104 MINIBAR
1 Crafting one of its most elegant and esteemed blends to date, Ballantine’ s has released its coveted Ballantine’ s 40 Year Old pedigree Scotch whisky in Asia. Limited to just 100 bottles per year, each priced at US $ 7,000, the new blend is a the fruition of a dream by founder George Ballantine to produce an exceptional whisky which would carry the family name. Blended by Ballantine’ s fifth Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, this unique spirit is crafted from portions taken from hand-selected casks, which are then hand-blended by the Master Distiller himself. On the nose, the whisky is bursting with flavours of ripe, fruity, pears in syrup intermingled with rich fruitcake and background hints of cinnamon and root ginger, while on tasting, the liquid imparts multi-layered flavours of intense toffee and caramel, plus, sweet soft red apple. www. ballantines. com
2 Organic seems to be in vogue, with producers around the world reaching for top quality organic ingredients for their innovative spirits. Tru Organic Spirits’ Tru Gin is just such a drop. Part of the group’ s organic, sustainable collection of spirits and liqueurs, Tru Gin is a small batch gin that uses 14 whole botanicals macerated in layers into an organic wheat base spirit. Unlike many other gins, Tru is not re-distilled after maceration in order to preserve the rich flavour profile of its botanicals, which include juniper berries, fresh lemon zest, angelica root, orris root, coriander seeds, cardamom, cloves, fennel, cinnamon, allspice and star anise as well as lavender, vanilla and chamomile. The green feel good extends to the packaging; bottles use are 25 percent less glass and labels
1 are printed on tree-free corn 2 fiber using vegetable-based inks. www. greenbar. biz
Spr in g Spir its
8
8 Not to be outdone by the likes of Sweden and Poland, Iceland has jumped feet first into the luxury vodka scene with Reyka, a hand-crafted spirit made in the former Viking village of Borgarnes. Produced in small 235-case batches, with pure water from the Grabök Spring, and distilled in a rare Carter Head still before being filtered through 4,000-year old lava rocks – of which Iceland has more than its fair share – this award-winning drop features a deliciously pure flavour profile that includes hints of rose, lavender and even cedar. Look for the refreshingly clean, mellow, citrus finish that makes it idea for elegant classic cocktails like martinis and gimlets. www. reyka. com 7
7 In the latest of its flavoured sensations, Absolut Vodka has created Absolut Hibiskus, a premium floral flavored vodka with rich aromas of hibiscus and pomegranate that’ s perfectly suited for spring-time cocktails. This sensational new vodka boasts aromas of exotic hibiscus fused with ripe and round notes of freshly sliced pomegranate, with a sophisticated tang from the hibiscus found on the palate. Try Absolut Hibiskus with soda in a tall sprinter, or as a base for a fruity martini that’ s both playful and sophisticated at the same time. www. absolut. com
www. jetsetter. hk