Ten for '10: The Best New Spirits of the Year

2010 was a silly year for cocktails. From bacon-infused everything to meals-in-a-glass to beer cocktails to my own (failed) attempt at creating a cocktail trend, it was clear that, at least for the time being, original ideas were valued at least as much as good ones, if not more so.

For spirits, however, the last year has been a dilly, a doozy, a real humdinger. In other words, spectacular. A ridiculously gushing torrent of new bottlings has hit the shelves of liquor stores and bars worldwide. Scores of talented and dedicated innovators are taking the plunge and bottling new and exciting concoctions. I can't say how many new brands hit the market in 2010. And of course, there were plenty of ridiculous entrants in the booze sweepstakes every year, from the latest flavored vodka to the bright green liqueur made, I kid you not, from "decocainised coca leaves." I have no idea how many of them I've tried -- it seems like dozens, if not hundreds or possibly thousands.

But these ten stuck with me. They run the gamut from light to dark spirits, Scotch to tequila, gin to rum, large corporate distillers to brand new low-budget startups. The only thing they have in common is that they're all delicious. And you don't have to forget about your old favorites in order to love these new spirits -- you just have to make more room in your liquor cabinet for all of them.

So, without further ado, here are...

MY TOP TEN NEWLY-INTRODUCED SPIRITS OF 2010 (meaning spirits that were first made widely available in the USA in 2010 -- don't hold it against me if something I mentioned was available in a mom-and-pop store in Minsk in 2009...)

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10. Whipper Snapper Oregon Whiskey

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WHIPPER SNAPPER OREGON WHISKEY: Only a distiller who really knows what he's doing could get away with creating a whiskey like this. Fortunately, Ransom Spirits' Tad Seestedt is that distiller. He slowly mixes up malted barley and unaged "white dog" corn whiskey in an old-school pot still to create a hybrid of Scotch and bourbon. Then he lightly ages the concoction (less than two years) in new barrels, used whiskey barrels, and even used pinot noir barrels. It starts off like a young, vibrant Scotch before segueing into the sweet, slightly wild white dog flavor, with a nice clean finish. Seestedt describes it as "hi-falutin." I call it oddly compelling -- it's fun to play with in cocktails, and even more fun to sip it neat, especially with friends who have no idea what you're pouring for them.

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WHIPPER SNAPPER OREGON WHISKEY: Only a distiller who really knows what he's doing could get away with creating a whiskey like this. Fortunately, Ransom Spirits' Tad Seestedt is that distiller. He slowly mixes up malted barley and unaged "white dog" corn whiskey in an old-school pot still to create a hybrid of Scotch and bourbon. Then he lightly ages the concoction (less than two years) in new barrels, used whiskey barrels, and even used pinot noir barrels. It starts off like a young, vibrant Scotch before segueing into the sweet, slightly wild white dog flavor, with a nice clean finish. Seestedt describes it as "hi-falutin." I call it oddly compelling -- it's fun to play with in cocktails, and even more fun to sip it neat, especially with friends who have no idea what you're pouring for them.

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As always, if there are any new spirits you think I missed -- and believe me, given the number of newbies this year, I must have missed some -- this is your space. Let your fellow readers know which new spirits floated your boat this year. I'll be reading, taking notes, and hunting down bottles, believe me....

 

Follow Tony Sachs on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RetroManNYC

Comments

[fredvh]

03:38 PM on 01/13/2011

I know it's not new in the past year, but I will stick to Templeton Rye.
Maybe I am just biased since i live in Templeton.
It has been round on the black market for 100 years, and only legally for less than 5.

[IamCool]

09:04 PM on 01/16/2011

Actually, Fred - Templeton is a new rye. The 'Templeton' rye that you're speaking of was the rye that was made or went through Templeton, Iowa during prohibition - this is something totally different.

That said, it's very tasty. Get it if you can find it.

[fredvh]

08:31 AM on 01/17/2011

well, I live in templeton, so i can get the stuff the farmers make. there are still a few out there.
I am not sure why, but i have friends all over the midwest who can't get it. they say it sells out fast and there are waiting lists in their stores.
but at our local grocery stores and liquor stores, there is always some around.

i live about 3 blocks from where they bottle it (they actually distill it in indiana), and their gift shop doesn't carry it. it was illegal for them to sell any until recently, even though wineries and brewers could sell their product. but they decided since many stores run out, they would rather get their product out to the stores instead of keeping it in their shop.

[kolsyrad]

07:14 AM on 01/11/2011

Managed to hold of a bottle of newly launched Heering Coffee Liqueur yesterday. I confess to being a bit of a fan of Cherry Heering, but what about coffee? I often find line extensions disappointing, but I must say they pulled it off. Heering Coffee was nothing short of delicious. The flavor is very potent and I liked it being high proof. Is it the best coffee liqueur on the market? Don't know, haven't tried them all. But I can tell you it is miles ahead of the standards like Kahlua and Tia Maria. Patron Café is really good, but choosing between the two I'd go for Heering which is rum based (I'm not a huge tequila fan).

[lmab]

10:04 PM on 01/08/2011

Eagle Rare bourbon.....MMMMM!

[onceler]

11:24 AM on 01/07/2011

I think the Breuckelen gin beats the Brooklyn gin by a mile. Tastes unlike any other gin I've had...

[LushAngeles]

03:06 PM on 01/04/2011

I wouldn't say that Avion was "astonishingly good". I would say it's "surprisingly not abhorrent".

[IamCool]

09:04 PM on 01/16/2011

As usual, LushAngles is correct.

[martinigroove]

12:34 PM on 01/04/2011

"don't hold it against me if something I mentioned was available in a mom-and-pop store in Minsk in 2009...)"

Ah! You know your audience well!!

[Luke Thompson]

07:15 AM on 01/02/2011

Cool article. I thought people drank Maker's because it was cheap but not TOO cheap...

[sski74]

11:48 PM on 01/01/2011

Had High West Rendezvous Rye (made in Park City, UT) this week and it's worth the try! I am not a rye fan until I had this one. Definitely worth the $37 a bottle. Excellent with apple cider infused with cinnamon and cloves (boil apple cider with a handful of cloves and cinnamon, let cool).

[IamCool]

09:05 PM on 01/16/2011

Most Rendevous is not made there - most is purchased from a distillery in Kentucky...

[tundratraveler]

06:39 PM on 12/31/2010

I think you missed a great opportunity with the Permafrost Vodka line-up. Made in Alaska it is spectacular and worthy of your list.

[martinigroove]

12:35 PM on 01/04/2011

Yes, because there just aren't enough vodkas getting recognition out there.

[patman77]

05:34 PM on 12/31/2010

avion and combier, a french tangerine like liquor make for finest margaritas combier is better than grand marnier or contreux although no cheaper.

[Ishmael1]

04:06 PM on 12/31/2010

Well, here's MY favorite in the spirits category:

http://www.germain-robin.com/

They make the finest brandy in the world, their own grappas, a new crop of apple brandies similar to Calvados only much smoother and are working on a new pear brandy as well. Their cheapest brandy is equivalent in quality to Remy-Martin Fine champagne or Hennesy's VSOP. Check them out. You WON'T be sorry.

Here's a link to a local Ukiah Journal piece on the distillery:

http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/news/ci_16896653?source=rss

[martinigroove]

12:35 PM on 01/04/2011

Great call! I love their stuff. Their absinthe is one of the best in the business.

[Jamesb333]

04:01 PM on 12/31/2010

Old Radiator is still the best petroleum mash whiskey in Southern Ohio. Yes, there are hints of antifreeze that sweeten the after echo, but the experience is always breathtaking, some might say mind numbing.

[monstersfromtheid]

01:48 PM on 12/31/2010

Given that New Year - or Hogmanay - celebrated most fervently on Scotland I would have expected more than one Scotch.

[GeeBee]

12:07 PM on 01/04/2011

My opinion as a drinker of whisky for the last 50 years is that this business of trying new casks to alter the sacred dew has now jumped the shark. If you want a rum flavor, why not just buy, oh, I dunno, RUM?

[martiniandabotoxchaser]

01:27 PM on 12/31/2010

Interesting that the old booze is making a comeback....not a big vodka year.

[EricBishop]

04:15 PM on 12/31/2010

So called "premium" vodkas are for overly pretentious people with whom you'd never want to pass a bottle of it around.

[vader42]

05:20 PM on 12/31/2010

Yes, finally! There are still 300 new vodkas every month, but seems like people are starting to "get it." And EricBishop, I agree with you also, but there are exceptions, like Karlsson's Gold (virgin new potatoes, NOT for your standard vodka drinker) and even more amazing in fact, that just got here this year is the FAIR Quinoa. That's right, fair trade quinoa vodka. I kid you not, and this is coming from a going-out-of-my-way-to-avoid-vodka person, it's one of the better things I've tasted all year. It's like white lightning, but with far more refined heat. Hard to describe, but I ended up buying it and putting it up on my whisky shelf. I then ended up getting their fair trade coffee liqueur as well, commented on that too. Two best new things this year (plus a fair trade white russian? yes)! I got mine at klwines.com - best price I've found. Happy new year, indeed.

[Sibil]

12:35 PM on 12/31/2010

Avion Tequila?? Give me a break..

If it isnt Chinaco Anejo tequila it isnt.......