March Spirits
This month, we decided to go “off the rails” a little. Maybe it’s just a hectic time of year for us, or possibly we just had such a variety of things to taste and attend to, or we just didn’t want to try to predict what the weather would be like in Alberta this March. So, we sort of dared each other to share some different things that we still wanted to recommend for the bold, the adventurous, and maybe the bored too!
We’ve scoured the European continent for some different things like Armagnac and amaro, a pair of great vodkas, but also vermouth from Spain and an exciting liqueur from Italy too – try something a little different, try a cocktail or two, and happy spring everyone!
Compagnia dei Caraibi Salvia & Limone Liqueur, Italy
This hugely aromatic and delicious liqueur comes from Turin, where sage and lemon were used for digestives after the meal, with a ‘secret’ (of course!) family recipe from 1837, passed down through the generations. There’s no mistaking the flavours, it delivers exactly what it promises – slightly sweet/bitter sage and lemon - just chill it down with an ice cube, or better still - using it wherever you’d use limoncello. We’d marinate our chicken with it too and add it to our sage and onion stuffing!
​
CSPC 895692 About $55
Olave Reserva Especial Rojo Vermouth, Spain
A Spanish vermouth to refresh a tired palate! Absolutely loaded with intense botanicals, spice and wood notes, but also, and perhaps most important is the level of integration between all the different layers – this evolves well in the glass and even between sips gradually letting bright, sour citrus notes to really dominate. Very well made, and easy to envision in some adventurous cocktails too or on the neater side, chilled, with a splash of soda.
​
CSPC 114795 $32-35
Saint Vivant V.S.O.P Armagnac, France
Far less well known than its big brother Cognac, (only 1.4 percent of the production) and 400 k to the south, yet made from the same varietals of Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Baco Blanc, this "Very Superior Old Pale" (so we know it’s aged at least four years in oak) is in the easily recognizable original ‘crooked bottle’ of 1559. The single distillation in a special column still produces a complex and silky smooth brandy with aromas of fig and mandarin peel, and fruity, baked pie flavours – a beautiful sipper with (for me) some Roquefort!
​
CSPC 705407 $68-71
Kástra EliÏŒn Vodka, Greece
Ok, this is a little different, a Greek vodka, made with olives, distilled and blended with some grains to make something truly unique. Quite aromatic on the nose with stronger mineral characters, and some aromas akin to fresh olive, where on the palate the spirit is a bit brighter, and more intense than we often see for vodkas around 40 percent ABV with stronger mineral and brine presence. This would, quite obviously, make an excellent (nice and dirty) martini, or something really special in the hands of a good mixologist.
​
CSPC 109285 $95-100
Vecchio Amaro del Capo Peperoncino, Italy
Wow, what a crazily amazing drink! Imagine Vecchio Amaro del Capo, one of Italy’s (and Canada’s) most popular amari, with its 29 botanicals of herbs and spices, and add local chili peppers to it – and what do you get? This liqueur of Calabrian herbs with hot chili peppers, beloved of bartenders! Use it to make a spicy negroni, Calabrian Mule, and eat aged cheese with it (so good!). Keep it in the freezer (or in the snow!) to enjoy at -20° C, and chill your glasses in the freezer too. A must for lovers of spicy food – just don’t spill it on your clothes!
​
CSPC 832187 About $49
Kavka Estate Vodka, Poland
Leaning into a strong tradition of vodka making, Poland is top of the game when it comes to high quality spirit that balance neutrality and flavour. A blend of rye and wheat in the mash, the nose is very subtle with good spice, a wee bit of fruit, and minerals, but it’s something that sings on the palate with peppery spice, a touch of citrus, and a lengthy, silky finish. An excellent spirit for vodka based cocktails or easy mixed drinks.
CSPC 899599 $37-40