Staff Pick
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Bloody Maria
2 oz. Cimarron Silver Tequila $16 Dash of sea salt
4 oz. Real Dill Bloody Mary Mix $10 2 twists of cracked black pepper
½ oz. wasabi or horseradish Pinch celery seed
1 Real Dill Habanero Horsradish Pickle $12 Squirt of Siracha
2 Santa Barbara Bleu Cheese Olives $7 1tsp Real Dill Pickle brine
¼ oz. Dijon mustard Lime wedge for garnish
Are you ready for this? You better like it spicy! I use silver tequila for mixed drinks and aged tequila for sipping. The silver allows the true essence of the spirit to expose itself in the beverage. (If you know what I mean ;0) ). Real Dill Bloody Mary’s base is cucumber water, which converts to a lighter base for the spices and pairs well with the early morning palate. It awakens the taste buds. Your third-trimester pregnant wife who is ready to deliver can join you for a pickle. It would only take one of these to do the trick. They are aged with habanero pepper and horseradish, giving them a kick.
The Cimarron Silver Tequila is made from blue agave grown in the hillsides of Jalisco at an elevation of 4,620’. In multiple blinds it has scored above some of the major brands. A definite must have for blending.
If you haven’t had any of the Real Dill products YOU NEED TO CHECK THEM OUT NOW! This stuff will amaze you. My wife won’t stop eating the Habanero Horseradish Dills. I have to admit it’s hard for me not to grab one from time to time either. I can drink this stuff on its own, no need for the booze, but that’s the best part, right? In this case, though, the mix might be as good as the booze.
Abita Strawberry
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With the weather being so generous, why not enjoy some refreshing beer? Abita Strawberry has been great for all these wonderful afternoons we are having. Nicely paired with Colorado Sunshine. The great thing about this beer is the fruit is soft and not overwhelming. It is a limited release, so come get some before they’re gone!
Manhattan
1oz Michter’s Rye
1/2oz Carpano Antica Vermouth
3 dashes of Fee’s Orange Bitters 1 sugar cube
2 Luxardo Maraschino Cherries $18.49 Splash of Soda
I like to use rye in this cocktail, because I like the spiciness of it instead of using bourbon, which is a touch sweeter. It is the pre-prohibition style. Michter’s uses a unique “Heat Cycling” system; wherein, they cycle the barrels from warmer to cooler temperatures, allowing the whiskey to soak in and out of the barrel while absorbing caramelized sugars from the charred wood. Michter’s whiskies are one of the best buys I’ve found. Very hard to beat!
Carpano Antica Vermouth has to be the best vermouth out there. Always in stock at the Schmidt Tavern. Made from Piedmont’s muscatel and other wines from southern Italy as well as Italian herbs from the local mountains. Created by Benedetto Carpano in 1786 and still kickin’ it. It may be something to try on its own to get the full profile but has a vanilla raisin nose with dates, anise, clementine, and dried apricot palate.
Something else to try is real maraschino cherries, Luxardo, these things are addicting. Once you try them you’ll never go back to those bleached and colored bar types. Originally produced in 1905 in Zara Austria, soaking in Marasca cherry syrup (the same cherries cultivated for Luxardo Maraschino liqueur), these are a must have in anyone’s home bar.
Americano
1 1/2oz Cappelletti Vino Aperitivo $18 Blood Orange garish
1 1/2oz Carpano Antica Vermouth $32 1 1/2oz Col Solivo Extra Dry $14
When you want it, Campari is not always available and sometimes you have to try something else. Think of Cappelletti when in need! You may just switch once you do. A little more refreshing, less bitter, and less herbaceous than Campari. That’s probably why I like it better. In this cocktail Carpano is bitter enough. Produced outside of Trento, Italy, and historically used in a spritz, Cappelletti is very affordable and can find a home in every household.
Classic Margarita
2oz Cimarron Silver Tequila $16 1oz Marie Brizard orange Curacao $23
2oz Fresh Lime Juice
Another great drink for all these sunny Colorado afternoons. The one thing I do preach about margaritas is to use fresh lime juice. I know it is more expensive, but well worth it and adds a nice fresh, coconut tone to the cocktail. As previously mentioned in the Bloody Maria post, I use silver tequilas in most mixed drinks, because I feel it lends itself to cocktails better than the aged tequilas. Aged tequilas are nice for sipping, a couple of ice cubes and a lime, done!
Italian Margarita
2oz Cimarron Silver Tequila $16 2oz Lazzaroni Amaretto $27
1oz Marie Brizard orange Curacao $23 4oz Fresh Lime Juice
Can you say yum yum?! I had to cut my wife off on this one. First, because I wanted some and second because I didn’t want to keep making them for her. What a refresher, though! Lazzaroni Amaretto has been in production since 1851 in Saronno, Italy. With a lower alcohol percentage than most amarettos, Lazzaroni is a true amaretto made from macaroons, embarking a wonderful dried tree fruit and almond palate. The amaretto adds a nice nutty tone to the cocktail. The sweetness of the amaretto lends itself nicely to the acidity of the cocktail. A great alternative for those of you who use agave nectar in your margaritas.
Jasmine
1 1/2oz Hayman's Old Tom Gin $27 1/2oz Fresh Liem Juice
1oz Marie Brizard orange Curacao $23 Lemon Twist garnish
3/4oz Cappelletti Vino Aperitivo $18
What a fun cocktail! I have started to really like Old Tom Gin, even though gin was my drink of choice for much of my 20’s. Old Tom Gin tends to be lighter and sweeter than London Dry. It’s nice to not taste a bunch of juniper berries in your glass. With this cocktail Old Tom Gin allows for the beverage to show the light bitterness of the Cappelletti and brings out some citrus notes embedded within the phenols of the drink. Hayman’s Old Tom has been distilled from a family recipe since the 1870’s. Unlike most other Old Tom Gins, Hayman’s is not aged in oak, giving it a more rounded and aromatic profile. A crowd favorite that I think most of us have forgotten about. Might be time to mix a batch for the Friday Afternoon Club.
Plantation 20th Anniversary XO Rum
Barbados, Caribbean
The sun's finally coming out and that means sunny fun. What better to pair with fun in the sun than rum.
Plantation 20th Anniversary is one of my new favorites. Awesome tropical tones of toasted coconuts, pineapple, banana, and liquid awesomeness come cresting into your beaktorial senses. Down the hatch is another bodacious experience of caramelized vanilla, phat (yup with a ph) coconut, and tranquility. An all-out observation of sophistication and worldliness.
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Diplomatico Anejo Rum
Venezuela
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Summer is rum time! Diplomatico is a good one for all of rums uses, sippin, mixin, shootin, or what ever the night might bring. I have been on a summer fun run and this just hits the spot. Even over ice tailgating for a concert. Nothing better to get the party started. Right!
I can't stop thinking of Pina Coladas now, great thanks! I know what I'm having tonight on the proch watching the sun go down (wishing I was on a beach though).
Distilled in a Column still and aged 4 years in barrel, Diplomatico shows wonderful expressions of dark cocao, toffee, caramel, and a hint of oak.
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Clement VSOP Rhum Agricole
Martinique, Caribbean
So you say you’d like a little more attitude with your rum. Well spell it with an rh, that’ll give it some attitude.
Clement VSOP is aged a minimum of four years in virgin Limousin barriques and re-charded bourbon barrels giving it a roasted cocoa and vanilla bean character. Out of the glass warm tones of caramel, exotic cooking spices, roasted nuts, and dried orange peel waft into your sniffer. Consumed through the kisser with warm crème brulee, coconut custard, slight black pepper, and finished with a touch of wet river rock.
This rhum screams sophistication, one for an ice cube and an orange peel.
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Gran Classico Bitter
Turin Bitter
Bern, Switzerland
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This s*** is amazing! I want to bath in it, make love to it, and then cuddle with it. It's an original Turin Bitter recipe dating back to the 1860's. 25 different herbs including wormwood, gentian, orange peel, rhubarb, and hyssop. No color added, the golden-amber color is from the maceration. A lot of orange peel, some rhubarb, followed by a touch of vanilla, then kissed with some sweetness. You name it Negroni, Sparkling Wine Spritzer, Seltzer, or on ice. Try some with cola or a light beer! You won't buy another bitter after this. Trust me!
Schmitty
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Contratto
Bitter
Canelli, Italy
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Beets and carrot give this all natural, slightly sweeter alternative to Campari its cherry and beet juice red color. Heady aromas of cloves, mint, anise, cardamom, gentian, and orange peel stand out in the beguiling bouquet. A slightly sweet beginning yields quickly to a vanilla tinged, long and pleasantly bitter finish.
Use Contratto Bitter in a Negroni, Americano, Boulevardier, or with soda. Happy aperitivo hour!
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Nonino
Grappa
Il Moscato
Friuli, Italy
Il Moscato di Nonino is an exceptionally elegant and aromatic grappa that greets the nose with rose, apricot, vanilla and acacia. Additional notes of dried stone fruits, nuts, candied citrus and a light herbaceousness round out the palate. A dazzling spirit indeed.
Though there are a number of grappa based coctails that would shine with Il Moscato as the star, I can't bring myself to dillute it! Sip this fine and smooth spirit after dinner or with a cream based dessert.
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Blake
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Brigaldara Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2009
Veneto, Italy
$68
Appellation: Valpolicella
Varietals: 50% Corvinone, 20% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% altre
Harvest: Hand, whole cluster
Vinification: Grapes are dried to raisin in crates for 120 days. Basket pressed, cold soaked on the skins.
Finish: One year in barrique, two years large barrel.
The Brigaldara Amarone is rich ruby and garnet in color.
Dark red fruit aromatics with layers of cocoa and spice.
The bouquet is echoed on the palate with cherries, chocolate and coffee.
Silky smooth, this rich red lingers on the tongue with a long tapering finish.
Drink now through 2030, this wine will benefit from age.
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Isastegi Sidra Natural
Basque, Spain
$6.75
Contents: Apples
Style: Dry Cider
From: Tolosa, Spain
Bone-dry and rustic, this cider is a feast for the senses. Cloudy and unfiltered, it has a golden yellow hue. Rustic barnyard bouquet of sour apples and cheese rind. Tart and focused on the palate, with flavors of baked apple, vinegar and pear. This would definetly fall into the "sour" category as there is quite a bit of perceivable brettanomyces. This cider brings the funk!
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Scaia
Corvina 2013
Veneto, Italy
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It's time to revisit Divino's best selling red. Come see what all the fuss is about.
Color; Dark purple plum with reflective highlights.
Bouquet; Currant, dark fruits & light spice.
Palate; Plush sweet fruits, plum, balsamic & lavender with a long, smooth finish.
Cynar
Amaro
Italy
If you are like me, you like to eat. I will eat 4, maybe 5 times a day if i can. Sometimes i overeat..big surprise.. given all the delicious cuisine here in Denver. The problem is, i am sometimes quite full. Insert Cynar Amaro here. It is quite the digestif. Known to settle the belly, we should look to our Italian friends for inspiration. Cynar is dark tawny brown in color. Arromatic with cherry cola, citrus, mint and herbs. Flavorful with cocoa, cola, and lemon pith, this digestif has a long, tapering bitter finish. Forget tumms and prilosec..get on board with Cynar. Circa 1952, the European digestif. Have me as a nightcap. Serve neat in a snifter, or mix with club soda and a orange slice. Digest, eat, repeat...
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Laphroaig 10 year
Scotch Whiskey
Islay, Scotland
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Color; Pale gold, amber
Bouquet; Smoky balsam, golden apple, pear, brine, medicinal. Evokes the sea. It smells like you doused a campfire with ocean water.
Palate; Soft, oily smokes. Sea salt, toffee, dried apricot and lozenge. This is very complex, yet very well made. Let Laphroaig warm you from the inside!
11/26/2015
Cascina Fontana
Dolcetto D' Alba 2013
Piedmont, Italy
$21
Color; Ruddy Claret
Bouquet; Cherry, masa, savory olive. The bouquet is reminiscent of tamale and pizza.
Palate; Smooth pitted fruits, mouthwatering acidity and a long, soft finish.
This went quite well with our Thanksgiving meal. Easy drinking yet memorable. The plummy, cherry fruits were a nice match with both turkey and ham.
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Chateau Yvonne
Saumur Champigny 2012
Loire Valley, France
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This 100% Cabernet Franc is a stunning example of the varietal.
Underipe raspberry, pepper, smoke and nuts dominate the nose.
Dark rounded fruits with peppery, cedar highlights follow on the palate.
This wine is still a bit tight, with floral dryness dominating the finish.
Let this wine breath for a bit upon opening or decant.
Drink now through 2020.
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Ostatu
Rioja Blanco 2014
Rioja, Spain
100% Viura
$17
Beautifully light pale straw in appearance.
The bouquet is layers of minerals, lemon curd and seashell.
Those seashell aromatics are echoed on the palate, along with pear and citrus fruits. The finish is savory, with a long soft taper.
Versatile with food or on its own. Come see why white wine can still be the star of Rioja.
Jason Jackson
