Bottles of Don Julio 70 Añejo Claro at the Tequila Don Julio Distillery, La Primavera. Tequila Don Julio still hand-fills its bottles. 

Clear Vision

THE WORLD’S FIRST AÑEJO
CLARO TEQUILA, DON JULIO 70 IS A TRUE CATEGORY INNOVATION

In this day and age, it would be redundant to mention that tequila is no longer relegated to shots, slugged down with a sour face and some salt. As an industry, we are well past that perception for this category; fine tequilas are the norm, not the exception.

As tequila remains vodka’s biggest threat in terms of sales, it’s also a category that’s finding its own unique pace, as well as some well-executed innovations in terms of distilling—all well-received thanks to legions of devoted bartenders and consumers. Don Julio is one such brand, not only forging a new path as a luxury brand, but bringing tequila fans new, exciting, truly innovative endeavors to savor. (read more)

Man of the Vines

UNDER HEAD VITICULTURALIST AND OPERATIONS MANAGER EDGARDO DEL PÓPOLO, DOÑA PAULA EXPLORES ARGENTINA’S DIVERSE TERROIR

Edgardo Del Pópolo grew up among the vines. His family was in the grape-growing business in Argentina’s wine-rich Mendoza province, and it was only natural that he should go on to study enology and agronomy at Mendoza’s Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, specializing in viticulture. Over the years, his reputation has grown in steady measure with his knowledge and experience, and he is now considered one of Argentina’s leading viticultural consultants. Simply put, no one knows Argentina’s terroir as well as Del Pópolo. (read more)

Doña Paula’s Edgardo del Pópolo.

New Kentucky Home

HISTORIC MICHTER’S IS MOVING TO A NEW DISTILLERY IN LOUISVILLE

Michter’s is a name of whiskey legend. The whiskey brand’s heritage dates back to 1753, when Swiss Mennonite farmers distilled rye whiskey in Pennsylvania. George Washington famously purchased this whiskey for his troops wintering at Valley Forge. After the Whiskey Rebellion in the late 1700s, most whiskey producers moved to Kentucky. But not the ancestors of Michter’s.

Although its Pennsylvania distillery went defunct in the 1980s, Michter’s labels continued to be produced. Rare bottles can often be found on eBay for anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. Since the early 2000s, Michter’s has been produced at a confidential Kentucky distillery. But the brand recently announced a new $7.8 million distillery located at the historic Fort Nelson Building in downtown Louisville. The site is across the street from the famous Louisville Slugger Museum. (read more)

Pisco’s One-Two Punch

BRIDGET ALBERT HEADS TO NOLA FOR A TASTE OF THIS SOUTH AMERICAN SPIRIT IN COCKTAILS AND CUISINE AT IRIS

Pisco is a lively spirit and is an inspiration for fresh cocktails. There are several quality piscos available for mixologists to explore, including Barsol, ORO, Macchu Pisco, Pisco Portón and Encanto. My friend Duggan McDonnell, creator and owner of Encanto Pisco, says, “As a bartender who specializes in Latin Spirits, I’ve long known the Pisco Sour to be Latin America’s most elegant cocktail.”

I have to agree. Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Peru with Diego de Mola, President of Barsol, and a group of talented mixologists. There I learned that Pisco embodies the tradition and passion of its people in a glass. (read more)

Chef Ian Schnoebelen and Mixologist Sharon Floyd outside restaurant Iris in New Orleans.

Market-Fresh Mixology

AS EASY AS UNO, DOS, TRES

Walking into a bar that’s smaller than your first studio apartment is a gamble: You’re either in for a treat, or your shoes will make that awful stuck-to-dried-beer noise on the way out. But as soon as you open the door to the Roosevelt Hotel’s Library Bar, you know: This. Will. Be. Awesome.

It’s not just the chic décor or exclusive, high-end backbar—it’s the waft of fragrant, complex aromas stemming from the veritable buffet of fresh produce, herbs and ingredients spread across the bar welcoming you as you walk in the door.
“This is clearly unlike any other bar in Los Angeles,” states David Ravandi, founder of 123 Certified Organic Tequila, a recently-released quaff that’s been inspiring mixologists to match the quality of this spirit to the quality of other ingredients in their upscale cocktails. (read more)

Bigger Is Better!

FUNKIN INTRODUCES THE NEW ONE-LITER MIXER RANGE

Funkin has established itself as a premium producer of fruit purées and mixers. The fresh fruit purées are used across the country by top accounts and bartenders for creating fresh, creative cocktails. The all-natural mixers are available on airlines, including Virgin America and Frontier, as well as at major retailers such as BevMo!, allowing consumers to make a delicious cocktail in ten seconds.

Now, Funkin is offering the mixers in one-liter Tetra Paks, allowing premium Funkin quality at mainstream pricing. One package can make up to ten cocktails at approximately 17 cents per ounce.Conveniently packaged and shelf-stable, Funkin again provides a reliable and consistent product. (read more)