by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

Considering the wealth of American microdistilleries we carry at The Party Source, I suppose I should not have been surprised when a couple of amazing little bottles showed up on our doorstep from Bowling Green, Kentucky. But I was surprised–probably you heard my jaw when it hit the floor–not only to find an artisan distiller in Kentucky, but the first commercial red abisnthe in America. G0 Kentucky!

Corsair started distilling in December 2008. They have two stills at their Bowling Green facility. One is a modern Holstein-type affair, a 50-gallon pot still topped with an adjustable fractionating column, as well as an optional gin “basket” that does wicked things to the Corsair gin. The other still is an astonishing 240 gallon copper pot still dating from about 1920. This burnished warrior survived Prohibition, and Corsair uses it in the first distillation of their whiskey. (Yes, that’s right, whiskey. Corsair whiskey is only in the developmental stages, but you can expect Bourbon, rye, and a four-grain whiskey to emerge from their hut in the future.)

Red absinthe is a small tradition in historical European absinthe, rather more common in Spain or Czech Republic than France. Sadly, while there are a number of oustanding artisanal green and blanche absinthes from Europe and, increasingly, America, most of the rouges are disappointing to absinthe connoisseurs, tending to artificial color and shrill flavor. But Corsair Red is cut from different cloth. Distiller Andrew Webber packs this cute little bottle full of real wormwood, citrus, and tarragon. After a proper infusion and redistillation of these herbs, there is a final  infusion with hibiscus flowers. Corsair Red can hold its head up as an honest and traditionally crafted absinthe…and hold its own with Bourbon as a soulful product of the Bluegrass State.

Corsair also makes a terrific gin, full of juniper notes but joined with postmodern gin flavors of citrus oil and grains of paradise. In addition to the eventual whiskeys, partners Webber and Darek Bell make a potent spiced rum for the best Coke mixer ever. But really, it’s this Red absinthe that takes the cake, and Corsair has beaten some people to the punch in bringing it to market. Other absinthe producers must be green red with envy.

Update: Andrew Webber of Corsair Artisan will be at The Party Source for an informal tasting Friday June 26 4-7 pm and Saturday June 27 1-5 pm. Stop by for a free taste!

Corsair Red Absinthe 375 ml 32.99

Corsair Gin 375 ml 18.99

The cutest gin ever!

Tags: absinthe, cocktails, corsair, gin, kentucky, microdistillery, mixology, spirits

This entry was posted on Friday, May 29th, 2009 at 10:20 am and is filed under spirit. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.