From the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Access Live 2024 event I had many opportunities to try new spirits. In this article, and in the next few following it, I will be sharing the vodka, gin, ready-to-drink craft cocktails, tequila, whisky and bourbons I reviewed. This first article is devoted to the vodka and gin.
Vodka
Monkey in Paradise: Clear, clean, aromas that reminded me a little of stones, vanilla and dried apple, while on the palate I noted a very cool, crisp and rich mouthfeel followed by a touch of vanilla and almond with an endless finish. Considering that vodka is a tasteless spirit, and that these tasting notes are clearly subjective, my “memories” of aromas and flavors may be different from yours. WSWA 2024 awarded this a silver medal. I would give it a gold. After sampling my husband chose to make his evening’s Martini with it. From their website, “We created the World’s Highest Rated Vodka, Unanimous DOUBLE GOLD Winner of THREE World Spirits Competitions. Crafted GLUTEN FREE, CARB FREE, SUGAR FREE, SULFATE FREE from non GMO corn, we distill and carbon filter our paradise 7X. ULTRA REFINED, PARADISE PURE, smooth clean finish.” @MonkeyInParadise
https://monkeyinparadise.vodka/
Upstate vodka: Distilled from 100% New York apples, I knew what to expect as I was told that they did want the fruit to show. For me, I got a sweet cream, peppermint, toast…but not a bushel full of apples. Then in the mouth I got a creamy taste that did remind me of apple pie a la mode, but not in any way overwhelming, with a little bit of sweetness to it. A good sipper I enjoyed on the rocks, and it would be smooth in a cocktail. Certified gluten free, 70-80 apples are distilled for each bottle. @UpstateVodka https://www.drinksauvage.com/
Gin
Tall Cotton Gin from Delta Dirt Distillery was next to try from WSWA. The story of the family and all that they have achieved was shared during the Brand Battle, and I was excited to try their gin. And, truth be told, gin is my spirit of choice – after whisky of course! So, getting down to it, the gin was juniper forward like a London Dry, but not overwhelming. After the juniper I noted florals and other dried botanicals, then orange and lemon zest. Once I took a sip, I thought of how balanced it was, again not having the juniper hitting me in the face, the same citrus fruits and botanicals, and I enjoyed how long the finish was. Nicely done. According to their Instagram Delta Dirt Distillery is: Family-Owned. Award-Winning Premium Spirits. America’s Only Black-Owned Farm-To-Bottle Distillery @DeltaDirtDistillery
https://www.deltadirtdistillery.com/
Sassenach Gin, $40, got a Double Gold from WSWA 2024. It also benefitted by having Scottish actor Sam Heughen as its whisky blender. One photo of me with his full-sized poster, alongside his Sassenach gin and whisky, put many hearts a flutter on my social media. Anxious to see how his gin tasted I dove right in. Lots of juniper jumped out at me, but in a good way, followed by black licorice, menthol, and dried fruits, maybe even dried flowers. As I like to say, there’s a lot going on in this glass! So, now diving in for a taste, I was able to discern a delicate balance between the juniper and other botanicals and fruit. On the finish, the juniper stands at attention, again, not in a bad way. Felt this one was crying out for a G and T or a really nice Martini. I enjoyed my sample as-is, in all its purity, like imagining Heughen wearing a kilt with no undergarments. Ah… @SassenachSpirits
Peddler’s Gin had two expressions at WSWA, one was a salted plum (tasted sweet) and the second, the one I chose to review, their non-fruit flavor “Shanghai Gin”. Right off the bat I detected dried fruit, this was NOT a London Dry. Very unique. I noted plum, cherry, black fruit, sweet flowers, and musk. So interesting. When I tasted it – wow – it had that bite that all gins have, from the botanicals and wormwood, but also a lot of fruit and spices. This would be so nice in a G and T with a slice of fruit. The gin is made in China, “the world’s first from Shanghai”, and I had to wonder what they may have distilled it from. A look to the internet and I learned, “Multiple awards from at the San Fran World Spirits Awards and CWSA. A fusion of eleven rare botanicals. Notes of Buddha’s hand, Sichuan pepper and lotus combine with juniper and other organic botanicals for a distinctive yet perfectly blended gin.” @PeddlersGin
Many of the WSWA bottles were also award winners, see the full report here: https://accesslive.wswa.org/wine-spirits-tasting-competitions
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
