Distilled Spirit Reviews

This year has been an interesting one for the launch of distilled spirits. We did not see too many "ordinary" liquors appear on the market, but instead have seen more boutique and completely unique tequilas, gins, and whiskies. Infusions were still a big hit, though we didn't see too many infused vodkas, which was a nice change of pace.

2008 was another great year for intriguing distilled spirit releases covering every major liquor type with innovative techniques and special bottlings. Trends of the year seem to be leaning toward organic, "green" production, special aging, and those controversial caffeinated spirits.

Yet another year passes and yet another opportunity to look back on new products that are enhancing the adult beverage industry. This was a phenomenal year for distilled spirit innovations complete with new brands and some of the legends of distilling.

The rise in popularity for cocktails spurred the market to release innovative, new, high quality spirits in 2006 because, as everyone knows, the drink is only as good as the ingredients inside it.

The Ultimate Margarita by 1800 Tequila is the first premium pre-mixed margarita available. Everything you need for a light margarita is right in the bottle, the only thing you need is ice.

Bacardi has released a pre-mixed Mojito cocktail. The rum, mint and lime juice are all included in the bottle and all you have to do is pour and drink. It's not a real Mojito, but it's close.

Domaine Charbay has released two aperitif wines, Green Tea and Pomegranate. These ready to drink bottlings are perfect for easy, refreshing before dinner drinks complete with the grace of the Charbay craft.

The first three flavors in a new line of DeKuyper liqueurs, the Burst Bar Shots are a set of ready to drink shots. For a Kamikaze, a Redheaded Slut or a Washington Apple in a bottle there is now an easy option.

A sweet and sour schnapps, DeKuyper Island Blue Pucker is has the flavor of a blend of fruits that does not even remotely taste good and has the potential to ruin drinks.

Released in late 2006, Ecstasy is a unique, high-proof liqueur with the flavor of pomegranate and citrus along with natural stimulants such as taurine and guarana.

A delightful brandy-based orange liqueur from Trieste, Italy that is comparable to Grand Marnier. It is blended with sun-ripened Mediterranean oranges and the combination of that citrus with the Italian VSOP creates a lovely, rich liqueur

Hiram Walker produces a seasonal flavor of liqueur with the flavor of gingerbread that makes it easy to get one of the favorite flavors of the holiday season in cocktails.

Hiram Walker has released a seasonal flavor called Pumpkin Spice. While this is only available during the holiday season it does fill a niche for a favorite cocktail, the Pumpkin Martini.

La Fee Absinthe is a very nice example of traditional absinthe and is the first to be distilled in France since the liqueur's ban was lifted.

Limonce Limoncello liqueur is a product of Triest, Italy and is a very sweet, rich lemon-flavored liqueur. For this limoncello sun-ripened lemons from the Mediterranean, resulting in a sweet, delicate body.

Loft Lavender Cello is a certified organic liqueur produced by New Deal Distillery that is semi-sweet and infused with the refreshing herbal flavor of lavender.

PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur is the first true pomegranate-flavored liqueur available. This premium liqueur is a great way to add the sweet, tart flavor of the pomegranate fruit to a variety of cocktails.

Sake2Me is a sparkling sake drink that is available in four flavors including Asian Pear, Ginger-Mango, Green Tea and Yuzu Citrus. These single serving bottles are ready to drink and a premium upgrade from the variety of popular malt beverages.

Square One Botanical Spirit is a unique liquor that is certified organic with a rye base and is infused with eight fruits and herbs.

Starbucks, the biggest chain of coffee shops in the world, has stepped into the distilled market with two liqueurs. The Cream Liqueur and Coffee Liqueur produced by Starbucks bring the taste of the company's coffees, lattes and espressos into the cocktail world and are perfect for creating coffee flavored drinks.

TY KU Liqueur is a sake and Asian vodka based liqueur with over 20 all natural fruits and botanicals, all of which add health benefits to the spirit. This new distilled spirit is one to know and can easily become your favorite new liqueur.

TY KU Soju is a distilled spirit from barley that is designed after the traditional Korean liquor but produced in Japan and now available in the United States.

The Vodkastick is a home filtering device that allows users to purchase a less-expensive bottle of liquor, filter out the impurities and enjoy a cleaner tasting drink.

A luscious pink liqueur from France that infuses mango, Provence blood oranges and passion fruit in premium vodka.

LIQ Bars are frozen cocktails on a stick and the debut flavors of Margarita and Strawberry Daiquiri are amazingly similar to the real thing so you can enjoy your favorite frozen cocktails in an unusual form.