Gin Up: Cask Aging & Sage Cheese

I like gin, but in the spirits world gin is like that weird little kid who lives down the street from you that no one wants to play with. You know, there’s just something socially…odd about him. Oh sure, everyone loves vodka, whiskey, and tequila but gin needs more friends. So when an oak aged solera gin came my way I was excited to sample it. Hopefully the Citadelle Gin Reserve Solera 2013 might strike your fancy. My fancy has been struck and now I’m much happier. Using a solera method and aged in a combination of American casks, old Cognac casks, and Pineau des Charente casks (a French aperitif), it is softer, holds a slight woodiness and possesses a thicker viscosity. They use over 20 different botanicals as well, creating a multi- layered effect. The nose is clear juniper berry, soft mint and eucalyptus, coriander and dried thyme. There is a slight medicinal note on the back palate, but this is a terrific gin with no burn, and a host of clean, pure flavors. I prefer it neat, but if you choose to mix it will definitely intensify your cocktails. Get yourself a little sage cheese (yes, that’s what I said) and have yourself a little party, because that odd kid down the road now owns the neighborhood. CITADELLE GIN

ORIGIN: Cognac, France

PRICE: $34.99 - 750/ml

ALCOHOL: 44%

BOOZEHOUNDZ SCORE: 91 POINTS

A Square Deal

Square One Organic Vodka is made from certified organic rye. At this point you might be rolling your eyes thinking, “Organic, seriously, who really cares?” Well, I can understand that…to a degree. But assimilate this information into your cranium: anything organic is going to be heaps ahead of non-organic stuff. Does that make it inherently better? No. But to find a product – like vodka – that is better AND organic is smart due to the simple truth that we in America consume far too much crap to begin with. So, always go with a more natural, pure form of something if you can. Square One does this. They also make a Basil, Cucumber and Botanical version of their vodkas. I’m more of a purist so the other versions, (infused with essences) while actually quite nice, aren’t my cup of tea, but they might be yours, and frankly the point of these is for mixed cocktails, not sitting around on your deck looking out to the Channel Islands like I do. I like a sipping vodka, a distilled spirit where I can toss in an ice cube into and enjoy it over time. There’s a clean, slightly sweet note to the vodka which fills the mouth and then quickly the nose, a mild simmering burn which needs to be mitigated (this is why it’s used in cocktails), and in fact spicy Indian food is perfect with this chilled vodka. Yes it’s 4-column distilled, blah, blah, blah. The point is taste and purity of ingredients. Well, here you’ve got both.

$35/750, Alc. 40% (80 proof)

BOOZEHOUNDZ RATING

4 Bonz – Good Dog!