Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini

Boardroom Spirits recently launched three 750 ml bottled cocktails – Winter Citrus Crush, Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini, and the Hot Toddy – available through March. Each ready-to-drink product provides 6-8 cocktails depending on strength and pour.

Winter Citrus Crush (20% ABV) blends the distilleries’ signature award-winning vodka, orange liqueur and lime, grapefruit, and blood orange juices with all-natural cane sugar.

Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini (18% ABV) combines the same award-winning signature vodka, hazelnut, and orange liqueurs, amaro, and local cold-brewed coffee.

Hot Toddy (22% ABV) marries both the distilleries’ bourbon and rye whiskeys, its cinnamon honey whiskey, Firebear, blanc vermouth, fresh lemon juice, and dark brown demerara sugar. Sippers are encouraged to enjoy the drink by mixing it with equal parts of hot water for a classic Hot Toddy experience.

“We genuinely enjoy everything we do at Boardroom and exploring new flavor profiles using the freshest, highest-quality, all-natural, and unique ingredients for cocktails is at the top of that lengthy list,” said co-owner Marat Mamedov. “The launch of these three delicious cocktails is our way of seasonally saying to those who support us Happy New Year and we promise great things to come in the near future.

Headquartered in Lansdale, Boardroom Spirits is a sustainable, family-owned craft-distillery offering unique drinking experiences to consumers. The addition of celebrity Chef and Co-owner Robert Irvine reflects the distillery’s commitment to providing “better for you” spirits using real ingredients with zero artificial flavors, food coloring, preservatives, or sweeteners. The distillery’s strengthened commitment to sustainability and zero waste includes a bottle recycling program, upcycling citrus peels from ready-to-drink bottled cocktails to flavor their spirits and the installation of solar panels which help reduce the distillery’s overall carbon footprint.

GSN’s Thoughts: These are three entirely different cocktails that each have a balanced and expressive flavor.

First, the Winter Citrus Crush fits neatly into the classic sour category and is tart, refreshing and gives you a blast of summer sunshine. It is perhaps less sweet than we would make at home, but that is a positive, as many RTD’s are overly sweet and only fresh squeezed citrus can redeem them. We definitely prefer this version. GSN Rating: A-
Second, the Hot Toddy is just what the doctor ordered during these frigid winter months. We heated 3 ounces of water along with 3 ounces of Hot Toddy and added a lemon twist. A warming blend of whiskey and spice, the flavor is spot on and spicy. A perfect winter warmer to have at the end of a day. GSN Rating: A
Lastly, the Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini has a natural, chocolate/coffee flavor with a hint of nut. Again, not overly sweet, but dry and dark with an espresso bite. We found that this one needed less dilution than the others. GSN Rating: B+

Overall, these are excellent cocktails that will fit the bill from brunch through after dinner. Only two potential issues that wed like to mention. The cocktails separate in the bottle and you absolutely need to shake the bottle a few times to reintegrate the ingredients before serving, both for flavor and appearance. Also, the bottles are exceptionally tall and would not fit in our chilled beverage cabinet standing up. We had to lay them flat to keep them refrigerated as the label suggests. It would be nice if the bottles were more accommodating.

For more information or to order go to: Boardroom Spirits

Coalition Whiskey, a new series of rye whiskies finished in Bordeaux barrels, has launched in seven states across the U.S. The brand, created by former Russian Standard USA CEO Leonid Yangarber, was distilled at Kentucky Artisan Distillery and enters the market with three expressions—one finished in Margaux barrels and bottled at 45.4% abv, another finished in Pauillac barrels and bottled at 46.3% abv, and one finished in Sauternes barrels bottled at 47.1% abv—all retailing for $90 a 750-ml. In addition, the brand’s unfinished rye is available at barrel strength (54.4% abv) for $130. The whiskies are rolling out now in New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, Kentucky, Illinois, and Colorado.

Double Cross Vodka has launched a new ad campaign and redesigned bottle. The campaign, Dare to Differ, will debut online and on social media channels throughout the first quarter. The new bottle abandons the brand’s original rectangular shape for one with sloped shoulders and an easy-to-handle neck while retaining Double Cross’ etched and metallic branding. The new bottles are rolling out now in 750-ml. and 1-liter bottles ($35 and $40, respectively), with 50-ml. and 1.75-liter bottles to follow in the third quarter. Double Cross vodka is produced from estate grown Slovakian wheat and is imported by Old Nassau Imports.

MGP Ingredients has announced the 2021 iteration of Rossville Union Rye’s single barrel release. This year, the company is offering rye whiskies distilled from three mashbills (up from two for the 2020 edition) and bottled at cask strength. The release is available to pre-order until March 15 and will be delivered to retailers and other accounts by August. MPG is hosting virtual tastings so that interested customers can choose their preferred mashbill and will also allow buyers to customize the whiskey’s label.

Lansdale, Pennsylvania’s Boardroom Spirits has released three new bottled cocktails. First up is Winter Citrus Crush ($38), a 20% abv cocktail made with vodka and orange liqueur along with lime, grapefruit, and blood orange juices. The second release, Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini ($42), comes in at 18% abv and blends vodka, orange liqueur, and hazelnut liqueur with amaro and locally made cold brew coffee. The last cocktail is Boardroom’s Hot Toddy, made with Bourbon, rye, and cinnamon whiskies, vermouth, lemon, demerara sugar, and blanc vermouth. It’s bottled at 22% abv and sells for $38.

Tanteo Tequila has launched a new Espero expression. Retailing at $30 a 1-liter, Espero is a 100%-agave blanco bottling aimed at the premium well Tequila segment. It’s rolling out nationwide both on- and off-premise. Tanteo is known for its higher proof Blanco offering as well as three spicy expressions infused with hand-cut peppers: Jalapeño, Chipotle, and Habanero.

MGP Ingredients has announced its George Remus Bourbon single barrel releases for 2021. Now available for pre-order (through March 15), they were distilled from two different mashbills. This year’s George Remus single barrels will be bottled at cask strength and buyers can attend virtual tastings with MGP to choose between the available barrels. The 2021 single barrel release of George Remus Bourbon allows retailers to customize the whiskey’s label and orders will be fulfilled by September.

Glen Rock, New Jersey’s Opici Wines has entered the non-alcoholic beverage space with MeMento, a new sugar-, gluten-, and alcohol-free spirit. The Italian import is also vegan and is described as a distilled aromatic water, made from rosemary, rose, and bay laurel, among other botanicals. MeMento is now available across the U.S. for around $37 a 750-ml.