The BevX Holiday Gift Guide 2020 — Spirits (part two)

Chances are that since you are a person of impeccable taste and curiosity that you have friends who share your passion for wine & spirits.

December has arrived and the clock is running. BevX has made it easy to make your holiday buying decisions today. Why procrastinate? Did you know that last-minute shoppers represented 36 percent of the overall total? There is no reason to wait until the final moments.

We have assembled a modest list of stellar spirits (wines revealed last week — see our wine guide HERE) ranging in price from $25 to $90. It will be hard to resist picking up a bottle or two for yourself so why try? End the year by being generous with yourself as well. Have a great holiday season.

Spirits

Old Pulteney

Old Pulteney is the most northerly distillery on Scotland’s mainland. It was founded in 1826 in the historic fishing town of Wick. At one time the unassuming port at Wick was Europe’s most prolific herring port. In the early 20th century Wick had a reputation as a rough town and the lawlessness and drunkenness led the town leaders to impose a 25 year prohibition on alcohol in 1922. These days it’s a charming and safe town.

Old Pulteney 15 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky — $90, See the Featured Review

Redwood Empire

Named for the “Redwood Empire” that stretches from San Francisco to the Oregon border. Redwood Empire Whiskey has a bold and noble mission to plant a tree for every bottle of their Whiskey sold. They source their grains from the Midwest and California. The distillery is located in the heart of the Russian River Valley wine appellation in a former apple canning plant. The spirits are created on a custom-designed, micro-column still and aged in West Sonoma County. The Redwood Empire team led by Head-Distiller Jeff Duckhorn, follows an environmentally sustainable approach in all stages of production.

Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey — $45, See the Featured Review

Revanche

Revanche is made with a blend of VS, VSOP, and XO Cognacs that come from four Cognac Crus: Borderies, Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, and Bons Bois. The Cognacs were selected years ago and matured in the cellars of Tessendier/Birkedal Hartmann until the final blend was created and bottled. Esteemed fourth generation Cognac negociants Jerome Tessendier and Kim Birkedal Hartmann created the Revanche blend. This Cognac is wonderfully versatile, ideal for a wide range of applications in classic cocktails, as well as served neat or on the rocks.

Revanche Cognac — $39.99, See the Featured Review

Mad March Hare

Mad March Hare Poitin is a great example of contemporary Poitin perfect for both cocktails and sipping chilled. Today the USA market accounts for approximately 36% of Irish Whiskey sales and there is a great interest in Irish spirits of all styles. Poitin is uniquely Irish and it is a category that was ready for a serious makeover. The Mad March Hare Poitin connects the illicit spirits of centuries gone by to the contemporary Irish craft distiller.

Mad March Hare Irish Poitin— $24.99, See the Featured Review

Christian Drouin Le Gin

Forget everything that you know about Gin! Of course, we expect nothing but perfection from Christian Drouin and with their fabulous “Le Gin” perfection is delivered. Gin drinkers are are an opinionated crew for sure and this very expressive Gin may fall outside of their expectations. For us, it’s magical. As you would expect this Gin is made with a base of distilled cider. Thirty cider apples are utilized and expertly married with eight botanicals. Each of these botanicals (juniper, rose, lemon, ginger, vanilla, cinnamon, and almond) are distilled separately and blended in proper portions to achieve this bold but delicate Gin.

Christian Drouin Le Gin — $45, See the Featured Review

Somrus

SomPriya is a new, premium spirits company bringing age-old, traditional and delectable flavors from the Indian sub-continent to cups of libations across the globe. SomPriya’s heavenly connotation derives from the name’s origin – “Som” meaning “God” in Indian languages and “Priya” meaning “Dear to” thus the belief and motto of being “Dear to Gods.” Somrus – the great liqueur is the first product to be introduced and we think it’s a damn fine start!

Somrus Coffee Cream Liqueur — $24.99, See the Featured Review

Puncher’s Chance

Puncher’s Chance Kentucky Straight Bourbon is made with a blend of four, five, and six-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbons by the Wolf Spirit Distillery. Wolf Spirit Distillery was founded in 2017 by a 17-year veteran of Campari, Umberto Luchini. Puncher’s Chance creators describe their creation as such. “A puncher’s chance means that anyone has the potential to succeed, whatever the odds, if he or she works for it. Being the underdog is often the greatest strength. Puncher’s Chance is the bourbon for everyone who believes and lives that credo.” Puncher’s Chance is bottled at 45% while never feeling hot with alcohol being extremely lush.

Puncher’s Chance Kentucky Straight Bourbon — $34.99, See the Featured Review

Rootstock

Rootstock is a craft cider maker in New York, in fact they are the first, post-prohibition farmstead cidery in the Rochester region. You can’t make a great Apple Brandy without first making a great cider. Their orchards span the rolling hills of Wayne County, New York — the largest apple producing county in the USA. Rootstock produces a range of award-winning ciders. Additionally, they have created an innovative portfolio of spirits: Vodka, Applejack, and fruit Brandies (plum, pear, cherry, and of course apple). Rootstock is a true craft producer who grows the fruit, presses and ferments, and in the case of the their spirits they distill them in their American-made stills. We at BevX are new to these great products and we are instant fans.

Rootstock Applejack 5 Years Old Apple Brandy — $55, See the Featured Review

Rootstock Apple Country Tree Vodka — $26, See the Featured Review