Crafting Wilderness: The Innovative Spirits of Tamworth Distilling
You might think that having created beloved brands like Hendricks and Sailor Jerry, Steven Grasse would easily feel justified resting on his laurels. Instead, he sought out land in one of the most remote areas of New Hampshire, where he, with the assistance of his Head Distiller, Matt Power, created Tamworth Distilling. Known for their choice of the unusual and the truly bizarre, Grasse has used what he terms as ‘creative grenades’ to push the brand’s sense of enchantment and mysticism. But are one-of-a-kind releases enough in the present climate?We talk to Grasse and Power about the capacity of marketing, what makes a great spirit and what it means to distil in isolation. For more information about Tamworth Distilling, go to https://tamworthdistilling.com/
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34:40
The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Bitters with El Guapo
When we think about Dry January or making any non-alcoholic cocktails, we usually think about the spirits or liqueurs that we use in drinks. But how often do you think about the bitters?Coming in tiny little bottles, where you might only use a drop or two, it's easy to forget that bitters are technically alcohol. Most bitters commonly on the market sit around 35-45% ABV, and although you are only using a small amount, this can derail your non-alcoholic efforts. So, understandably, non-alcoholic bitters brands are becoming more and more popular. One such brand is the New Orleans-based El Guapo. also makes non-alcoholic mixers, syrups and RTDs. All-natural, with no-GMO ingredients, and female-led, the brand also makes non-alcoholic mixers, syrups and RTDs.We talk to El Guapo founder Christa Cotton about creating non-alc bitters, incorporating flavours and what it means to straddle the world of cocktails and non-alc.
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32:38
Understanding the Artistry of Tequila Partida's Single Barrel Program
For years, the Whiskey industry (both with an ‘e’ and without) has been innovating and keeping consumers intrigued by using Single Barrel programs. Now, Tequila distillery Partida, the original additive-free Tequila, has announced that Master Tequilero José Valdez has crafted 30 unique barrels of their award-winning and highly regarded añejo for a single-barrel programme of their own. Each barrel will have unique tasting notes, making each one special and highly collectable for tequila aficionados.To find out more, we talk to Valdez about barrels, barrel sections and what this new programme will mean for consumers
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33:08
Bringing Sustainability Into Your Glass With Aspen Vodka
When you think about Aspen, your mind probably goes to beautiful snow-covered ski runs and the jet-set taking their winter holidays on the slopes. And why not? Aspen has some of the best and most prestigious mountains for skiing and snowboarding in the world.But what if your mind instead went to Vodka? This is what Aspen Vodka is hoping your mind will do. With their use of pure ingredients and their deep appreciation for the mountain terroir, Aspen Vodka is looking to embody the essence of sustainability and luxury at one of the world's leading carbon-negative distilleries.To find out more, we talk to Jerod Day, Aspen Vodka’s Director of Distilling Operations, about purity, sustainability, and creating a luxury Vodka in an overcrowded market.
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20:46
Crafting the Soul of Tequila With Almave, a Non-Alcoholic Agave Spirit
Like so many of us, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has a fondness for Tequila, but also, like many of us, he understands the advantages of imbibing less. But finding a good non-alc Tequila is not as simple as it sounds. So Hamilton did the next logical thing - he created his own. In an endeavour to honour the tradition and craft of real Tequila, he partnered with Casa Lumbre, an innovative Mexican spirit company and its distiller and co-owner Ivan Saldaña. The two them crafted Almave, which is marketed as the first non-alcoholic blue agave-based spirit distilled in Jalisco Mexico. The liquid has been designed to provide an alcohol-free alternative without compromising traditional tequila's authentic taste and cultural essence.To find out more, we talk to the distiller and co-owner of Casa Lumbre about Blue Agave and retaining the taste of Blue Agave without fermentation.
At Cocktails Distilled want to help you to make cocktails at home. In this podcast, we talk to distillers and makers about particular varietals they have created - what they are, why they created them and, more importantly, in what cocktails that particular expression works best. So if there is a brand of gin, whiskey or whatever, that you've been thinking of buying, then we can help you know more about it and exactly how to use it.
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