Monthly Archives: December 2012

Don Quixote Brandy

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Don Quixote Brandy

Spirit de Santa Fe Brandy is family distilled by Don Quixote, along with many other tasty products, in Northern New Mexico. Brandy is the result of distilling wine and along with cognac, which is simply brandy from a specific region in France, it’s the most popular companion to a lit cigar.

Don Quixote is proud that their products are all-natural, without added color: “We do not add any chemicals, flavorings, or coloring to our spirits after distillation. At Don Quixote, we give you what God and nature provided us.”

Spirit de Santa Fe Brandy is available at retail in New Mexico and from the distillery for $35 and it’s a tasty, natural, smooth spirit that you’ll enjoy after dinner. Straight, brandy is usually served in a snifter (see photo above), so your hand can warm the spirit slightly as you drink. The most popular brandy cocktail is a Sidecar:

Sidecar

  • 2 oz brandy
  • 1 oz triple sec (orange liqueur)
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass
  • garnish with a lemon wedge or rind

Big Gin

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Big Gin

Big Gin is the first product distilled by Captive Spirits in Seattle, Washington, with its first batch of gin distilled this year (2012). The only distillery in the Ballard neighborhood, Captive sells Big Gin at the distillery and throughout Washington at several retailers.

Gin always contains juniper, but it’s the combination of herbs, spices, and flavors that makes each brand unique. Big Gin is the spiciest gin I’ve ever tried: though it starts with juniper, it finishes with a big cinnamon/clove finish. Oh, now I get the name! Big Gin is bold and flavorful, certainly not as mild as Hendrick’s or Caorunn. Whiskey lovers may want to buy a bottle of Big if they haven’t yet found a gin they like.

My favorite way to drink Big Gin is on the rocks with an orange slice, and I imagine I may drink the whole bottle this way. Here’s a simple martini variation featuring Big Gin:

Big Martini (by Greg Mays)

  • 2 1/2 oz Big Gin
  • splash of dry vermouth
  • 2 dashes of orange bitters
  • stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass
  • garnish with an orange peel twist