Hot and Sticki

This spring, Stolichnaya Premium vodka celebrates 50 years of pioneering the flavored-vodka category by introducing Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki. Remixes on Pertsovka (Pepper) and Okhotnichya (Honey and Herb), the first flavored vodkas ever commercially produced by Stolichnaya in 1962, Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki offer a perfect balance of sweet and heat.

Stoli Hot offers the warm, fiery sensation of jalapeño peppers with significant mouth-heat. It is spicy on the palate yet has a delicate smoky quality. By contrast, Stoli Sticki is inspired by the candied, warm palate of the finest honey and has the added complexity of discernible floral notes that complement the subtle sweetness of its flavor profile.

The brand developed unique packaging for the new flavors with a glistening honeycomb adorning the bottle neck and cap of Stoli Sticki and flames that blaze up the side of Stoli Hot’s bottle neck and cap. On the label, Stoli Sticki features a dipper dripping with golden honey while Stoli Hot has a label illustrated with crimson and deep green jalapeño peppers. In a departure from the tradition of naming flavors after their taste profile, “Hot” and “Sticki” are fun and contemporary riffs that represent the mood of each flavor.

In addition to Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki, the Stolichnaya Flavored Premium vodka portfolio currently includes Chocolat Razberi, White Pomegranik Ohranj, Blueberi, Razberi, Vanil, Citros, Cranberi, Peachik, Strasberi, Gala Applik and Wild Cherri.

Both Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki take a premium cocktail to the next level by adding an exceptional layer of flavor resulting in a truly sophisticated and nuanced drink. The flavors are delicious as a straight shot, combined for a sweet and spicy shooter, or as part of a great cocktail.

Thanks to our friends at NC&B

Jager Part 3

Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur, the original honey liqueur, has announced the brand’s first line extension. Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon is a blend of premium honey liqueur and Kentucky bourbon whiskey, made with generous amounts of pure honey and all-natural ingredients. Both Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon and Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur differentiate themselves from the growing competition by being made with pure, natural honey and no artificial flavors. Both products are hand-crafted by one of Germany’s oldest family owned companies, Schwarze & Schlichte, with more than 340 years of distilling knowledge and tradition.

The unique blend of Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur, made with real natural honey, and Kentucky bourbon results in a balanced sweet bourbon taste with distinct lingering honey notes on the finish. Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon will be available nationwide in April 2012.

The introduction comes just months after Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur unveiled its new packaging. The brand’s new premium look is more contemporary, yet continues to honor and embody Bärenjäger’s unique history and lore. Made in Germany, Bärenjäger is a 70 proof honey liqueur made from neutral grain alcohol and pure premium natural honey. Each liter bottle contains 300 grams of pure honey and boasts a subtly sweet, spicy and herb-edged taste profile. Because of the versatility of the brand and the increasing popularity of honey and flavored liqueurs in cocktails, Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur has grown consistently since 2000 and has more than doubled sales over the last decade.

During the 15th century, the Eastern Prussian bear trap company, Teucke & König, first introduced Bärenjäger which translates to “Bear Hunter.” In an effort to end the struggle between man and bear, this sweet concoction was the first professionally produced Meschkinnes — mead-like moonshine made from honey by beekeepers and farmers — and was formulated to aid hunters attract bears and lure them from their dwellings. The spirit’s recipe was slightly altered in the 18th century and continues to serve as the original honey liqueur enjoyed around the world today.

Thanks to our friends at NC&B

A 12 Year Old Winner

Pernod Ricard USA and Irish Distillers, makers of Jameson, Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast, Powers and Paddy Irish Whiskies, are proud to announce Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Irish Whiskey has been crowned Whiskey Advocate’s Irish Whiskey of the Year.

Whisky Advocate magazine focuses on whisky information, education and entertainment for whisky enthusiasts. Dominic Roskrow, Whisky Advocate writer and judge commented, “It was the stunning triple whammy of single pot still whiskeys from Pernod Ricard USA/Irish Distillers (Redbreast 12 Year Old, Redbreast 15 Year Old and Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength) that provided the greatest surprise in a generation for the Irish whiskey category. All three were wonderful, but it was the cask strength version of the much-loved 12 year old Redbreast, that carried off the honors.”

Redbreast is a single pot still Irish whiskey, which is regarded as the definitive expression of traditional pot still Irish whiskey and remains the only ongoing bottling of an age statement single pot still whiskey available in the U.S. today. Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength, bottled at 57.7% ABV, is aged 12 years and non-chill filtered.

Roskrow went on to described Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength as, “A rich, bittersweet plummy, red berry, oaky-spiced delight. The increased strength gives an already great whiskey a richer, fuller, fruitier dimension, and makes an already complex whiskey…even more complex. For me, that makes it not just the best Irish whiskey of this year, but of any. An utter joy.”

Thanks to our friend at NC&B

The Kid In All Of Us

A pioneer in the world of flavored vodkas, Van Gogh Vodka is renowned for translating food flavor profiles into vibrant and authentically flavored vodkas. With over 20 exceptional flavors in their portfolio already, Van Gogh Vodka is pleased to announce the introduction of one of their most innovative and unexpected flavors to date: PB&J, which will debut at the end of March.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches – known simply as PB&J – are an American classic. Their history traces back to 1890, when peanut butter was invented by a doctor in St. Louis. Looking to provide protein to his patients without teeth, he put peanuts through a meat grinder… and peanut butter was born! The first-known reference to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches was printed in 1901 and PB&J rose to popularity during and after World War II, when peanut butter proved to be healthy, inexpensive and readily available during the turbulent times. Today, PB&J sandwiches are so ubiquitous that the average 25 year-old has already consumed at least 1,500 of them.

PB&J is so popular that it has spawned countless variations. And while the exact origin of the peanut butter and jelly combination remains a mystery, many of the sandwich spin-offs it produced are backed by very famous enthusiasts. Elvis favored a peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich, which is sometimes simply called “The Elvis.”

Now, Van Gogh Vodka is proud to introduce their own take on the classic PB&J, transforming its timeless flavor into a smooth peanut butter and raspberry jelly flavored vodka. Master Distiller Tim Vos selected raspberry-flavored jelly after taste-testing peanut butter sandwiches matched with various jellies.

While the fragrance is predominantly of peanuts, it is complemented by the fresh fruit aroma of the raspberry. On the tongue, the roles are reversed, and the raspberry flavor is more of the focal point, giving it a velvety texture with a hint of vanilla on the side.

Thanks to our friends at NC&B

Not The Twister You Know

Independent Distillers recently launched a new line of RTD products, Twisted Shotz, which are bartender-quality layered shot drinks with real spirits, convenience and taste. Twisted Shotz have been successful across the United States, with more than 7 million shots sold. Independent Distillers recently launched new extension of the Twisted Shotz product line — the Twisted Shotz Party Pack.

The Party Pack includes 15 individual Shotz, three each of the five best-selling Twisted Shotz Flavors. Packaged in a bright eye-catching package, the Twisted Shotz Party Pack is the perfect kit to get the party started with an assortment of the affordable, hassle-free, collectible and reusable split shot glasses, sure to provide guests with their favorite shot drinks.

With alcohol and flavors separated into two sides, the product mixes in the mouth. No fuss, no muss. The result? Bartender-created layered shot drinks. Twisted Shotz comes in the following flavors:

• Sex on the Beach: Banana and Pear Liqueur & Cream Liqueur
• Rattlesnake: Mexican Tequila & Lime Liqueur
• Porn Star: Blue Curacao & Raspberry Schnapps
• Strawberry Sundae: Strawberry Liqueur & Vanilla Cream Liqueur
• Buttery Nipple: Butterscotch Liqueur & Vanilla Cream Liqueur
• Whipped Orange: Whipped Cream Vodka & Orange Cream Liqueur
• Miami Vice: Strawberry Daiquiri & Pina Colada

-Thanks to our friends at Nightclub & Bar

Who Doesn't Like Chocolate?

Patrón XO Cafe Dark Cocoa combines high-quality Patrón Silver tequila with the extraordinary essence of fine coffee and Criollo chocolate from Mexico to create a unique and enjoyable ultra-premium coffee liqueur. Patrón XO Cafe Dark Cocoa marries the smooth, dry taste of Patrón XO Cafe with the decadence of rich chocolate and light tequila.

Follow Your Nose

Just when you thought the vodka companies had tapped into every crazy flavor you thought could or couldn’t be infused, they come through with yet another leaving you scratching your head and wondering “how the hell did they do that”. Three Olives latest flavor should taste VERY familiar to most of us. If the name didn’t give it away, the bright and colorful “O’s” on the label should do the trick. Fruit Loop flavored vodka, who knew? And although It sounds crazy, so did the idea of whipped cream, cake, gummy, and Mt. Dew flavored vodkas and yet the success of those is the reason the Three Olives “Loopy” is here today.
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Presentation: Bright and colorfully done, this one stuck out like a sore thumb. Using a child like font, Three Olives does a great job of visually sucking you in with a blurred background of Fruit Loops on the bottle. If that doesn’t do it for you, twist the cap and be instantly reminded of a fresh bowl at breakfast time. Loopy’s aroma is an exact replication of fruit loops cereal with a “slight” sting to the nostril from presence of alcohol.
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The Taste: Three Olives themselves describe Loopy as “A dastardly delicious medley of tropical fruit and imported English vodka”… I couldn’t have said it better myself. You can taste the tropical red berries and and get a strong sense of citrus both from the taste and the aroma. If you’re a fan of fruit loops (I don’t know anyone who isn’t or wasn’t at one time), then you can pour this one straight over ice and call it a night. Better yet, add in a some milk, throw away the bowl, and start drinking your breakfast. It’s as if you can literally taste the oats and grains of each bite sized “O” in every sip. It’s THAT authentic in taste. If you’re hoping to find a drink that completely hides the burn of alcohol then unfortunately this isn’t the one. This is not a liqueur, but rather a flavored vodka, so at 70 Proof you can be sure to get a nice little bite in the end of each shot (A good thing for those that need an indicator for when to stop). I have to admit I’m not the biggest fan of.sugary drinks unless it’s in the proper setting like tiki/beach drinks while on vacation but I’d like to think this one is justified. We are talking about one of the most popular kids cereals ever, which is essentially sugar, oats, and grains. Still, if your bothered by anything overly sweet or cringe at the idea of another “crazy flavored vodka”, you might want to pass on this one because it’s THAT sweet and THAT crazy.

Overall: What’s not to love? The sweetness if anything. If you aren’t a fan of overly sugary spirits then this one isn’t for you. It’s got PLENTY of sugar, and heavy notes of tropical flavor used to re-create the popular Fruit Loop brand. This one is pretty tasty and if you aren’t careful you could find yourself naked in the back alley of a town you aren’t familiar with. I’ve always said one day the liquor business would find a way to replace our breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a cocktail and with the addition of Three Olives Loopy we are one step closer. Below are a few recipes for you to try at home.

Thanks to the review from our brothers at Intoxicology 101.