Taste DRINK
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
GET IN THE SPIRIT This season’s brand-new beverage offerings
Each year, to take advantage of the cooler weather and as a precursor of the holiday season, elite beverage brands release limited-edition and seasonal offerings across the globe. Here are some of our favorites now available.
Ardbeg An Oa Ardbeg has been among the top-rated malt Scotch whiskies in the world for more than 200 years. A smoky variation on traditional malt scotch while still approachable for novice aficionados, An Oa is Ardbeg’s first new offering in a decade. Silky with hints of creamy toffee, anise and even a hint of milk chocolate, this seductive scotch is pitch-perfect for fall and winter days (and especially nights). $76.99 at BevMo!, Total Wine & More and Fox Cigar Bar.
Ciroc French Vanilla Vodka Unlike most other vodkas, Ciroc is produced from grapes, versus corn or grains. It is also distilled five times before any flavor infusions, including this new release. To marry both the creamy French and rich vanilla bean flavors together without overpowering the vodka, a master distiller infuses the liquor with vanillas from all over the world, from Guatemala to Madagascar, and then lets it finish in a custom-made copper pot in Southern France, which produces a richer texture. $27.99 at BevMo! and Total Wine & More.
Crown Royal Salted Caramel Whisky In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth became the first reigning monarchs to visit Canada. To woo them, a Canadian spirits entrepreneur set out to craft a whisky suited for the royal couple as a gift – and after 600 blends, Crown Royal was born. Nearly 80 years later comes Crown Royal Salted Caramel. Available through Dec. 31, this limited-edition spirit is a blend of 50 different whiskies aged in charred oak barrels and then infused with luscious caramel and sea salts. $19.99 at BevMo! and Total Wine & More.
Glenmorangie Astar Initially released in 2008, Glenmorangie Astar Scotch whisky is back for a limited run now through the end of the year. A scotch entirely matured in bespoke oak, Astar’s extraordinary wood casks are hewn from hand-selected oak trees in the Ozark Mountains and meticulously crafted to exacting specifications to ensure they impart maximum flavor. The casks are so rare that it has taken all these years to re-create and build upon the initial release – and it does not disappoint. $110.99 at BevMo!, Total Wine & More and Fox Cigar Bar.
Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch – Wine Cask Earlier this year, Johnnie Walker announced Blenders’ Batch, a global experimental program highlighting the art of blending. Through it, Johnnie Walker is releasing limited-edition experimental whiskies to challenge convention and provide unparalleled insight into the skill and never-ending pursuit of flavor that drives Master Blender Dr. Jim Beveridge. This newest release is partially matured in wine casks for more than two years. It boasts notes of orchard fruit and red berries that enhance the malt flavors in an unexpectedly vibrant way. $39.99 at BevMo! and Total Wine & More.
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So Scottsdale! October '17