Well, here it is... Another year ending. To help usher in the New Year, we
thought it would be fun to show you some products that are new on the scene.
Also, if you want more info on these products there will be expanded reviews
and/or featured cocktails at hitimewine.net.
The scent of soft juniper is held with confectioner's sugar, sapodilla plum
and gardenias. Flavors of smooth and easy botanicals stay active amidst an
interesting ‘fruitiness’ that shows honeysuckle nectar, elderberry and ripe
crab apples, then adds powered sugar and delicate floral complexity. The
finish is tactile with sleek minerals, elderberry and a peppery spice fade;
overall, a beautiful and delicious gin.
Zephyr (short for Zephyrus) is one the Greek wind gods (the Anemoi). Each of
the wind gods blew from one direction, and were related to different
seasons, and displayed different qualities. Zephyr was the Anemoi of the
west wind, conveyer of the gentle spring and early summer breezes. So in
honor of Zephyr I offer a few cocktails!
On the nose is soft clean leather, stewed figs, caramelized marmalade, fresh
cut dark wood and alfalfa. The palate is an evolved and evolving mouth-feel
filled with salt, dry roasted grains (buckwheat, barley and flax meal),
white pepper, ginger, cumin and baking chocolate. The finish is lengthy and
active showing dried heather, salt, chestnuts and indiscriminate spice.
A wonderful offering from the only distillery on the Isle of Mull, here are
the Official Tasting Notes from the web: Nose: A lovely sherried nose
with notes of figs, orange marmalade, hints of leather and a touch of smoke.
Palate: Medium to full bodied. Rich sherry fruit cake, milk
chocolate, creamy toffee, light oak, a hint of white pepper creating a
lovely spicy tang. Finish: Softly spicy, tingling with a nutty note,
a hint of salt, lingering then gently fades.
Aromas of dark chocolate dust, demerara sugar and perfectly cooked pie crust
invite you to taste. The mouth-feel is syrupy with cocoa, coffee, brown
sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon; it is full and delightful. The drier finish
shows clean leather, tobacco and roasted nuts that articulate a svelte,
emphatic conclusion to an exhilarating kinetic journey of exquisite and
surprising flavors.
El Fogonero leads with soft vanilla, baked agave, clean damp earth and fresh
cut white oak, which is a really nice way to start. The flavors that show
through are rich, delicate agave honey, intricate baking spices and full
elegant dark oak tones. These tastes are carried in a pillowed, medium
weight mouth-feel that moves slowly to a lean clean finish that includes
flan, toasted nuts and light vanilla.
This is definite proof that we are always on the lookout for excellent deals
on wonderful products! Get this Tequila, it is fantastic, copiously tasty
and a real nice price.
Aromas on the nose reveal baked agave and minerals that is both fleshy and
earthy while bold and pungent. The taste is classic citrus pith, cardamom,
white pepper and more minerals with a butter/oil back note. The mouth-feel
is big, elegant and classy. It is rich and balanced-- the finish is clean,
full and brisk with the slightest touch of sweet agave and bold spices.
This traditional, artisan, small batch tequila is from one of the oldest,
royal families of tequila; it is made in one of the most erstwhile
distillery's in tequila, utilizing the 'old' methods: slow roasting the
agave, stone mill crush and a pot still! Want to taste history... here is an
opportunity knocking at your door.
Clean toasted grains with honey, citrus and smoke lead the tempting scents.
The copious flavors of orange, lemon and pear, all buttressed up with sea
salt and gilded with gentle peat smoke, make for a splendid range of tastes
that are sweetish, rich and miraculously harmonized in a medium body. The
finish tarries to show the influence of the Montilla Fino Sherry cask as the
other flavors fade.
The Oban 15 year D.M. (Double Matured) is a fantastic iteration of a
wonderful malt, have a dram and you'll understand.
The aromas lead with lychee nut, gun-powder green tea and citrus flowers
that build to a tantalizing allure to drink. The palate entry is debonair
and beguiling; silky and redolent, there are soft fruits (red pear, lychee,
papaya) and green tea herbaceous earth tones carried with a vibrant tinge of
Viognier or Verduzzo wine that amplify the lingering, luscious tastiness of
this excellent aperitif.
Jenni, from Charbay, was down at the store for a visit and
brought the two new 'Ready-to-Drink' offerings from Charbay (along with all
of their other fantastic products!!) and doggone it they both were
delicious! So after a little internal struggle I decided to write up the
Green Tea Aperitif, a tough decision, but we only have so much room in the
Newsletter, and by the grace of Tobin (Sharp , the editor) I push it every
month. So here is some more info on the two of them:
The Charbay Green Tea Aperitif starts with
High Quality Green Tea infused into an excellent dry white wine, until the
tea nuances are perfectly extracted, then fresh papaya, and lemon juices are
added to balance all of the flavors-sugars-acidity into harmony, and finally
Charbay fortifies there aperitif with some of their gorgeous eau de vie
bringing up to a healthy 21% alcohol. This wonderful by itself, in a Collins
glass with ice with a mint sprig for a garnish; shaken and serve up in a
cocktail glass with a lemon twist or lychee nut; in a pint glass half filled
with lemonade... easy and versatile. Also this works exceptionally well in a
cocktail, here are a couple:
On the nose this leads with juniper, orange succade and vanilla cream- as if
you used an orange 50-50 bar for your gin rocks. The soft palate approach
shows more of these influences in a medium-bodied mouth-feel with orange
custard, spice, and delicate juniper-- in that order. New Amsterdam finishes
with creamy fruit, and resolves into Madagascar pepper with a hints of lemon
zest-- Delectable!!
What an excellent go to gin, silky soft, and slightly sweet-- an ice cube
and a glass, or a versatile cocktail base. . .
Are you in the mood to experiment? Monterey Rye is a tasty, full-bodied rye
spirit made in the old style; and it's un-aged-- the way they used to drink
it during prohibition. The fun part is the charred oak stave that you can
drop into your bottle and watch as it ‘ages’; You can see for yourself what
influence wood imparts to a spirit that is a little rough around the edges.
Old Forester Repeal Bourbon is a new, one-time, limited-release that
celebrates the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. Lovely vanilla
on the nose carries all the way through to the finish. On the palate
traditional bourbon tones lead with orange zest, allspice and clove; this a
great whiskey, and it comes in a mock 1933 bottle with a replica label from
that era so it is both tasty and fun.
What a perfect way to celebrate the end of prohibition-- with
a delicious whiskey! Old Forester 100 has been an household favorite to me
for quite some time. The Old Forester Birthday Bourbon release every year is
ALWAYS something to look forward to. This Old Forester Repeal Bourbon is
right up there; its quality is astonishing, its provenance in uncontested,
its history is unmarred-- it is the perfect way to say “Good Riddance
Prohibition!”.
December 5 th Repeal Day!
Exquisite, delicate and luxurious aromas of perfectly clean, well-baked
agave fill the nose-- so gorgeous-- it is like the agave is still alive and
a fresh rain just washed it. On the palate it is bright, fresh and clean,
with grapefruit zest, light soft spice, straw and coriander that are
wonderfully good. The finish is long and classy, showing agave, delicate
spice and virgin American oak--an amazing new tequila!
Goodness what a lovely, lovely tequila. Each and every sip reveal a new and
equally subtle/sublime characteristic. This is a classic waiting to be
discovered, savored and enjoyed.
Wonderfully fruit-intense Muscat scents are clean and pleasant in this
‘grappa-styled’ brandy; leading with aromas of grape, vanilla, greengage
plum, very ripe pear, green fig and a delicate floral backdrop. The flavors
show Muscat must, yellow plum, peach and baked pear. The mouth-feel is full
and luxurious, balanced, sweet and round. The finish persists with fruit and
wine tones to a fresh lingering finale.
This is a style of spirit that I feel is unfairly overlooked
as a cocktail component. The complex floral tones and intricate fruit
nuances just beg to be shown off in an excellent beverage. So here are a few
to play with. .
Aromatic Mediterranean lavender, raffia and juniper lead the olfactory
charge. On the palate these tones evolve to include an herbal bounty with an
incredibly active mouth-feel that is nicely full bodied; the juniper shares
center stage with citrus as each botanical reveals itself in turn to enhance
the overall balance. The finish lingers in a complicated, recherché and
deeply enjoyable manner.
I love the concepts that are employed by this company: Organic: TRU spirits
are certified organic, field to bottle. The flavors are real infusions (infused by the owners,
employees and friends) of whole, organic ingredients-- not extracts. Ecological: The packaging is light and sustainable —
everything is recycled, recyclable or biodegradable. Renewable: They
plant a tree for every bottle sold to replenish forests...and paper stocks.
There are so many simple ways to improve how we handle our environment, how
about a drink made with scrumptious gin???
From all of us here at Hi-Time we hope that you have a safe, memorable and
wonderful holiday season!
Previously
Featured...
Let's start out by saying thank you for the
wonderful turn-out to the Whisk(e)y tasting; it was a great success, and we
couldn’t have done it without you. This month things are cooling down a bit,
and the holidays are approaching so it seemed to be a perfect time to look
at a few different kinds of brandy, to help wrap up a long day, warm up a
cool evening, or slip into a more peaceful frame of mind.
CERBOIS BAS ARMAGNAC X.O. [#162907]
SALE PRICE $69.99 Regularly
$77.99 The first known distillation of Armagnac was in 1411; there is no secret to
making it, however there is great art. Cerbois is a tremendous example of
the great art of Armagnac. Delicate spices emerge on the nose, along with
crushed grapes dusted with demerera sugar, or ripe dates. The taste is very
clean with a vibrant mouth-feel that include flavors ranging from grape
must, fig, and greengage plum, to white pepper, clove, or cinnamon that
vivaciously alternate between fruit and spice. The finish slows the activity
down; all of the stars are still there, but they are lumbering off center
stage – smoothly, patiently, deliberately-- leaving warmth and a palate
prepared for more.
COEUR DE LION
SELECTION [#106260]
SALE PRICE $29.99 Regularly
$35.99
Selection is different from all of the other Coeur de Lion Calvados; it is
the only one produced in the heart of Domfrontais. The flavors of
Domfrontais Calavados are deeply influenced by utilizing a high proportion
of pears (30% Minimum) in the cider which is then distilled into eau de vie.
As soon as you pull the cork the scent of apples, stewed in cider, fortified
with chunks of dried pear begin to fill the room. The taste is dominated by
fruit, soda bread with stewed apples (baked in vigorous spice), pear tarts
and peaches flambé which all build to a piquant, tangy lounging finish that
is chock full of racy spice. This would be a superb aperitif or an excellent
‘trou normand’ (‘Norman break’-- a glass of calvados between meal courses to
refresh you!).
DARON FINE CALVADOS $31.99 [#162910]
Daron Fine Calvados is Pays d’Auge-- to be labeled as such verifies that it
has fulfilled the most extensive quality control regulations for AOC
(Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) calvados. This Daron opens with smells
that are delectable: Gravenstein apples, stewed apples, poached pears w/
honey, soft apple blossoms and full ripe fruitiness. The fruit flavors are
much more subdued on the palate, giving way to salted yellow apple, whiskey
tones and bitter apple seeds carried in a smooth, dry mouth-feel. The finish
comes with an ardent burst of spice that saunters off with a clean lingering
warmth. This is a superb Calvados to use as an aperitif, in an adult
beverage or as that famous ‘secret’ recipe ingredient.
LECOMPTE CALVADOS ORIGINEL $28.99
[#166731]
Lecompte Calvados Originel is also Pays d’Auge; it leads with refined and
arrant fragrances of tree ripe yellow apples, firm green pears, peach, and
white grapes baking together in honey and spice. A cushy front palate
displays the medium body with flavors of apples, spiced with fennel, baked
in crisp filo dough that was basted with honey-butter and dusted with
cinnamon. The finish shows a balance of fruit that reveals a clear oak
influence (caramel, butterscotch) and a clean, dry copious amount of
minerals that lag, and slowly fade to a warming remnant of lingering apple.
This is a delightful Calvados that would be brilliant as an aperitif, or
again, as as a ‘trou Normand’ and even in an adult beverage.
TESSERON X.O.
LOT 90 [#166640]
SALE PRICE $56.99 Regularly
$73.99
Tesseron has been building quite a following and deservedly so. Their
cognacs are amazing. Lot 90, called ‘Selection’, is an X.O. (all Tesseron’s
are X.O.); it was blended to display a smooth, inviting amalgam of vigour
and complexity that is a perfect introduction to this wonderful family of
cognacs. The nose leads with quince and vanilla, fresh sliced pear, dates,
and stewed prunes that evolve to basil, or apple mint in a dried fruit and
nuts trail mix (no salt!). The flavor shows hints of toasted almond,
bittersweet chocolate dust, espresso and treacle, while holding the dark
fruits from the initial aromas present in a coalescent display of quality.
The finish is long, musing and reminiscent of a svelte fruitcake with
delicate spice woven in.
DELAMAIN PALE & DRY X.O. [#108300]
SALE PRICE $85.99
Regularly $110.00
Pale & Dry bursts from the bottle with purpose, subdued power and endless
finesse. The nose flushes a delicate tale of impressive age and the
meticulous handling of fruit; showing soft floral tones, buttressed by clean
wood, and recherché vanilla. The beauty and invitation of the nose is
potently established on the palate with a mystifying clarity, while
simultaneously demonstrating dulcet baking spices that undulate sumptuously,
with no prevarication, building to a mellow toothsome roundness. The finish
is harmonious, complex and distinctive, showing again the many flavors
previously displayed –as if they were dawdling, on a slow marching parade--
lingering. This is a very nice cognac.
GRAN DUQUE D’ALBA [#112210]
SALE PRICE $38.99 Regularly
$49.99
Gran Duque De Alba is a graceful and magnificent example of Brandy de Jerez.
This fabulously balanced 10 year old brandy, is aged in American oak casks
that previously held Oloroso Sherry in a closely monitored Solera style. The
aromas of honeyed wood, subtle spices, plum and prune will render you
contemplative while invoking you to imbibe. The mouth-feel is a relaxed
suave texture with complimentary flavors that hint at brazil nuts, almond
milk and ripe fruit that linger to give a foreground for elusive nuances of
basil, and soft rosemary drenched in honey. All of these niceties merge
homogeneously and patiently disperse into a smooth finish indicative of a
truly great brandy.
Well, we
are approaching another fantastic tasting opportunity brought to you by your
friends here at Hi-Time Wine Cellars. You are cordially invited to join us
for a Whisk(e)y tasting-- Scotch v. American-- that will feature over 100
different expressions to try, delicious appetizers to feed the hunger and
special discount pricing on every product; all of this for only $50.00 per
person. Reservations are required and this will happen at The Costa Mesa
Holiday Inn, on Saturday, October 25th, 4PM to 8PM. To get
everybody ready, we decided to showcase a few spirits from each category.
But first, a couple of special drams we're pretty excited about...
AsomBroso Carroll Shelby Commemorative Edition Tequila $179.99 [#167093]
Our good friends at AsomBroso continue to expand and innovate in the world
of Tequila-- their latest bottling is a good example of that: quality meets
substance meets style... Join Team Shelby and AsomBroso Tequila in
celebration of Carroll's 85th Birthday and to assist the Carroll Shelby
Children's Foundation.
-Specially created to celebrate Carroll Shelby's 85th Birthday
-Authorized by Carroll and Team Shelby
-Part of the Proceeds to benefit the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation
-Special Shelby Blue Bottle adorned with dual white racing stripes paying
homage to Shelby cars - past to present
-Award-winning, critically acclaimed 100% Blue Agave Silver Tequila
-Multiple distillations and filtrations for smoothness, taste and
consistency
-750ml Collectible Decanter
INCLUDED WITH PURCHASE: Carroll Shelby "The Life of a Legend" Lithograph!
-A Celebration of the Life of Carroll Shelby!
-Original painting by famed Shelby Artist George Bartell to commemorate
Carroll's life in the fast lane: from racer, to car constructor to
entrepreneur and finally to Children's Heart Fund Philanthropist.
-Limited Edition Lithograph.
-Measures approximately: 35" x 25"
-Museum-quality, printed Four Color on 110lb acid-free, Starwhite Vicksburg
Tiara Vellum.
Crystal Head
Vodka $44.99 [#167173]
This "Pure Spirit", vodka triple filtered through polished crystals known as
Herkimer diamonds, free of additives, is exquisite any time of the year but
perhaps ideal for this month.
Brought to us by Dan Aykroyd, known for his fascination with the
invisible world, Crystal Head Vodka ties in with the story of the 13 Crystal
Heads that have been unearthed at various times on our planet... from the
Yucatan to Tibet. The Heads are believed to emit positive energy, good will
and prosperity.
Perfect as a lone shot, chilled or served in signature cocktails.
BERNHEIM WHISKEY $41.99 [#165869]
Beautifully packaged, Bernheim Original holds a unique spot in the world of
Whiskey; it is the only commercially available Kentucky Straight Wheat
Whiskey. This spirit has subtle aromas of oat, honey and wheat with a
distinct undercurrent of barley malt syrup. When allowed to aerate, the
barley malt syrup comes more to the forefront and reveals delicate baking
spices with brown bread back notes. On the palate the activity is brisk and
quick: leading with a brief soft display of tropical fruit, the flavor
profile abruptly bursts into tight, sharp, crisp grain tones washed in dry
oak nuance, with implications toward green tea or a very light oolong,
dusted with cinnamon. Crossing into the back palate we find a sour, spicy
vibrancy that spreads across the theatre of taste to leave hints of toasty
oak, tea tannins, and bright ephemeral warmth. Try this neat first; with an
ice chip or two this Whiskey really releases its loveliness. This a great
way to change it up from your standard Bourbons, and it is a fun way to
explore another style of authentic American whiskey.
HIGHLAND PARK 15YR SINGLE CASK [#166223]
SALE PRICE $69.99 Regularly $99.99
Occasionally we here at Hi-Time get an opportunity to offer a completely
unique bottling, something precious, and rare… this Whisky is such an
offering. Only 558 bottles of this wonderful gem have ever existed (and many
of them are now gone). Highland Park is regarded as one of the finest
Scotches available; a single cask is deemed to be of such consummate quality
that it can stand alone and represent the high standards of Highland Park,
and of the casks presented to us this one stood out—for many reasons. Stewed
tree fruits (plum, plantain and quince) with demerara sugar lead on the nose
with a back note of roasted hazelnuts. These scents give way and merge into
rich, lightly peaty, malt tones drenched in clover honey, that evolve
further into nougat, toasty marzipan or toffee. These wheedlings come to a
luxurious close that evanesces with dried fruit and fine spices into a
delicate structure. This is cask strength and non-chill filtered, so a
little water will make this resplendent malt shine.
ELIJAH CRAIG 12YR $20.99 [#109240]
Elijah Craig 12-year-old carries the name of the Rev. Elijah Craig, the
minister widely reputed to be the “Father of Bourbon.” Whether he is or not
is irrelevant when considering this fine Whiskey, but it nice that it was
named after a historical champion of Bourbon, and it is fun to call it “The
Rev”. The nose reminds me of a rum-soaked spice cake-- there are a myriad of
spice nuances, molasses, vanilla and honey. To taste, rich dark wood flavors
start out, washed in corn sweetness, which cascades into warming sweet oak
tones, laden with dry rye spices, and caramel. The body is full and the
mouth-feel is soft, leading towards a dense finish that adds to the other
lingering flavors-- fennel and caraway. Overall it was complex throughout
with excellent surprises; all in all very enjoyable. Do try this neat, but a
splash of cool, clean water will reveal a host of other secrets.
SCAPA 14YR ORKNEY $41.99 [#162017]
Scapa is a wonderful eye opener of an Island Malt, a complete delight to
enjoy. The nose gives you only softness… light-clean-fresh malt, treacle,
heather and a whiff of the sea. The flavors on the palate remind me of
malt-o-meal with honey, involving also vanilla, golden raisins, sea salt and
steeped spices. It is medium-bodied and slightly oily; it is here within the
recherché texture that other subtleties are revealed: sunflower oil, straw,
Brazil nuts and lanolin. No matter how caught up in the mouth-feel you get,
the bright ocean influences and clean elusive spice merge to keep the whisky
vibrant and full of life. The finish is a demonstration of freshness, depth
and fullness showing soft malted barley, honey and delicate oils. Scapa is
simply a treat to relish; neat is definitely the preferred method for this
malt, though I am sure it could handle a couple of ice chips.
FOUR ROSES SMALL BATCH $34.99 [#167075]
Four original and limited Bourbons have been hand selected by Jim Rutledge,
the Master Distiller, at their peak to create an intricately balanced, small
batch Bourbon that fêtes you with harmonious honeyed fruit aromas and rich
savory flavors. Four Roses Small Batch was introduced in 2006 and only
available in Kentucky until recently. The gorgeous nose is filled with
pillowed, elegantly subdued and inviting aromas of banana, over ripe yellow
pear, treacle, taffy, caramel and sweet fresh creamed corn. The palate
follows that lead but introduces softly displayed spices-- hinting at grated
nutmeg, vanilla, dustings of cinnamon, lightly toasted caraway, all
seamlessly integrated with the flavors implied in the nosing and carried to
a graceful lingering fade for a finish emphasizing the vanilla, the sweet
corn and the baking spices. An integrated, gentle toothsome dance all
around.
STRONACHIE 12YR $42.99 [#166796] Stronachie is a lost distillery, one of many that fell to economic
hardship and was closed; by 1930 everything of value had been carted away.
In 2002 the idea to reintroduce the brand came to the original distributors,
Dewar-Rattray. So they acquired a mint condition bottle from 1904 and sought
out a distillery capable of creating and producing a Stronachie-style single
malt. After searching far and wide they found their match, and here it is…
The nose is sweet, replete with malt and fruit, oozing deliberate
enticements to partake. On the palate it leads with dark rich malty tones,
evolves into a dry smokiness that reveals spicy oak complexities; it is
medium-bodied with provocative hints of anise, crostoli and brown bread.
Finishing slow, this dram shows roasted heather, toasted almonds, light
smoke and invigorating warm spices; an excellent find indeed. This is best
neat, or with very little water or ice.
ASOMBROSO
VINTAGE ANEJO TEQUILA $989.99 [#166708] Aged 11 years in French Oak casks, this is
the oldest rested Tequila in the world.
It is, simply, exquisite. We invite
you to read the story about this
incredible Tequila. Ricardo, from AsomBroso:
"The history of this outstanding tequila
is that years ago, Enrique Fonseca Sr.,
a renown agave grower and tequila maker,
sealed a cache of his freshly distilled
tequila into a few small French Oak casks
as an experiment in making a longer-aged
Anejo, mainly for his own enjoyment. Now,
eleven years later, I have convinced his
son and my partner, Enrique Fonseca Jr.,
to let me bottle and distribute some of
this unique family legacy."
While there is no vintage nomenclature for
tequila as regulated by the Mexican CRT,
for all intents and purposes, this Classic
Vintage tequila would be worthy of an
"outstanding" or "great" rating if this
were a wine. This eleven-year-old tequila
is certified by the CRT and its offering
will be the first of its kind outside of a
select "inner circle" in Mexico.
Incredible
Tequila!
Asom Broso, "The World's Most Exclusive Tequila."
Tequila aficionados, bottle collectors, appreciators of fine spirits
everywhere, take note: this is the real deal. Currently
available in 50ml and 750ml bottles, with or without humidor.
Click on Asom Broso (above) to see the full lineup of
these extraordinary Tequilas!
