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31 October 2016
28 October 2016
27 October 2016
Fall Into Flavor with Tasty Harvest Cocktails from Leading Pennsylvania Mixologists
Cocktail menus across Pennsylvania have transformed from light, fruity concoctions to spicier, woodsier offerings embodying the spirit of the harvest season. For instance, mixologists are replacing lighter spirits, such as gin and vodka, with darker spirits, like whiskey and cognac.
“Bartenders across the U.S. are experimenting with new techniques, flavors and spirits to create cocktail menus that reflect the transitioning seasons,” said Kelley McDonough, Distilled Spirits Council director of public relations. “This fall, hot drinks with frothy and nutty flavors are peaking both the interests of consumers and mixologists.”
McDonough noted that Pennsylvania’s cocktail scene is indicative of this booming trend. Pennsylvania bartenders are experimenting with new offerings and customers are intrigued by the new and complex flavor profiles. Over the past five years, consumption of distilled spirits in Pennsylvania has increase by nine percent, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.
“One technique we've been working is re-using barrels to season spirits,” said Jack Falkenbach, Rex1516 Beverage Director. “For example, we aged house-made fernet in a barrel then re-filled it with gin; another with homemade sweet vermouth, then apple brandy. The aromatics of the first liquors season the barrels and lend just enough flavor to the next spirits to enter the barrels after a few weeks. Our vermouth-seasoned brandy makes a particularly good sidecar.”
Below are cocktail recipes from some of Pennsylvania’s top mixologists to enjoy this fall season:
Sidecar by Jack Falkenbach, Rex1516 in Philadelphia, PA
¾ parts oz vermouth-seasoned apple brandy
¾ parts rye whiskey
¾ parts dry curacao
¾ parts lemon juice
1-2 dashes your favorite bitters (recommend sassafras & smoked black tea)
Shake over ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass, garnish with orange peel
Bourbon Cider by The Summit in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
¾ parts bourbon
¾ parts applejack
Pour above ingredients into an Irish coffee mug, ladle 4.5oz cider mix, stir and enjoy!
America’s Native Spirit, Bourbon, Is Back and on Trend this Autumn Season
Today, this legendary “sippin whisky” is trending in watering holes across America and beyond. Sales of distilled spirits, especially top-tier Bourbon brands, are a robust $72 billion annually and outpace sales of all other liquors, according to Fortune magazine. Exports to countries such as Canada, Germany and the UK grew from $743 million in 2005 to $1.56 billion in 2015.
“America’s Native Spirit,” Bourbon, was born in the early 18th century in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and quickly became part of the American experience. Distillers, working legally and otherwise, developed their own unique brands of this corn-based whisky, usually named for the owner of the distillery. Many of these survive today, including such legendary labels as Jack Daniels and Jim Beam.
Bourbon cocktails appear in the hands of America’s favorite film stars and fictional characters. Southern Belle Daisy Buchanan sipped Mint Juleps in The Great Gatsby. Despite Prohibition, Marilyn Monroe, as Sugar Kane, always found a favorite bottle of Bourbon in Some like It Hot. Old Fashioneds were among the preferred poisons of adman Don Draper. James Bond’s hangover cure in Live and Let Die was Eggs Benedict and a pint of Jack Daniels. Frank Sinatra was a devoted fan of Jack Daniels and reportedly was buried with a bottle of Old # 7.
America’s literary lions sang Bourbon’s praises. Said Mark Twain, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” Mystery writer Raymond Chandler proclaimed, “There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.” William Faulkner needed pen, paper and a pint of Four Roses to inspire him.
Now that Bourbon is back and bigger than ever, craft distilleries, encouraged by more liberal liquor laws, are springing up around the country and partnering with bars and restaurants to produce new, signature cocktails. Bars and restaurants at Benchmark Resorts & Hotels® and The Gemstone Collection® properties are teaming up with local distilleries this autumn to offer some new twists on America’s favorite whiskey, while looking to local traditions and ingredients. For example, Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia, has teamed with Smooth Ambler Spirits, an award-winning craft distillery producing “Patiently Crafted Appalachian Spirits.” And Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington, features “small batch whiskeys” from the neighboring Woodinville Whiskey Co. The Lodge also offers the exclusive and expensive Pappy Van Winkle brand. At The Chattanoogan Hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Coopers Craft Kentucky Bourbon is a favorite. Other rare brands and blends served at Benchmark & Gemstone-brand properties include Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and Breckenridge Bourbon, while icons like Maker’s Mark and Jack Daniels remain perennial favorites.
With fall weather arriving, several bars used local maple syrup for a perfect autumnal cocktail. In honor of America’s Spirit and Spirits, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and The Gemstone Collection properties across the country offer the best of Bourbon.
The Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Marking the passing of golf great Arnold Palmer, Stonewall Resort’s bar staff created the “Ambling Arnold”.
Ambling Arnold
2 oz Iced Tea
1 ¾ oz Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon
¾ oz Simple Syrup
¾ oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice SHAKE, STIR
Garnish with fresh sprig of mint and twist of citrus
Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Chicago, IL
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Eaglewood Maple Manhattan
Classic Makers Mark Bourbon teams with locally produced Sugarbush Maple Syrup for this sophisticated cocktail.
1.5 oz Makers Mark Bourbon Whiskey
.5 oz Danielson’s Sugarbush Maple
A Splash of Dry Vermouth
Garnish with Cherries
Serve Over Ice
The Heldrich Hotel, New Brunswick, NJ
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Makers Mark is also the choice of bartenders at The Heldrich Hotel, enhanced with autumn flavors of apples and maple syrup.
Bourbon Apple Cider
3 parts Makers Mark Bourbon
1 part Sour Apple Schnapps
3 parts Spiced Apple Cider
1 tsp Maple Syrup
Dash of Lemon juice
Dash of cinnamon
Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick
Chaminade Resort & Spa, Santa Cruz, CA
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Mixologists at Chaminade Resort & Spa’s signature restaurant, Linwood’s Bar & Grill, utilize Bulleit Bourbon Whisky in the “Black Pearl’ as it combines Bulleit’s bold spicy characters with the savory sweetness of blackberry puree. Those combined flavors make this the perfect savory spiced fall cocktail.
The Black Pearl
1.5 oz Bulleit Bourbon
.5oz Blackberry Puree
½ lime juice
Top with ginger beer
Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, CO
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Cheyenne Mountain Resort brings a Rocky Mountain High to this special cocktail, made with Local Breckenridge Bourbon made in the world’s highest distillery with pure water from Rocky Mountain snow melt.
Zesty Breck & Blue
8 blueberries, muddled
2 ounces Breckenridge Bourbon
Splash of simple syrup
Splash of club soda
Squeeze juice from one orange wedge
Toss ingredients together twice in shaker
Serve over ice in a rocks glass
Garnish with an orange slice
The Chattanoogan Hotel, Chattanooga, TN
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Tennessee also claims a proud Bourbon heritage, honored in The Chattanoogan Hotel’s Maple Bourbon Smash, made with Cooper’s Craft Kentucky Bourbon.
Maple Bourbon Smash
1/2 oz maple syrup
1/4 oz lemon
Dash of orange bitters
Orange wheel
Muddle
Add 1 1/2 oz Cooper's Craft Kentucky Bourbon
Top with seltzer
Willows Lodge, Woodinville, WA
A Gemstone Collection property
Woodinville Fashion
2 ounce Woodinville Whiskey
¼ ounce Cherry Heering
¼ Combier Orange liquor
1 ounce Sweet & Sour
2 muddled orange slices
Shake well, strain over ice.
Costa d’Este Resort, Vero Beach, FL
A Gemstone Collection property
Tropical flavors of coconut and fruit make Bourbon Sangria a year-round favorite at Florida’s Costa D’Este, Gloria & Emilio Estefan’s luxury oceanside resort.
Bourbon Sangria
3 Orange Slices
¼ Freshly Sliced Peach
¼ cup Blueberries
0.5 oz. Coconut Simple Syrup
1.5 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
2-3 oz. Pinot Grigio
Splash of Sprite
Coconut Simple Syrup
1. In a small saucepan over medium/¬low heat, combine 1/2 cup of coconut water with 1 Tbsp. of coconut sugar. Heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens, stirring frequently.
2. Remove from heat and let cool. This will create more simple syrup than required for recipe.
Bourbon Sangria
1. Add 2 orange slices cut into quarters and the sliced peach to the bottom of an empty glass (save 3-4 slices of peach for garnish).
2. Add 0.5 oz. Coconut Simple Syrup to the same glass and muddle together.
3. Add Bulleit Bourbon.
4. Add Pinot Grigio.
5. Top with ice.
6. Shake and Strain.
7. Skewer 3 of the blueberries and the remaining orange slice together and place to the side.
8. Drop 3-4 slices of peach and remaining blueberries into the sangria.
9. Stir lightly.
10. Add a splash of sprite.
11. Add skewer to garnish with a straw.
12. Enjoy
19 October 2016
JustMalt Features Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas
So what if I told you that you can now enjoy a premium craft Margarita without all the hassle and without even plugging in your blender? Now I’ll bet I have your attention…so let me introduce you to Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas. 
Developed by Duke & Ginny Mahl, these “mixologist-quality” Margaritas are ready-to-go at home or on the go (think parties, vacation, entertaining…) These Margaritas use a proprietary blend of true Blue Agave and natural fruit juices and NO artificial sweeteners so they really are unique and delicious.
Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas are available in five introductory flavors like Classic Lime, Hucklarita, Ruby Redarita, Choclarita and Papayarita and they are even offering a “Margarita of the Month” club to help you try them 
Of course by now you’re wondering how they taste, so off we go. As always we decided to sample them in the way recommended by the producer and in this case that was to pour the Margarita straight over ice. Our sample was Classic Lime and it features limes, Blue Agave Silver premium Tequila, natural cane sugar and tripel sec orange liqueur. As you can imagine by the ingredients list, Classic Lime tastes a LOT like a classic Margarita. Right out of the bottle Classic Lime was a really nice Margarita with loads of lime & citrus flavors. To amp it up another level, we also tried Classic Lime in a salt-rimmed glass with crushed ice instead of cubes…and I’ll admit that while I’m no Margarita expert, this version really felt and tasted like a professionally made Margarita.
We also decided to create one of Nightshade Partners signature cocktails, and of course we tried their Copa Verde. I’ll admit it was a pretty complex cocktail, but everyone we shared it with really loved the blend.
Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas clock in at 15%-ABV so they will sneak up on you…in fact the only downside we found was that there was no mixing-delay between rounds of Margaritas, so be sure to share a bottle with friends and family. Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas are available now in 750ml bottles and the Classic Lime flavor hits 187-calorie per standard pour…and don’t forget, Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas Classic Lime is also gluten-free (and really delicious).
Be sure to try Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas in all of the new varieties, or better yet join the “Margarita of the Month” club and try them all.
18 October 2016
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey Returns with Art, Beats and Lyrics National Tour Fusing Urban Art and Hip-Hop Under One Roof
Art, Beats and Lyrics brings together upcoming and seasoned veterans from both the visual arts and music worlds. The new tour returns to staple cities such as Charlotte, Atlanta and Birmingham, and brings this one of a kind experience to new cities, including New York and Chicago, for the first time. Guests in each city can expect to be engaged and inspired by the interactive, visual art installations, while being entertained by performances from top hip-hop acts and enjoying Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey cocktails.
"Art, Beats and Lyrics is an amazing experience that showcases creativity in urban art and hip-hop today," says Casey Nelson, Brand Director, Jack Daniel's Flavors. "Jack Daniel's is a brand that has always had a strong connection to arts and entertainment, and Art, Beats and Lyrics is an opportunity for us to celebrate emerging talent across the country."
Over the years, the tour has featured works from globally renowned artists, such as Miya Bailey and Frank Morrison, along with tour curator and co-producer, Dubelyoo. Recurring hip-hop headliners throughout the years have included legends such as, Scarface, Twista, Mystikal and more. Music performers are typically announced within a week of the event, to create an element of surprise for guests.
"Looking back, upcoming artists didn't always have as many outlets to showcase their craft, especially in the urban space," says Dubelyoo, Art, Beats and Lyrics curator and co-producer. "Art, Beats and Lyrics has grown to be much larger than we could have ever imagined, and we are proud to be able to provide this platform for upcoming artists."
Art, Beats and Lyrics kicked off its 2016-17 tour in Charlotte, and will travel on to Atlanta, New York, Chicago and Miami through December. Upcoming cities and dates will be announced in 2017.
For more information and event details, please visit www.JackHoneyABL.com.
17 October 2016
14 October 2016
Jack Daniel’s - Southern Peach Flavored Malt Beverage
Yes this is actually a flavored malt beverage (no actual Whiskey involved). This is Jack Daniel’s Southern Peach and this “flavored beer” will hit 4.8%-AbV. This is the 10oz bottle.
13 October 2016
Woodford Reserve Releases Master's Collection Finished in Brandy Casks
Marking the eleventh release in the Master's Collection, Master Distiller Chris Morris began with fully mature Woodford Reserve bourbon which was then finished in brandy casks for nearly two years. Upon completion of the maturation period, the finished casks were batched together to create this one-of-a-kind whiskey with crisp caramel and dried fruit notes. Finishing fully mature Woodford Reserve in these brandy casks accentuated Woodford Reserve's rich dried fruit and nut characteristics developed from the grain recipe and fermentation process.
Brandy, a spirit distilled from wine or fruit, is often aged in oak barrels. Unlike bourbon, brandy does not have the new, charred barrel requirement allowing their barrels to be used multiple times. Therefore, this release is technically not a bourbon but rather a finished whiskey.
"As with every Master's Collection release, this expression highlights Woodford Reserve's creativity and dedication to innovation. I'm extremely proud to say we've yet again done something very special," said Master Distiller Chris Morris. "Among Woodford Reserve's many flavors include fruit and spice notes which the brandy casks emphasize. Both products showcase rich, intense vanilla notes from their barrel maturation making the combination of the two a true success."
Brandy Cask Finish will be available for purchase in select markets within the United States and in limited international markets beginning in November with a suggested retail price of $99.99 (varying by market) for a 750ml bottle presented at 90.4 proof.
Originally introduced in 2006, the Master's Collection has become an acclaimed addition to the Woodford Reserve portfolio, with the Collection gaining its inspiration from the tradition and rich heritage that today surrounds the historic distillery. Though individually unique, each Master's Collection release encompasses the distillery's one-of-a-kind production capabilities, combined with Woodford Reserve's focus on contemporary style and straightforward presentation.
Tasting Notes for Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Brandy Cask Finish
Color: Warm red ochre.
Aroma: A medley of chocolate, maple syrup and caramel drizzled over toasted hazelnuts, dark raisins and dried cranberries. Soft notes of oak and spice linger in the depths.
Taste: Toffee-covered dried fruit and toasted hazelnuts warmed by delicate wood spice notes.
Finish: Long and warm with a touch of caramel lingering on.
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