongrass aromas and flavors of lemons, herbs and cooked agave.

Head to the store to pick up your bottle — $5 off through August 2017 — for this cocktail (or just for sipping – it’s that good) then head to The East End to taste their El Diablo on tap!

The East End’s El Diablo

1½ oz Mezcales de Leyenda Oaxaca
½ oz Merlet Creme de Cassis
½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
2 Dashes Habanero Shrub (Bittermens Hellfire is a good one)
Approx. 4oz Ginger Beer
Lime wedge for garnish

Combine all ingredients, except ginger beer, to a shaker with ice and shake. Fine-strain into highball or Collins glass with fresh ice, top with ginger beer and garnish.

Cheers!

A Pair of Pear Cocktails

This time of year we’re always on the lookout for easy-drinking, flavorful cocktails that don’t pack a killer wallop, i.e., those that we can sip on all weekend long. This pair of pear cider cocktails make great companions for strenuous Sunday relaxation activities such as marathon sessions of book-reading, Netflix binge-watching, and backgammon-playing.

The following recipes were created by our newest team member, Lilian Rogers, a truly skilled cocktail-crafter whose passion for the culture of cocktails is infectious. Enjoy these, and stay tuned for more from Lily!

smokymule

The Smoking Mule (photo above)
This drink is earthy, smokey and creamy with tart pear notes. The ginger beer ice cubes take their time to melt, making it a great slow-sipper. Makes 1 cocktail.

4oz Sonoma Cider’s “The Pitchfork” Pear Cider (hard cider)
1oz mezcal
.5oz freshly-squeezed lime juice
.75oz vanilla simple syrup (or, regular simple syrup with 2 drops of vanilla extract)
4 – 6  ice cubes made from ginger beer
1 fresh pear, for garnish

Fill a high-ball glass with the ginger beer ice cubes. Pour in mezcal, lime juice, and vanilla simple syrup, and stir once gently to combine. Top with the pear cider, and garnish with a slice of ripe pear and a straw.

 

The Garden Trowel
Ethereal with beautiful, complex botanicals, this cocktail is creamy and balanced by crisp pear notes. Makes 1 cocktail.

4oz Sonoma Cider’s “The Pitchfork” Pear Cider (hard cider)
1oz botanical gin (such as Uncle Val’s Botanical, Hendrick’s, Farmer’s Organic Botanical)
.75oz freshly-squeezed lemon juice
.75oz vanilla simple syrup (or, regular simple syrup with 2 drops of vanilla extract)
1 fresh pear, for garnish

Combine gin, lemon juice, and vanilla simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until slight film of condensation forms on the outside of the shaker. Strain into a rocks glass (8oz or larger), top with 4 oz pear cider. Garnish with a slice of ripe pear.

Cheers and Enjoy!

Favorite Bottles: Top Holiday Spirits

Liquor Gift Ideas

If there’s a time of year when you need a special bottle of something, it’s the holidays. Whether you’re looking the perfect gift for those you really appreciate, or need a memorable bottle to open up and share with family and friends, we’ve made sure to bring in our favorite picks to feature in the shop. 

Here is our selection of Gin, Vodka, Rum, Mezcal, Whiskey, Scotch, and even Chartreuse that we find especially delicious and interesting. Plus, they’re easy on the eyes! Cheers!

Gin

favoritebottle_stgeorgegin1

GIN

Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin – A delightfully dry gin made with cool, crisp cucumber & aromatic citrus. As well suited to a Gin & Tonic as a dry Martini, this bottle is a real treat for the gin lover in your family.  Make a Botanical Spritzer

St. George Botanivore Gin – A remarkably well balanced gin in the London Dry style. Deeply aromatic, its juniper flavors blend seamlessly with note of citrus & herbs. Try it in a Dorflinger

St. George Terroir Gin – This heady gin is made with botanicals that grow in California. It has a big nose of spruce tips, with a finish of laurel & oranges. Our recommended cocktail: Terroir Martinez

St. George Dry Rye Gin – Rye is super spicy! This gin is electric with bright, spicy, dry rye flavors. Perfect for a Dry Rye Negroni.

Vodka

VODKA

Karlsson’s Gold – Made from seven separate distillations from virgin Norwegian potatoes. Incredibly smooth, with a rich mouthfeel and a creamy, lingering finish. Neither Eric or Liam are allowed to bring it home anymore – it goes too fast. Try it in a Black Gold (Karlsson’s on the rocks with a crack of black pepper).

Jewel of Russia ‘Ultra’ – Each unique, hand-painted bottle contains one of the purest spirits we’ve ever encountered. It’s almost like drinking nothing at all. How do you drink this? Shake over ice & strain. That’s it.

Mezcal Tequila

MEZCAL

Xicaru Silver – Made from 100% Espadin agave, smoked over mesquite, and crushed in the traditional Tahona method, this is a Mezcal of distinction. From its earthy start to its finish of light citrus notes, this is the perfect bottle for the Mezcal lover in your life, or for someone longing to be introduced to the world of Mezcal. Fantastic in a Mezcal Paloma – Pour 1 oz. of Xicaru in a highball glass with ice, and top with grapefruit soda.

Pierde Almas Coñejo – This remarkable Mezcal is only made once a year, and in very limited quantities. It’s produced by wrapping fruit, almonds, and anise in a rabbit & hanging it in the still, rather like a gin is produced. The final product is akin to drinking a big, beautiful, smoky, citrusy roast. Made for sipping.

Rum

RUM

Grand Ten Medford Rum – Grand Ten Distillers, in Boston, has brought back a lost, forgotten style of rum with their Medford. Made from a sour mash of blackstrap molasses, it’s creamy, buttery, & hugely aromatic. This is a whiskey lover’s sipping rum. Looking for a cocktail featuring Medford Rum? Make a Palmetto.

Clement 6 Year Grand Reserve – A true sipping rum, the Grand Reserve is a blend of rums aged for years in different oak casks – some in French Limousin, some in charred new American oak. The resulting blend of finish rums has flavors of almonds & biscotti, hazelnuts, tarragon, & green tea. Delicious as is.

Chartreuse

CHARTREUSE

Chartreuse Green – Truly in a class of its own, Chartreuse is the creation of Carthusian monks, who have been passing down & perfecting their recipe for centuries. Trying to describe the flavor of Chartreuse is like trying to describe your first kiss. It’s strange & wonderful, ethereal & delicious all at the same time. If you need a Chartreuse cocktail, we recommend a Chartreuse Smash.

Chartreuse Green V.E.P. – As if a bottle of Chartreuse wasn’t good enough, the monks also make an extra aged version. As far as we can tell, it’s made from unicorn tears, ambrosia, and the laughter of children. It’s a rare treat, and a stunning example of the heights people can achieve when they put their minds to it.

Cognac

COGNAC

D’Usse – This is a newcomer for us, and we were impressed with its intense flavors (of cinnamon & clove) and its light, creamy mouthfeel. This is a great bottle for the Cognac drinker in your life who’s looking for something new. D’Usse makes an impressive Vieux Carre.

Cognac Louis XIII

Remy Martin Louis XIII – This legendary blend contains no spirit less than 50 years old. It has subtle & nuanced flavors of hazelnuts, truffles, & prunes. Distinct & impressive, this is truly a gift for someone very deserving.

Whiskey - Tin Cup

WHISKEY

Tin Cup – American Whiskey at its finest, Tin Cup is a new release from Jess Graber out of Colorado. Distilled from grain and a generous amount of rye, it’s light & lively on the palate, with a dry finish that makes it equally as suited to cocktails as it is to a few cubes. Wonderful in a classic Old Fashioned.

Michters Celebration Bourbon Whiskey

Michter’s Celebration – Hand selected by Master Distiller Willie Pratt, this extraordinary blend of 20 – 30 year old Bourbons & Ryes is going to make one very lucky person very, very happy. It could be you!

Bruichladdich Scotch Whiskey

SCOTCH

Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie – Previously known as the ‘Laddie 10’, this unpeated Single Malt is made from 100% Scottish barley, carefully distilled, and aged in American Oak. It’s equal parts fruity, malty, biscuity, creamy, & delightful. The perfect bottle for the Whiskey lover in your family.

Macallan 25

Macallan 25 Year Sherry Oak – One of the highest rated & consistent Single Malts in the world, the Macallan 25 Year exhibits deep & profound notes of cinnamon, wood smoke, dried fruits, and a touch of citrus. The kind of gift that lets people know what you really think of them.

Cheers!
– The Bottles Team