The world of spirits can be confusing. Learning which product you like or even dislike can be annoying, expensive and frustrating.
What is more infuriating is the lack of information about what you are buying. The short blurb on the back of the bottle tells you nothing but good things about what is inside. Do you really think that a producer or his advertising will say anything negative?
Such comments as “made in small copper stills” really means nothing if you have never seen one or read a book about alcohol distillation. Another great one is the number of times it has been distilled. A degree in chemistry would be helpful here but it means little to the average consumer.
The aim of this column is to introduce readers to some of the better products on the market and the best buys for your money.
E & J Gallo VSOP/Peach and E & J Gallo VSOP/Peach Brady ($13)
Leave it to Gallo, a giant in the production of low-cost, quality wines, to do the same for brandy.
Gallo recently entered the flavored-brandy field with the introduction of two varieties. One is a peach that was released a short time ago, followed up with an apple-flavored brandy.
To start, there is no throat burn or alcoholic aroma; what’s there is an overpowering fruit aroma. Gallo’s popular VSOP brandy is combined with apple and peach liqueur to produce these flavor-intensive brandies. There is no need to hire a professional mixologist to create interesting drinks; all that is necessary is the brandy.
Bib and Tucker Bourbon Whiskey ($55)
Have you ever noticed that movie cowboys or detectives in the 1940s and ‘50s would always order bourbon, drink it right down in one gulp and then make an ugly face when finished?
A smooth bourbon that does not burn the throat is a rarity. The Bib and Tucker Bourbon Whiskey is such. This is a bourbon that reveals all of the flavors and beauties that a true champion should present and may even raise this whiskey to the heights only achieved by the best.
Masterson’s 10-Year-Old Straight Rye Whisky ($79)
If you think this rye whiskey was named after William “Bat” Masterson, you’re right. His picture is on the front label. That however, is no reason to buy the product. Labels do not make the product - performance does.
This whisky also passed the nonthroat burning test and prominently displays all of the flavors and aromas a fine rye whiskey should. “Bat” would have been proud of this drink.
Uncle Val’s Peppered Gin ($39)
Let’s begin by saying the “peppered” part of the name does not mean that Uncle Val’s is loaded with black pepper. Rather, there is just enough to add greater flavor depth to this gin.
Gin is made by introducing juniper berries to distilled alcohol and allowing them to soak together until it achieves its distinctive flavor. With Uncle Val’s, there is also red bell peppers and pimentos used in the infusion along with the black pepper. What results is a unique flavor that will add considerably more layers of flavor to a gin drink and will convert a gin and tonic into a warm weather delight.
Nixa resident Bennet Bodenstein is a wine columnist and manages ArticlesOnWine.com. He can be reached at ben@articlesonwine.com.
