Innovation is rife in the spirits industry; and we think that’s a very good thing. Craft spirit producers are innovating to stay relevant in the eyes of their audience and to diversity their brands’ offering.
In recent years we have experienced the resurgence of the bottled cocktail – often a collaboration between a few craft producers to come up with a ready to drink product that requires only ice. It may have all started with the popularity of Wild Turkey Honey Liqueur, a versatile, unconventional bourbon or the move towards smaller, higher ABV RTD’s (see Jack Daniels American Serve). For years, there has been a stigma attached to the pre-mixed, ready to drink spirits that have been on offer. They’re often too sweet, too weak in terms of ABV and don’t appeal to the craft consumer. That’s now changed for the better. The Handmade Jeffersons Manhattan Barrel Finish Cocktail is the perfect example; made with the superior Jefferson’s 6 year old bourbon and a combination of the finest sweet and dry vermouth and spiced barrel aged cherry bitters – it’s finished in the original Jefferson’s bourbon barrels in the Kentucky Hills. Crafted in collaboration with USA’s Esquire Magazine, it ticks all the boxes.
The New World Whisky Distillery, purveyors of Starward, came up with their very own bottled cocktail which was super popular; The Summer Old Fashioned. Using cask strength Starward Whisky, raw sugar and a house-made concoction of bitters, they came up with an old fashioned recipe that was limited to 312 bottles. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on one and try it, you’d be kicking yourself if you only bought one! Coming in at a very decent 48.5% ABV it is a downright respectable bottled cocktail (we hope they produce some more!)
Next up is another beauty from the US – The High West Distilleries take on The Barreled Boulevardier. Originally, Erskine Gwynne, the mastermind behind the Boulevardier Cocktail, would use equal parts Campari, Italian Vermouth and Bourbon Whisky to craft this fan favourite. The High West twist on the recipe uses High West Bourbon, Vya Sweet Vermouth and Gran Classico, a bitter amaro from Switzerland; the ingredients are rested in American Oak until they ‘reach perfection’. You might ask, ‘What is a Boulevardier?’ – a reasonable question! Turns out, it is a term used to describe a wealthy and fashionable man who had knowledge of advanced cultural pursuits and who frequents New York City, Parisian Boulevards and Illegal Prohibition era underground Jazz clubs. Legendary stuff!
We’re keen to see what hand bottled cocktails come out of 2017 and we’re off to a great start with the launch of the Aussie Tipple Company by The Nip Of Courage. A range of 4 cocktails that are crafted with the use of Australian rums, liqueurs and gins, from a number of artisan producers. Watch this space!