John DeKuyper & Sons – Crave

If you are looking for that perfect gift for the holidays or just want to create an exceptional party for your guests, Beam Inc. is launching John DeKuyper & Sons™ Crave Chocolate Liqueurs featuring three tempting flavors – Chocolate Cherry, Chocolate Mint and Chocolate Chili.

With a suggested retail price of $17.99 per 750 mL bottle, this premium line of chocolate liqueurs offers a delectable and enjoyable experience just in time for the upcoming fall and holiday season.

DeKuyper is the #1-selling line of domestic cordials showcasing nearly 60 mixable and versatile flavors of cordials, liqueurs, crèmes, brandies and schnapps.  DeKuyper was founded in Holland in 1695 by Johannes DeKuyper & Son and for more than 300 years has been the brand to turn to for refreshing and unique liqueurs.

The Fuzzy Navel was inspired and created by DeKuyper® Peachtree® Schnapps in the mid-80’s and  DeKuyper® Pucker® Sour Apple Schnapps inspired the creation of the Appletini in the mid-90’s.

JDK & Sons™ Crave balances chocolate with natural flavors fulfilling your desire for the enchanting taste of chocolate and pairing it with three distinct flavors to create a mouthwatering liquer.

• Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur delivers a smooth, rich tasting experience similar to that of the classic cherry cordial. The taste of sweet cherries takes center stage and is complimented by hints of cocoa. It leaves a sweet finish on the palate with notes of fruit, vanilla and bittersweet chocolate.
• Crave Chocolate Mint Liqueur is ideal for peppermint lovers. The experience begins with the tastes of sweet chocolate and vanilla, which gradually introduces peppermint to the palate and finishes with an intriguing and pleasant cooling effect.
• Crave Chocolate Chili Liqueur offers a delicious and surprising twist with its hint of heat. The sweet flavor of milk chocolate, which is enhanced with notes of vanilla and caramel, slowly gives way to the tingly warmth of chili peppers and offers the perfect balance of sweetness with a subtle kick.

“Launching just in time for the holiday entertaining season, JDK & Sons™ Crave Chocolate Liqueurs provide chocolate lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike with a new way to delight their senses during one of the most indulgent times of the year,” said Gary Ross, Director of Cordials and Rums for Beam Inc. “Whether treating yourself to a decadent cocktail or looking to create a memorable experience at your next holiday party, each distinctive flavor delivers the rich taste of chocolate paired with a unique flavor for an enticing way to satisfy your cravings.”

JDK & Sons™ Crave is by the same token superb when served over ice or as a distinct addition to any cocktail.  Several cocktail recipes are listed below.  Additional recipes and information can be found at http://www.dekuyperusa.com/crave.

Crave Cherry Macaroon Martini

1 part JDK & Sons™ Crave Chocolate Cherry Liqueur

1 part Cruzan® Coconut Rum

Splash of Soda

Method: Shake all ingredients (except soda) with ice. Strain into a martini glass and top with a splash of soda. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry.

Crave Luscious Mint Russian

1 part JDK & Sons™ Crave Chocolate Mint Liqueur

1 part EFFEN® Vodka

Splash of Milk

Method: Build ingredients over ice in an old fashioned glass. Add a splash of milk to make it even more luscious.

Crave Grown-Up Chili Hot Chocolate

2-3 parts JDK & Sons™ Crave Chocolate Chili Liqueur

Hot Chocolate

Method: Pour Liqueur in a warmed coffee mug and add hot chocolate to taste.  Top with whipped cream.

Beam is proud to be one of the world’s leading first-rate spirits companies, and focuses on delivering high-class performance with its matchless combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth.

To learn more about all their products by visiting: www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com

El Cartel

El Cartel Tequila has quickly gained recognition as a major player in the very competitive liquor industry.

With an incredible taste, El Cartel Tequila has captured the attention of millions of tequila lovers, including celebrity sponsors such as Grammy award winner Daddy Yankee, and music juggernaut Jermaine Dupri.

El Cartel Tequila is a new line of luxury tequila that is quite unique. One of the bottles from their line of tequila features real 23k edible gold flakes!

Other brands that have offered that feature have fallen short because their gold sinks and needs constant shaking to keep the glittering effect. El Cartel has a patent and ownership over their own unique suspension matrix of gold. It cleverly features extraordinary tequila that has become the ultimate luxury spirit.

The creation of the next generation of luxury tequila was successfully accomplished by El Cartel founder Mark Scialdone.

There is no doubting the popularity of El Cartel Tequila. It’s a hit in clubs and bars across the U.S. and El Cartel has become favorites to such industry icons such as Samuel L. Jackson, LMFAO, Eddie Griffin, Jon Cryer, Lin Shaye, Xzibit, and Sean Kingston.

El Cartel has already made its Hollywood big screen appearance in the upcoming move MUCHO DINERO, which stars Danny Trejo, Eddie Griffin, and Casper Van Dien.

El Cartel has a major marketing effort underway with an aggressive goal of expanding into every club, bar, and hotel in the U.S. Watch for it soon as it won’t take long before this exciting new tequila brand will be on everyone’s mind.

Gordon’s Gin

The makers of Britain’s favorite gin, Gordon’s®, has partnered with world famous British design brand Conran, to create a show-stopping collection of Limited Edition bottles.

The ‘Ten Green Bottles’ limited edition collection was recently launched and is a result of an exclusive partnership with iconic British designer Terence Conran.

The Gordon’s gin collection is limited to only 100 bottles. Each one is hand sewn in the UK with care and attention. Each bottle comes with a bespoke gift-box and is personally hand-signed by Sir Terence Conran himself.

The collection features 10 premium, individually designed bottle labels, each featuring a bespoke design that tell a unique story inspired by Conran’s iconic heritage.

The “Ten Green Bottles” Limited Edition Collection by Gordon’s Gin is now available exclusively from Selfridges and retails for £425.

To get more information or purchase this bottle 9ollection, please contact us at:

Ketel One

Today is National Vodka Day, so there’s no better way to enjoy it than with delicious cocktails.

Vodka comes in either a flavor-infused or natural taste and made from potatoes or wheat. Always a favorite in the cocktail world, vodka continues to also be a popular culture choice for spirit drinks.

Ketel One is proud to be a family-owned business that has carried on the vodka making tradition for eleven generations. Ketel One Vodka is made using a 300 year old family recipe. The result is one of the smoothest vodkas found anywhere.

To celebrate National Vodka Day, here are two delicious, vodka cocktail recipes from Ketel One to try at your next party or social gathering:

Ketel One Old-Fashioned
Ingredients:
1 ounce Ketel One Vodka
1/2 ounce Elderflower Liqueur
Dash of orange bitters
Preparation:
1. Add Ketel One Vodka, elderflower liqueur and orange bitters into a mixing glass filled with ice.
2. Stir contents and strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Garnish with an orange slice.

Moscow Mule
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces Ketel One Vodka
1 ounce Ginger Beer
1/2 ounce Cranberry Juice
1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
Orange Bitters
Preparation:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add Ketel One Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Fresh Lime Juice and Orange Bitters and shake vigorously.
3. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top with ginger beer.

The Macallan – Annie Leibovitz

The Macallan offers an outstanding single malt scotch whisky that has been distilled in Speyside, Scotland since 1824. The Macallan single malt is definitely a favorite with malt whisky drinkers all around the world and has won many prestigious awards. The Macallan was also recognized in July as the “Most Expensive Whisky Sold at Auction” by Guinness World Records.

The Macallan is a brand also known for championing the art of photograph. The company’s Masters of Photography series has included famous photographers such as Albert Watson and Rankin. The tradition continues with a new series that includes one of the world’s most famous female photographers – Annie Leibovitz.

Through the creative interpretation of Annie Leibovitz, the project’s end result is stunning, displaying four powerful images that capture the ultimate moments of enjoying The Macallan. The final shots depict four single cask variants of The Macallan through photographs featuring Scottish actor (and former distillery hand at The Macallan) Kevin McKidd.

This incredible special series collection includes only 1,000 limited edition bottles worldwide. Each contains one of four unique single cask whiskies released for the first time. Suggest Retail Pricing is $2,750.

The Macallan – Annie Leibovitz

Tasting Notes:

Cask No 7023 – 1991 Sherry Oak Puncheon
Availability: 285 bottles to accompany ‘The Bar’ print
Color: Dark Rosewood
Nose: Intense, dried fruits, ginger, nutmeg and clove. Ripe apples give way to rich sweet notes. Vibrant oak makes a statement, but is refined enough not to dominate
Palate: Ginger and cinnamon spice with rich dried fruits. Mature oak is in balance, with citrus fruits – a story to tell on its own
Finish: Medium to long finish, smooth
ABV: 50.8%

Cask No 12251: 1989 Sherry Butt
Availability: 285 bottles to accompany ‘The Gallery’ print
Color: Dark copper
Nose: Perfumed, chocolate orange and date. Burnished oak giving out a rich intensity
Palate: Sweet, fruity, raisin, wood and spices. Then the oak, which shows its hand in a subtle roasted manner
Finish:Rich finish could stay slightly dry, but teases
ABV: 56.6%

Cask No 14007: 1995 Sherry Oak Hoghead
Availability: 145 bottles to accompany ‘The Library’ print (For Global Travel Retail, Distillery and private sale only)
Color: Red Mahogany
Nose: Rich raisin sultana and chocolate orange arrive almost together, followed closely by toasted apple, ginger and clean oak
Palate: Toasted apple, ginger and oak note their intent, but are not to be outdone as orange and dried fruits step out
Finish: Long lingering, full
ABV: 59.6%

Cask No 10019: 1996 American Oak Butt
Availability: 285 bottles to accompany ‘The Skyline’ print
Color: Light Gold
Nose: Lemon, citrus fruits, vanilla, cream soda. Freshly cut wood in background balanced out by sweet dessert notes
Palate: Viscous; initially oak flits in then departs to allow cinnamon, citrus, toffee apples to show their hand, only to reappear later
Finish: Medium finish but full bodied
ABV: 55.5%

Learn more about The Macallan Masters of Photography series by visiting – www.themastersofphotography.com

The Dalmore – King Alexander III

The Dalmore  is an exceptional single-malt Scotch whisky brand that’s widely regarded as having one of the oldest and rarest whisky stocks of any highland distillery.

The strong heritage of The Dalmore is without argument. Since 1839, the The Dalmore has been proudly producing whisky in the stunning Scottish Highlands.

In addition, the whisky brand is recognized for its unique artisanal production process that forgoes modern technology for a handcrafted approach.

Below are several outstanding tasting Scotch whiskies from The Dalmore.

King Alexander III – the only single malt whisky to mature in six different types of wood providing a range of complex tastes including warm flavors of crushed almonds and rich citrus fruits, hints of wild berries and fleshy ripe plums and warm whispers of vanilla and creamy caramel. Retails for $265

The 18 – this expression tastes of vanilla, Colombian coffee, truffles and rosemary. The 18 won a Double Gold medal in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2011. Retails for $165

The 15 – This expression tastes of mandarin, vanilla, ginger, crushed apples. The 15 won a Gold Medal in the International Whisky Competition in 2010. Retails for $84

We’d also like to share several interesting facts about The Dalmore brand’s unique history:

· The Dalmore’s King Alexander III, which retails for around $250, is the only single-malt to be matured in SIX different types of wood

· The Dalmore has won numerous awards and accolades from around the world including gold and silver medals from the International Whisky Competition, Scotch Whisky Masters and San Francisco World Spirits Competition

· The Dalmore’s Master Distiller, Richard Patterson, has been with the brand for over 40 years

· The Dalmore 62 Year Old sold last year in Changi Airport, Singapore, for $195,000, making it the most expensive bottle ever sold in retail

Get more info at http://www.thedalmore.com/

Tequila Partida

September 16 is the Mexican National Day of Independence. You’ll hear the phrases “Viva Mexico!” and ““Viva la independencia!” spoken all across Mexico to celebrate their holiday.

Mexican National Day of Independence is a very patriotic Mexican holiday or fiesta patria.

The country enjoys fireworks and festive foods such as pozole (a soup made of hominy and pork) in addition to celebratory drinks, including darker Reposado or Añejo Tequila styles which are shared by families and friends.

Mexico’s most popular type of Tequila on national holidays is the more expensive aged Reposado, not Blanco.

Tequila Partida is proud to be the world’s top-rated Tequila.

Here are several interesting facts about Reposado and Añejo Tequila – Viva Mexico!

– America’s leading spirits reviewer Paul Pacult has called Partida Reposado “the Bentley of Reposado
tequila.”

– Partida Reposado is aged six months in once-pass Jack Daniels American Oak. Partida Añejo is aged for eighteen months in once-pass Jack Daniels American Oak.

– Reposado Tequila features a unique woodsy flavoring that is ideal when served with beef-based, poultry and pork-type main dishes. An easy pairing of complementary flavors includes orange, cinnamon and honey.

– Aged Tequila styles such as Reposado and Añejo were originally created when producers made use of leftover red wine, brandy and rum casks that were shipped over for consumption by the Spanish aristocracy in the 1900s.

Beam Inc. – Small Batch Collection

September is Bourbon Heritage Month and Beam Inc. is offering its Small Batch Collection to help honor and celebrate the great taste of bourbon.

Beam’s Small Batch Collection is handcrafted in limited quantities. The great tasting bourbon was carefully matured for exceptional quality and flavor. The bourbon collection from Beam Inc. includes the following distinctive super-premium bourbons – Booker’s, Baker’s, Knob Creek and Basil Hayden’s.

Bourbons will love that Beam’s bourbon is aged from six to nine years in new, charred American white oak barrels. Each barrel is characteristic of pre-Prohibition whiskey, providing strong, rich flavors and aromas.

A small batch bourbon is a complex balance of taste and flavor fit only for a true connoisseur. Beam’s has created sipping recommendations in addition to sharing delicious cocktail recipes.

BOOKER’S – Booker’s Bourbon delivers a range of intense flavors from oak tannin and smoky vanilla to lighter tones of mocha and coffee. Add spring water to customize the taste and finish to your palate.

BAKER’S – The mix of grains, yeast, and seven soothing years in new oak combine to give this bourbon a deeply mellow, richly flavorful, medium-bodied taste with a delicious aroma full of fruit and vanilla. Baker’s is best served in a snifter with a splash of spring water.

KNOB CREEK – The World’s #1 selling Super-Premium Bourbon is aged for nine years and bottled at 100 proof creating a rich and hearty, pre-prohibiton style bourbon. Knob Creek Perfect Manhattan is indeed the perfect way to commemorate the holiday.

BASIL HAYDEN’S – A Super-Premium Bourbon that is incredibly approachable and ideal for mixing into cocktail due to the fact that it’s made with twice as much rye as ordinary bourbons and bottled at a mild 80 proof.  Basil Hayden’s has partnered with renowned NYC mixologist Julie Reiner to create the Basil Hayden’s September Sour – a twist on the classic New York Sour its sure to please fans of both classic and contemporary cocktails.

The Knob Creek® Perfect Manhattan
INGREDIENTS:
2 parts Knob Creek® Bourbon
½ part Sweet Vermouth
½ part Dry Vermouth
1 dash Bitters
Garnish: Maraschino Cherry

METHOD:
Fill a mixing glass with ice
Add Knob Creek, vermouth, and bitters
Stir and pour into a cocktail glass
Garnish with a maraschino cherry

Basil Hayden’s® September Sour
INGREDIENTS:
2 parts Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon
3/4 parts Lemon Juice
1 bar spoon Benedictine Liqueur
3/4 parts Simple Syrup
1 dash Orange BItters
1/2 part Medium Bodied Red Wine

METHOD:
Combine all ingredients into a mixing tin and shake well
Strain the liquid into a coup glass
Float red wine on top of cocktail

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey

Established in 1757, Kilbeggan is the world’s oldest operating distillery. The scenic village of Kilbeggan is located in the middle of Ireland.

Kilbeggan is also the home and birthplace of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey.

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey is carefully handcrafted using only the finest hand-selected grain and barley plus distilled from the purest clear water.

The great tasting whiskey is double-distilled to store more flavor and uses a blend from a 180-year-old pot still to produce a smooth and flavorful whiskey.

You can enjoy this fine Irish whiskey either neat, on the rocks. The whiskey also pairs well with popular mixers including cola, soda or ginger ale.

The historic distillery and Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey brand has proudly survived and thrived for well over 250 years. A change occurred in 2012, when Beam acquired Kilbeggan. This move allowed the small Irish distillery a new distribution across the U.S.

Kilbeggan Irish whiskey achieved an elite status by being named the fastest-growing spirits category in 2011.

The award resulted in a large increase in the whiskey brand’s popularity.

Featuring a full-bodied flavor, Kilbeggan gained world-wide recognition by also winning the Best Blended Irish Whiskey at both this year’s World Whiskies Awards plus at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

So no matter whether you are a knowledgeable connoisseur or novice whiskey drinker, Kilbeggan offers a smooth and sweet taste complete with a malty finish.

The Chivas Regal 12 Year Old “Made for Gentlemen” limited edition shoe collection, by Tim Little is the brand’s most recent collaboration.

Celebrating heritage, modern craftsmanship and style, Chivas 12 and Tim Little’s handcrafted shoes are both borne from the investment of time and skills passed down from generation to generation and remain a contemporary mark of discernment, style and luxury.

The new shoe collection by British designer Tim Little is bold, expressive and masculine and also includes the Chivas 12 “Made for Gentlemen” collectible tin and a bottle of Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Scotch whisky.

Creative Director and Owner of iconic British luxury shoe label Grenson, features a slick deconstruction of the classic wardrobe staple, the hand crafted brogue.

The new luxury shoe collection will definitely be coveted by modern gentlemen.

You can purchase the new Chivas Regal 12 Year Old “Made for Gentlemen” shoe collection by Tim Little next month. The suggested retail price is £25.39

Maker’s Mark

It swings from politeness to ruthless personal attacks. Strategic direction effecting our country’s future to bumbling mistakes and missteps.

Yes, we’re talking abut the 2012 Presidential Race in the U.S. There’s a lot at stake but why do we all have to take this so serious?

Maker’s Mark is one of Kentucky’s finest bourbons. The company’s great tasting bourbon is made from soft red winter wheat, rather than of rye.

<h3>Maker’s Mark has created two political themed cocktails to enjoy at any social gathering. Kick off the election season some light-hearted political intrigue.

Maker’s Mark bourbon features a smooth flavor that makes it ideal for mixing delicious cocktails. Enjoy!</h3>

—————————————————-

Romney Hood
* 1-1/2 parts Maker’s Mark(r) Bourbon
* Fresh mint
* 2 tablespoons simple syrup muddled with mint
* Squeeze juice of two lime wedges
* Splash of triple sec

Mix all together and top off with a splash of soda. Serve on the rocks in a tall glass rimmed with sugar. Garnish with a lime wedge

—————————————————-

The Obamacare
* 1-1/2 parts Maker’s Mark(r) Bourbon
* 1/2 part sweet vermouth
* 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice
* 1 maraschino cherry

Shake all together for 30 seconds. Strain into chilled Manhattan glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry (served up, no ice)