Review: Indy Spirits Expo 2009 at Touch Nightclub in NYC
On June 24, the Indy Spirits Expo was held at Touch nightclub in New York City, where distillers, brand owners, and importers of a variety of small batch, unique and artisinal spirits from around the world gathered to share and taste their products. Among the spirits showcased were vodkas, gins, rums, whiskies, absinthes and liqueurs, and the brands represented distilleries from across the United States and abroad. Bar Business Magazine was able to attend the celebration and talk with some of the 
exhibitors about what they had in store.
Cognac Ferrand USA Inc. was present to offer attendants a taste of the French distiller’s Citadelle Gin and Citadelle Gin Reserve, the former of which is made with 19 different botanicals and the latter version of which is aged for 6 months in the 25-year old cognac barrels used to make the company’s namesake spirit. The very smooth gin was well-served straight up, but tasted great in a cocktail made with lemon-lime juice and some Peache mathilde liqueur, also distilled by Cognac Ferrand.
LOFT Organic Liqueurs, the first of their kind in the U.S., are sweetened only with natural flavors and 
agave nectar. At their table were samplings of four flavors all inspired by the sweet Italian liqueur Limoncello – Lavender, Lemon Grass, Spicy Ginger and Tangerine. Each had its own distinct flavor profile and will make a great ingredient in an cocktail recipe.
Castries Rum Cream had one of the most popular tables at the event – their peanut rum cream blends premium roasted peanuts with award-winning St. Lucian rum. The samples were served cold and straight, but the spirit itself would make a great addition to any cooling summer cocktail or desert menu.
Long Island Distilleries, Long Island, NY, brought its LiV (pronounced “live”) 
vodka, while Maine Distilleries, LLC, Freeport, Maine, showcased its Cold River Vodka in both the classic and Blueberry flavored varieties. Both brands are made from potatoes native to their respective states. Cold River received a double gold medal at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while LiV recently opened up a magnificent tasting room at the Distillery, which is on Long Island’s wine trail.
Another vodka – this one from Slovakia – is produced using pure Tatra Mountain spring water and early-harvest Winter wheat. Double Cross vodka is seven-times distilled and further purified using a unique diamond dust filtration process – and its unique rectangular packaging design with Slovakian poetry printed on the back of the bottle sets it apart from other brands on the back bar as it sits in its own light up stand.
Mata Hari Absinthe, is a “Bohemian-Style” version of the illusive “green fairy.” They’ve reduced the amount of aniseed in the recipe resulting in a product without the dominant licorice taste. This particular version of the spirit was very smooth and enjoyable right out of the Absinthe fountain, but because of the reduced potency, also makes a great addition to a mixed cocktail.
Tanteo Tequila was offering samples and a 
educational lesson in flavor-infused tequilas. The brand’s Tropical product is based on its ultra-premium, 100% agave blanco recipe, then infused with mango, pineapple and guyanabana and a hint of jalapeño. Tanteo Jalapeño-Infused Tequila made with spicy Margaritas in mind, infused with cocoa beans and jalapeño.
Since its founding in 1834, Combier has remained throughout history as an independent, family-owned producer of ultra-premium distilled alcoholic beverages (Jean-Baptiste Combier invented the original orange liqueur formula, commonly known as triple sec, in 1834). Its signature liqueur d’orange is an excellent complementary addition to fruit-based beer cocktails, or any other cocktail recipe requiring a citrus ingredient.
Tuthilltown Distilleries was also on hand, offering samples of its popular whiskey products. Luckily Bar Business Magazine was able to try their Rum, which will be featured in “Liquid Assets: Rum” in the upcoming July/August issue.
Click here for more information on Indy Spirits Expo and all of the other great independent spirits that were present.
