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I had every intention of sitting down to write a wine story today. There is certainly no shortage of wine and spirits to explore. Samples are delivered to my home almost daily, in addition to frequent virtual wine tastings. But I need to pause. The world is watching the United States as it waits with bated breath for the outcome of the Presidential election, and the anxiety that we all feel is palpable. I thought perhaps I would write a story about “go-to” election drinks to get us all through a very stressful time. But it just doesn’t seem fitting for this particular election, when our future and our children’s future hangs in the balance. Instead, I will embrace the day, breathe slowly and soak up the sun and fresh air. And perhaps this evening I’ll open an old vintage wine.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Whether it is a special bottle of wine, a glass of aged bourbon, a power walk, yoga, listening to music, dancing or breathing exercises, do whatever it takes to relieve the election stress. Find your inner peace, and remember to breathe!  I will be back in a few days with stories and hopefully, after the election results, peace of mind!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] The “new norm” for socializing and engaging with friends and family for the past seven months has mainly been conducted online. This is also true for meeting with winemakers, participating in virtual wine tastings and experiencing life abroad while sitting in my living room. Recently, I took part in a virtual wine tasting and food pairing hosted by Italian winemaker Sandro Bottega, co-owner of Bottega SpA headquartered in Bibano, Treviso in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The company produces Prosecco DOC and grappa here. In addition, they have another winery in Conegliano for the production of Prosecco DOCG. Bottega also manages wineries in Valpolicella and Montalcino.  Bottega Winery Headquarters Photo courtesy of Bottega. Sandro is third-generation of this family-owned company founded almost 40 years ago by his father, Aldo Bottega, a Master Distiller. What began with the family’s forefathers in the 17th century through the 1920s working and cultivating the vines as tenant farmers, landowners and wine traders, eventually evolved over time with Aldo Bottega following his passion for making grappa. In 1977, Aldo established his own distillery, Distilleria Bottega. After Aldo’s passing in 1983, his son Sandro became the company director and together with his siblings Barbara and Stefano, the company has grown to include the production of sparkling and still wines and liqueurs. In 1992, Bottega released its first sparkling wine. The company manages several different brands, among which are Bottega sparkling wines, Alexander Grappa and Accademia.  Sandro Bottega Photo courtesy of Bottega. Bottega’s motto is “Fatto A Mano”, which means ‘handmade’. Their mission is to work and achieve the highest levels of quality, design and sustainability. Our wine tasting for the afternoon included sparkling wines, a chocolate liqueur and gin. The food was provided by igourmet.com  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss All of the bottles are beautifully designed and made of hand-blown Venetian glass in Bottega’s glass factory. I asked Sandro what his motivation was for using Venetian glass for his products. Sandro said, “It is important to make a completely original product from the wine or grappa to the packaging in an expression of our territory and of our culture. Another important reason I use this glass is that I like it! In my company, everything I do is not only because it is a business, but it has to be first and foremost because I like it.” Academia Prosecco Rainbow Collection is a brand that celebrates the art of Venetian glassmaking and the city’s festive carnival atmosphere. Each bottle of this collection contains Prosecco DOC. There are eight colors to choose from (black and white bottles not shown in photo) and can be combined to “create a rainbow of emotions”. Mix and match to celebrate specific holidays or events. They make great gifts for the upcoming holidays!  Photo courtesy of Bottega. Prosecco Spumante DOC Brut 100% Glera grapes are hand-harvested from manually maintained and sustainable vineyards in Treviso Plains. The wine is produced using the Martinotti (Charmat, tank) method. The color of this sparkling wine is pale lemon with lovely aromas of floral, apples and citrus. It is fresh and lively with flavors of apple, pear, pink grapefruit and a touch of floral. It has a creamy mouthfeel, fine bubbles and apples lingering on the finish. This wine was paired with a variety of cheeses, cold cuts, olives and pesto crackers. Alcohol: 11% SRP: $17.99 Il Vino dell’Amore Petalo Moscato Spumante Dolce 100% Moscato grapes are hand-harvested from vineyards in the Euganean Hills of Veneto. These hills contain volcanic soil, rich in potassium and alkaline soil that contributes good acidity, minerality and higher sugar content. The wine is produced using the Martinotti (Charmat, tank) method.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The color is golden with a consistent and fine perlage. Classic aromas of apple, peach and rose mingle with fruity notes. On the palate, this refreshing sparkling wine offers honeysuckle, apricot, white stone fruit and a touch of minerality, balanced nicely with good acidity and sugar. It was paired with aged cheese, Gouda, pumpkin butter and water crackers. Simply divine! Alcohol: 6.5% SRP: $15.99 Gianduia Chocolate Cream Liqueur Gianduia chocolate was created in Piedmont in 1806 and has a unique bouquet of cocoa and nuts. Gianduia Bottega is a unique liqueur made with Bottega’s premium Alexander grappa from the Veneto region and Gianduia Chocolate. Grappa is mixed with milk cream (sourced from Alpine cows that only eat grass) that is homogenized and filtered to remove the fats. It is then mixed with sugar, chocolate and hazelnut paste.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Heavenly aromas of cocoa and nuts segue onto the palate for a creamy and most inviting experience. Rich hazelnut flavors and cocoa contribute to this decadent liqueur and is best served cold. Sandro likes to drink this neat. However, it can be poured over ice, served over ice cream, with fruit, in a cocktail, or in your coffee. This liqueur was paired with a pumpkin spice truffle bar, dark chocolate bar and Biscotti. Alcohol: 17% SRP: $24.99 Bacur Gin This dry gin is certainly eye-catching with its unique metallic copper bottle.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Italy is one of the largest producers of juniper, especially around Tuscany. And considering it is the main ingredient in gin, it was a simple leap for Bottega to produce gin. The other ingredients are pure grain, water from the Italian Alps, sage leaves from the Veneto countryside and Sicilian lemons.
This gin has aromas of sage, juniper and citrus notes that segue onto the palate mingling with a hint of perfume and lemon zest. It is smooth and delicate. I consider this a sipping gin, but I’m sure that it will spice things up when added to cocktails. Alcohol: 40% SRP: $39.00 If you would like to learn more about the grapes, regions, territories and production methods mentioned in this story, please click on the topic of interest to the right of this page. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] It has been quite a while since I’ve reviewed vodka. There are several well-known distilleries throughout Texas that produce popular brands of vodka such as Tito’s and NUE (click on the menu at right for reviews). Western Son, another Texas-based distillery recently caught my attention and I thought their vodka was worthy of a “shout out”.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Western Son Distillery is located in Pilot Point, Texas, which is about 53 miles north of Dallas. The distillery was created in 2011 by a small group of men who formed the JEM Beverage CO. They decided that they’d had enough of the corporate world and so pursued a dream that was realized with the birth of Western Son Vodka. The distillery is situated in a 30,000 square foot building that was formerly the Russell-Newman Clothing Company and is affectionately referred to by the locals as “The Old Panty Factory.” In addition to Western Son Vodka, JEM also produces Brazos gin, Red River whiskey, South House moonshine and Southern Son vodka. Western Son Vodka is made from 100% Texas and Midwest yellow corn. For those of you who are interested in the distillation process, this is a nicely illustrated diagram, courtesy of Western Son.  The first distillation takes place in a copper pot still and then continues on in a 20 ft. vodka column still for a 10X-distilled vodka.  Photo courtesy of Western Son As always, I sample and enjoy drinking vodka neat and I tend to rank vodka into three groups. One: Only drink this vodka neat. Two: Only drink this vodka in a cocktail. Three: Vodka can be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail. Western Son Original Vodka falls into the third category. It is flavorful enough to stand alone, but I would most likely use it in a cocktail. Its appearance is clear and clean with aromas of sweet corn, pepper and vanilla. The palate offers an earthy quality infused with a sweetness that carries through to the end with a dash of pepper, heat and a mild alcohol burn. 80 proof Alcohol: 40% SRP: $19.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss In addition to their original vodka, Western Son also makes eight flavored vodkas that I have yet to try. The cucumber vodka sounds quite refreshing and it might be worth exploring!  Photo courtesy of Western Son Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Summertime usually brings with it lots of get-togethers with family and friends and fun activities such as outdoor concerts, swimming parties, barbecues, sporting events and beach time. However, this summer we have an intrusive and uninvited guest, COVID19. And, unfortunately, this pandemic brought a whole new meaning to the word “socializing”. Even though it’s going to be a bit more challenging, there are still many activities that can be enjoyed solo or in small groups.  Courtesy of everydayhealth.com Happily, food and drinks will always continue to be part of most festivities. So, with that in mind let’s shake things up a bit and introduce a few spirits and cocktails into your summer fun. Whether you’re watching a sunset from the comfort of home or enjoying a backyard picnic, these spirits are palate pleasers! Tequila Bribón Blanco This tequila is produced from one of the top three tequila families in Mexico. Fully matured seven to ten-year-old agaves are hand-harvested and cooked for 18 hours at 100°C. The agaves are then shredded and the juice is fermented in tanks and then double distilled.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This 100% agave tequila is un-aged, clear in color and has subtle aromas of floral, pepper, fruit notes and savory. These aromas continue onto the palate with coconut, pepper and a trace of floral on the finish. Enjoy on the rocks or in your favorite cocktail. Margarita anyone? Alcohol: 40% 80 proof SRP: $24.99 Tequila Cherry Sunrise. Cocktail recipe courtesy of Bribón. Fill glass with ice and pour the following into it. 1.5 oz Tequila 1.5 oz orange juice 1.5 oz Cherry Heering (pour this to the side, not directly on top)  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum Diplomático is an independent family-owned company located at the foot of the Andes in Venezuela. This rum is a blend of exclusive rum reserves that are aged up to 12 years. It is carefully crafted with attention to detail from the selection of the purest sugar cane honey to fermentation, distillation, then barrel aging, and finally blending the matured spirits.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Seductive aromas of caramel, vanilla and candied orange peel float onto the palate with hints of cinnamon, ginger and toffee. This is a smooth and elegant rum that I feel is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. I have included a cocktail recipe recommended by Diplomático for your tasting pleasure. Alcohol: 40% SRP: $42.99 Signed & Sealed created by Jon Lister, Brand Ambassador UK  Image courtesy of Diplomático Add all the ingredients to a stirring glass, fill with ice, stir and strain Ingredients 40 ml Reserva Exclusiva 30 ml Strawberry infused Cocchi Rosa 3 dashes of Lavender bitters Serve straight up Grace O’Malley Blended Irish Whiskey This is the first Irish Whiskey to be named after a woman. Grainne Ni Mháille/Grace O’Malley was a 16th century Irish Pirate Queen. She was born into Irish nobility and was a natural leader, gifted negotiator and a fearless mariner. Grace was far from ordinary, just like this whiskey, which has 46% malt content, one of the highest in the blended whiskey category. It is a special blend that combines whiskeys with age statements from three to ten years old. Each batch of whiskey is aged in a range of barrel types including French oak, ex-bourbon, and ex-rum casks.  Photo is courtesy of Grace O'Malley Aromas of caramel, honey, nuts and orange zest segue onto the palate with hints of malt, vanilla and toasted oak. This is a smooth whiskey that keeps on talking in a long finish. Enjoy neat, over ice or in a cocktail. Below is a cocktail recipe taken from the Grace O’Malley website. Alcohol: 40% SRP: $34.99 MANHATTAN SMOKE SHOW WITH GRACE O’MALLEY BLENDED WHISKEY The Manhattan Smoke Show is a variation of the classic Manhattan. This is a boozy cocktail by nature and this version is no different in that respect. The Manhattan Smoke Show uses different spirits from around the world. The base ingredient is Grace O’Malley Blended Irish Whiskey. Cherry Liqueur complements the currant and vanilla notes in the whiskey. Vermouth is included and is typical of a Manhattan cocktail. The smokiness in this version comes from the Mezcal, while the Ancho Chile Liqueur also adds a subtle smokiness, spiciness and sweetness to this drink.  Image courtesy of Grace O'Malley MANHATTAN SMOKE SHOW 30ml Grace O'Malley Blended Irish Whiskey (1oz) 20ml Mezcal (.75oz) 15ml Ancho Chile Liqueur by Ancho Reyes (0.5oz) 20ml Heering Cherry Liqueur (0.75oz) 15ml Sweet or Amber Vermouth (0.5oz) Stir all the ingredients together with ice. Strain into a small coupe-style glass and serve. Disaronno Velvet Disaronno is a liqueur made in Italy. It has a very distinct aroma and delicious flavors of almonds called Armelline (the seeds of apricot stone), sweet fruit, Madagascar vanilla and pure caramelized sugar. Disaronno Velvet has all the familiar flavors of the classic version, but it is also creamy and smooth with a touch of chocolate and vanilla.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a refreshing and perfect “cooling off” drink to enjoy throughout the summer. And thanks to its low alcohol content, this cream liqueur is a great alternative to other spirits. The best way to enjoy Disaronno Velvet is to serve it over ice. A dash of Disaronno Velvet in iced coffee is delicious as well! Enjoy! Alcohol: 17% SRP: $29.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Please share your original cocktail recipes with me and I will be happy to publish them! In the meantime, put a smile on your face, rise to the challenge and let’s embrace the summer of 2020.
Until next time, Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] In September of 2019, I embarked on a whirlwind tour of distilleries located throughout the state of Virginia. I met with 25 distillers and toured numerous distilleries. My big take away from this trip (aside from the amazing spirits) was the overall emphasis on community spirit and a palpable non-competitive support system between the distillers. They all share the same goal and passion for the industry and are dedicated to working hard to promote Virginia Spirits. It is quite awe-inspiring! What is also awe-inspiring, but not surprising is how many of these distilleries have opened up their hearts and turned their businesses into the manufacturing of hand sanitizers.  If anyone had asked me several months ago if I would be interested in covering a story about distilleries making hand sanitizers, I would have laughed. But here we are today in the middle of a pandemic of epic proportions and it is no laughing matter. Hundreds of distillers across America are switching production from spirits to making hand sanitizer and providing front-line healthcare workers, first responders, hospitals and their communities with a much-needed product during the COVID-19 pandemic. With column stills and other necessary equipment already in place, the transition is easier, even though necessary adjustments need to be made to comply with FDA and WHO. According to federal and WHO guidelines, the recipe for hand sanitizer calls for 80% ethanol (which is highly flammable), water, hydrogen peroxide and glycerol. Fortunately, distillers are prepared and used to working with high-grade alcohol of which there are strict regulations that need to be followed. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau that oversees the spirits industry amended parts of the law on March 18th waiving the requirements that distilleries must obtain permits to produce hand sanitizer. This has made it easier for more distilleries to begin production. Here are some thoughts shared by two distilleries in Virginia who are now making hand sanitizer. Vitae Spirits This is a family-owned crafts distillery located in Charlottesville, VA. The distillery was founded by Ian Glomski, Ph.D., former Professor of Microbiology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. His specialty is infectious diseases. Vitae translated means “of life”. The distillery’s main focus is rum, but they also produce gin. And I can attest to the quality of the many delicious varieties of rum that I sampled with Ian.  Ian Glomski Photo credit: Penny Weiss September/2019  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Today the copper stills are being put to another use. Ian said, “At some level, it hurts me to turn our tasty rum and gin into sanitizer, but in times like this it's the right thing to do. We focus our hand sanitizer delivery to non-profit and front line organizations that are directly fighting the pandemic at a number of different levels, i.e. health care providers/food services, etc. We also reserve a small portion for our customers as a thank you for their patronage. I look forward to the day we are laughing and drinking our spirits with a crowd of friends again.” With the scarcity of hand sanitizers available to the public, Vitae made a valid and helpful suggestion on their website. Why didn’t I think of this? “REMEMBER: Hand sanitizer is a backup measure for washing hands thoroughly with soap and water and should be reserved for times when one does not have access to soap and water. Please consider carrying a bar of soap and a water bottle with you instead of relying on hand sanitizer.” KO Distilling Bill Karlson and John O’Mara, life long friends, joined forces in 2013 to make spirits using local ingredients with the intent of embracing the local community with their new adventure. Bill is CEO & Marketing/Sales Director and John is President and Head Distiller. The above photos were taken in September/2019. From left to right is Bill Karlson and John O'Mara. Photo credit: Penny Weiss KO Distilling was incorporated in 2013 and construction began in 2015 to create a state-of-the-art production facility and local tourist attraction in Manassas, VA. After initially offering un-aged whiskey and gins, Bill and John produced their first aged spirit in November 2016 called Bare Knuckle American Wheat Whiskey. I had the opportunity to taste a variety of their whiskey and bourbon while visiting the distillery. On March 12, 2020, Bill Karlson closed the distillery and tasting room to the public to protect the health and well being of his employees and customers. Bill said, “During the ensuing weeks, the severity of the pandemic and, importantly, the demand for hand sanitizer became clear, and we knew we had to join our distillery colleagues in producing this important tool for first responders. When coming up with a name for our hand sanitizer, it was fitting for us to use Bare Knuckle. We are glad to be able to help the community fight the good fight during this coronavirus pandemic.”  Photo is courtesy of KO Distilling The distillery plans to produce approximately 2,000 gallons of Bare Knuckle Hand Sanitizer each week and initially plans to donate supplies to Manassas area first responders, hospitals, charitable organizations, and nursing homes. Additional quantities are being sold through government channels or to essential businesses to help cover production costs and support the continued employment of their 15 employees.
The Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) is tracking spirit makers that have converted their facilities to create hand sanitizer. DISCUS is a national trade association that represents producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States. They have created a map that identifies which distillers in 50 states have announced their plans to make the sanitizer. Visit their website at www.distilledspirits.org I am sending a huge shout-out and an abundance of gratitude to all distilleries and breweries throughout the USA and beyond that are stepping up, donating and helping to ease the hand sanitizer shortage during this very scary and uncertain pandemic. Bravo! Until next time… Stay Safe, Stay Home and Be Well! Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] About six months ago I discovered NUE vodka while browsing in a spirits shop. I was so impressed with this vodka after tasting it, I wrote a story about it. There are not that many types of vodka on the market under $14 that deserve my attention. But when I find them, I like to sing their praises!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss So, I’m back to sing again about NUE flavored vodka that I received as a “thank you” for my first story. But before I begin, here is a repeat performance about the company in case you missed the first one. From my last story about NUE: “Southwest Spirits is a full-service distillery located in Dallas, Texas and it is also the third-largest distillery in Texas. They have an impressive portfolio of over 25 brands that they produce, including their best selling brand and award-winning NUE Vodka. All spirit production is done on-site in their over 103,000 square foot facility that is fully equipped with pot stills and a 14’ column still for producing premium spirits. The distillery also has grain milling capabilities, tank farms and four high-speed bottling lines with multiple filling capabilities. NUE Vodka is crafted in small batches to control and ensure the highest quality that ultimately provides clean, smooth vodka. Ingredients are locally sourced high-quality corn and water that has gone through a process of Reverse Osmosis, which extracts mineral content and any impurities in the water. The vodka is 6x distilled through an advanced column process that also removes natural impurities.” As you might know by now, I’m a “purist” when it comes to drinking vodka. I tend to like it cold, neat and unflavored. However, I was pleasantly surprised by NUE Grapefruit and Peach vodka. They weren’t cloyingly sweet or medicinal as some flavored vodkas tend to be. Also, both vodkas are naturally flavored.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss NUE Grapefruit Vodka The color is clear with a fresh and pleasing aroma of freshly squeezed grapefruits. Ruby red grapefruit comes to mind when tasting this vodka. A gentle drop or two of grapefruit flavor allows for a touch of vanilla and citrus zest to come through on the finish with a dash of heat. This is a refreshing vodka that drinks well neat. Alcohol: 35%, 70 proof. SRP: $11.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss NUE Peach Vodka The color is clear and clean with floral and stone fruit aromas. I found this to be a touch sweet, but it has nice flavors of fresh peach and hints of vanilla. It is smooth with much less heat on the finish than NUE’s other vodkas. Although I would not drink this one neat, it would make a fabulous ingredient in a cocktail. Alcohol: 35%, 70 proof SRP: $11.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The value to price ratio of NUE vodka is certainly going to give many imported vodkas a run for their money! And, I am happy to add NUE vodka to my growing collection.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] It was the year 1620 at the Berkeley Plantation in Charles City, Virginia where colonist George Thorpe is credited with distilling America’s first batch of corn-made whiskey. It was the prelude to corn-made moonshine and bourbon. One might think that it all began in Kentucky, however Bourbon County, Kentucky was part of Virginia until the late 1700s!  Photo credit: Revel Photo Co. Also, in the late 1700s, a Baptist preacher by the name of Elijah Craig who lived in Orange County, Virginia is at times credited for being the first person to age whiskey in charred oak casks, thus creating bourbon. And let’s not forget George Washington who began commercial distilling in 1797 at his Mount Vernon property in Virginia. It was the largest whiskey distillery in the country during that time. Most of the whiskey he produced was a blend of 60% rye, 35% corn and 5% malted barley.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The above video is of the Gristmill.  Distillery Photo credit: Revel Photo Co. After a fire in 1814 destroyed the building, Washington’s distillery was eventually reconstructed in 2007 and it now produces small batches of whiskey each year.  Tasting George Washington's whiskey. Photo credit: Penny Weiss Today, there are over 60 licensed distilleries located throughout Virginia, spanning from south to north and east to west. In fact, there are more craft distilleries here than in both Kentucky and Tennessee. And the variety of whiskey being produced in Virginia is impressive. In addition to whiskey, bourbon and moonshine, many distilleries are also making such spirits as gin, rum, vodka, brandy, aquavit, pastis, absinthe and flavored liqueurs. Most of these distillers use only locally sourced ingredients to ensure a quality product in addition to working with and supporting the community and local farmers. Virginia is celebrating 400 years of making distilled spirits this September with many events and festivities scheduled throughout the next few months. www.virginianspirits.org Through the generosity of the Virginia Distillers Association and Virginia Spirits Org., I was recently invited to meet with 25 distillers, tour seven distilleries, participate in a cocktail seminar and dine on exceptional culinary delights. It was a four-day whirlwind tour that also included a stopover at the historic Berkeley Plantation and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery. Our Virginia Spirits Trail began in Newport News and ended in Leesburg. At the beginning of the tour, we were given a passport that was stamped with each visit. I thought the ice cube stamp was clever!   Our tour bus was graciously provided by Virginia Hop On Tours co-owned by Jon Craig (pictured here). Jon provided us with everything we needed, including some local history and entertaining stories. When planning your spirits/wine/beer tours, I highly recommend you contact Jon. www.cvillehopontours.com  Virginia Hop On Tours Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Jon Craig Photo credit: Revel Photo Co. As I embarked on the tour I became aware of a common thread of agreement between the distillers. For the most part, they all seem to be focused on producing farm to bottle spirits and distilling small batches while making a spirit that reflects the “terroir” and community. My big take away from this trip (aside from the amazing spirits) is the overall emphasis on community spirit and how the distillers work closely together and support each other. They don’t look at making spirits as a competition between each other because they all have the same goal and passion and are dedicated to working hard to promote Virginia Spirits. It is quite awe-inspiring! Each distiller and distillery has a unique story. And I am impressed by their creative approach to making spirits. Over the next few months, I will be writing about the distilleries that I had contact with on this trip. And of course, I will also discuss and review some of their spirits. Let’s begin with the oldest operating distillery in Virginia, A. Smith Bowman Distillery.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The family tree is impressive and reads like a history book. For instance, brothers John, Abraham, Joseph and Isaac Bowman were Virginia militia officers in the American Revolutionary War. And A. Smith Bowman Jr.’s daughter married Jay Adams, a relative of John Adams, John Quincy Adams and James Buchanan. The names on each bottle of whiskey pay homage to a relative. John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon is named after Colonel Bowman, the first military commander and governor of Kentucky County. And the two stills are nicknamed Mary and George to pay homage to George Bowman and Mary Hite (eldest daughter of Jost Hite), parents of the Bowman brothers. Abram Smith Bowman, purchased Sunset Hills Farm in 1927, a 7,200-acre property in Fairfax County that was used as a dairy and granary. (In 1964 the farm became the planned community of Reston, Virginia.) After the repeal of Prohibition in Virginia in 1933, Bowman built a distillery on the estate that was completed in 1934. With all the excess grain that his farm was producing, it made sense to make spirits with it. The distillery’s hallmark bourbon called Virginia Gentleman was first produced in 1935 with the help of Bowman’s two sons, Abram Jr. and DeLong. Up until the 1950s, A. Smith Bowman was the only producer of legal whiskey in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 1988, the distillery relocated 60 miles south of the original location to the historic city of Fredericksburg. Today, A Smith Bowman, a micro-distillery, produces award-winning whiskeys led by Colorado raised Master Distiller, Brian Prewitt. Using the latest technology and time-honored tradition, they produce premium spirits made with the best natural ingredients. Although they produce vodka, rum, gin and several experimental spirits, they are best known for their whiskey, especially bourbon.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Revel Photo Co. After tasting several Bowman bourbons, the standout for me was the Abraham Bowman Sweet XVI Bourbon that was released in 2018.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This bourbon represents Bowman’s experimental, limited-edition line. It was made from a selection of bourbons aged in Missouri charred oak barrels with four different entry proofs - 125, 114, 105, and 90 proof. After 16 years of aging, the barrels were blended together producing a rich and seductive spirit. The nose was sweet with caramel, vanilla, leather and charred oak. Considering it was a 114 proof release, it was smooth but definitely heat infused. Notes of molasses, baking spice, oak, and anise filled the palate with a warm, creamy and sweet finish. This was a limited edition that is not available anymore. However, if you like bourbon, I highly recommend seeking out one of the many A. Smith Bowman bourbons that are now on the market. https://asmithbowman.com
More stories and coverage of the distilleries from my Virginia trip to follow soon. In the meantime, why not book a tour of Virginia’s Spirit Trail and enjoy all that Virginia has to offer? Or, stop by your local spirits store and pick up a bottle of Virginia spirits. Either way, you’re in for a treat! Until next time… Cheers, Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] I’m flying out on a press trip this weekend to spend several days immersing myself in the world of Virginia spirits. Did you know that Virginia is the birthplace of American distilled spirits and will be celebrating 400 years of spirits making? It all began in 1620…(to be continued when I return from Virginia.)  Credit: Virginia Spirits Org. I will be sampling many varieties of distilled spirits such as bourbon, whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, moonshine and craft cocktails! It will be a whirlwind tour that includes meeting with many distilleries and visiting a few historical sites.  Photo credit: Virginia Spirits Org. Stay tuned for some interesting stories! And in the meantime, follow my Virginia adventure on Instagram @thewineknitter.  Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] As a vodka lover, it’s always fun for me to scope out lesser-known vodkas on the market. I've stumbled across some amazing vodkas that tend to be dismissed by buyers who reach for the popular and well-known brands. So, once again, I was delighted to find yet another vodka that I had never heard of, reasonably priced and worthy of a review. I’ve written about many vodkas ranging from super expensive to under $10. Needless to say, my freezer has been taken over by a variety of vodkas from France, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Poland, Idaho, New York and Texas. And, NUE Vodka is my newest addition to the freezer!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Southwest Spirits is a full-service distillery located in Dallas, Texas and it is also the third-largest distillery in Texas. They have an impressive portfolio of over 25 brands that they produce, including their best selling brand and award-winning NUE Vodka. All spirit production is done on-site in their over 103,000 square foot facility fully equipped with pot stills and a 14’ column still for producing premium spirits. The distillery also has grain milling capabilities, tank farms and four high-speed bottling lines with multiple filling capabilities. Above photos courtesy of Southwest Spirits NUE Vodka is crafted in small batches to control and ensure the highest quality that ultimately provides clean, smooth vodka. Ingredients are locally sourced high-quality corn and water that has gone through a process of Reverse Osmosis, which extracts mineral content and any impurities in the water. The vodka is 6x distilled through an advanced column process that also removes natural impurities.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss NUE Vodka has a clean, floral and slightly flinty bouquet. It is silky smooth on the palate with subtle hints of sweet cream, vanilla and a touch of heat on the finish. Drink well chilled and neat or add to your favorite cocktail recipe.
Alcohol: 40%, 80 proof SRP: $10.99 NUE Vodka is also available in all-natural grapefruit and peach flavors. All three vodkas are presently distributed in 35 states. This is definitely a vodka that can stand up to the higher-priced vodkas on the market and at this price I’m impressed! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] With the onset of summer, spending time outdoors is a must for me. In addition to swimming and hiking, I like to make the most of the warm weather preferring to dine outside when possible. The sunsets and cool evenings with wine or cocktail in hand are blissful. Having lived in Miami Beach for many years I literally sweated out the summer months. Being young and unsophisticated when it came to drinking wine and spirits, we would get quite creative with hot weather alcoholic drinks. One of my favorite concoctions back then was making homemade chocolate chip ice cream and then putting it in a blender with vodka, and pouring it into a well-chilled glass. Had I been more cognizant of sparkling wines and their versatility as an ingredient in cocktails, my drinks would have undoubtedly been much lighter, less fattening and lower in alcohol. I was young though and hadn’t begun to really explore the world of wine and spirits. Fortunately, since my Miami Beach days, I’ve moved on from ice cream and vodka to more interesting and tastier options to quench my summer thirst. A very popular and light alcoholic beverage is the Spritz, traditionally made with sparkling wine, an aperitif such as Aperol or Campari and a splash of soda water. The Spritz is refreshing and a great “warm weather” drink.  Enjoying a Spritz in Venice, Italy! Photo credit: Penny Weiss Another creative and delicious Spritz is one made with TrentoDOC and Disaronno. I received these bottles as samples, along with a cocktail recipe. It was easy to make and quite delicious, proving that one doesn’t have to stick to tradition. Think outside the box and have some fun!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The Really Italian Spritz 2 oz Disaronno 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice Top with TrentoDOC Pour ingredients in a chilled flute and gently stir  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Cantina d’Isera 1907 Brut Trentodoc is 100% Chardonnay with delicate aromas of soft stone fruit and bread dough. Fine bubbles, bright acidity and stone fruit continue onto the palate. Serve as an aperitif or make your favorite spritz with it. Disaronno is a liqueur made in Italy with a very distinct aroma and taste of almonds called Armelline (the seeds of apricot stone), sweet fruit, Madagascar vanilla and pure caramelized sugar. Disaronno takes the lead in any mixed drink. It is refreshing to serve over ice as well. In stories past, I’ve shared unusual and very tasty cocktail recipes that are great to serve year round but are especially nice in warm weather. Just in case you missed the stories, here are a few fun cocktail recipes to make. Dirty French Cognac cocktail (Courtesy of Camus Cognac)  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Alambre Burbalas (Courtesy of Aldea Restaurant and José Maria da Fonseca) 1.5oz Alambre Moscatel 1 round of orange 2 dashes Angostura bitters .5 bar spoon honey 2oz dry sparkling wine Combine Alambre, honey, orange and bitters in mixing vessel, muddle lightly to express the orange into the combination Add ice and stir to chill and combine flavors Strain into wine glass Add dry sparkling wine Garnish with Orange rind  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Tequila Sunrise  Supposedly, this cocktail was created by Gene Sulit in the 1930s or 1940s and was first served at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. The original recipe contained tequila, crème de cassis, lime juice and soda water. In the 1970s Bobby Lazoff and Billy Rice of Sausalito, CA created a more modern version with tequila, orange juice and grenadine. It seems that Mick Jagger tried a Tequila Sunrise in 1972 during his American tour and liked it so much that he started ordering them all over America. Here is the recipe: 2.5 oz tequila 5 oz orange juice 1 tsp of grenadine Ice cubes Vodka Sunset This is my version of Tequila Sunrise because I enjoy drinking cocktails at sunset!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The recipe is simple; mix vodka with fresh orange juice and pure pomegranate juice.
Serve over ice. The next time you’re craving a refreshing, and light cocktail, grab a bottle of sparkling wine and add a liqueur to it. Be adventurous, creative and enjoy! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] |
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