Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
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herbal palates. An ideal example is Hum Botanical Liqueur. Created by celebrated mixologists Adam Seger of Chicago and Joel McCanta of London, the garnet-hued liqueur is made on a base of organic rums and flavored with ginger, green cardamom, kaffir lime and fair trade hibiscus. Hum, 70- proof, has a balanced, thoroughly engaging character with a spicy, savory and sweet palate and a touch of bitterness on the finish. Another product new to the U.S. with an herbal palate is Becherovka Herbal Liqueur, a spirit well-known in the Czech Republic. It was originally created in 1807 by blending more than 20 herbs and spices with oils, alcohol and mineral-rich water. The 76- proof, golden amber liqueur is seen as an alternative to existing bitters. The Nolet family—makers of all-world Ketel One Vodka—has been tinkering on the recipe for Harlem Kruiden Liqueur for 35 years. The black, highly aromatic liqueur features a blend of fruit, herbs, spice and a modicum of man- darin. It has a lightweight body and lavish bouquet of fresh citrus, sarsaparilla and mocha with warm earthy notes. The bitter herbal components perform in balance with its sweet and savory characteristics. Dimmi Liquore di Milano is an ultra- suave liqueur from Milan made on a base of organic winter wheat spirits and a small amount of grappa di Nebbiolo. The spirits are infused with a century old family recipe of herbs and fruit, including assenzio gen- tile, anise, vanilla, rhubarb, ginseng and bit- ter orange. A second floral infusion of deli- cate peach and apricot blossoms adds a delightful aro- matic component to the liqueur. Beet sugar is used for body and a touch of sweetness. The crystal clear liqueur has a marvelous herbal palate and a long, savory finish. Another Italian liqueur new to the American market is Lemon Soprano, a creamy, citrusy gem best described as a drinkable lemon gelato. It has a cream base, a generous bouquet and a refresh- ing, slightly tart, slightly sweet finish. The liqueur is a dessert in a glass. Introduced in just this year, John DeKuyper O3 Premium Orange is a vibrant, 80-proof liqueur made entirely from Brazilian Pera oranges with no arti- ficial flavors or high fructose corn syrup. It has a silky body, a wafting citrus bouquet and a well-balanced zesty palate. Handcrafted Thatcher’s Organic Artisan Liqueurs are made in Temperance, Michigan from all natural, USDA certified organic ingredients. They’re crafted in small batches from fruit and vegetables grown with- out the interference of chemicals or modern science. Thatcher’s sophisticated line of liqueurs include Cucumber, Elderflower, Yumberry, Blood Orange, Apple Spice Ginger, Pomegranate, Tres Chili, Dark Chocolate, Chipotle and Blueberry. They’re attractively packaged in lightweight clear glass bottles and feature labels made from recycled materials. Each expression retails for less than $25. Travis Hasse’s Original Apple Pie Liqueur is also made Temperance, MI, using several varieties of apples, cinnamon, baking spices and premium neutral spirits distilled from locally sourced grain. The liqueur is bottled unfiltered and at a reason- able 40-proof. The liqueur has the golden color of honey and the look of freshly pressed cider. It’s generously aromatic and smells like an apple pie right out of the oven. Sampled neat the liqueur is moderately tangy and sweet with the long-lasting flavors of baked apples, cinnamon and nutmeg. Also brand also includes Travis Hasse’s Original Cherry Pie Liqueur. Brainchild of master blender Thomas Maas, RumChata is crafted with a base of five-times distilled premi- um rum imported from the Caribbean and the same all natural products used to make traditional horchata, namely real dairy cream, rice, vanilla and cinnamon. The ingredients are homogenized to ensure they don’t separate and the flavors are fully integrated. The 27.5 proof liqueur has the look of horchata, a medium-weight body and a delicately scented bouquet. In 2009, the Fair Trade Spirits Company launched FAIR, a line of ultra-premium liqueurs and spirits made in Cognac, France exclusive- ly from fair trade certified ingredi- ents. For example, certified organ- ic FAIR Café Liqueurs is produced using fair trade high altitude coffee beans grown in the mountains of Huatusco, Mexico. The fair trade cane sugar is grown and harvested by a cooperative of 300 indepen- Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • July/August 2011 • 29