by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

It’s not very often that a classic comes along, particularly in the liqueur category. Most of the truly classic liqueurs have been around a long time, came from Europe, and often as not were created by monks–see Chartreuse, Bénédictine, Frangelico, and others. And sadly, too many new entrants in aisle 9B are poseurs, with some or another frou-frou ingredient backed with frenzied marketing. But every once in a while, an artisan with some vision and passion comes along that you just know will still be here in a century or two. The latest, and greatest, of these is Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur. Between its understated Asian lantern-style bottle, harmony of ingredients, and its effortless mixability, Canton is a future liqueur hall of famer.

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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!

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by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

The introduction of vermouth to America in the 1870s was a seminal moment in the development of the cocktail. Bartenders had a new toy to play with, and in short order had invented a host of classic cocktails that are still drunk today. As I’ve noted here before, vermouth is back, baby, with a vengeance. Mixologists amateur and professional alike are rediscovering the supple, mouthwatering glory of dry and sweet vermouth. And happily, we have some new firepower, with new vermouths landing from France, including the new/old Noilly Prat and Dolin, perhaps the best of them all. What to do with this herbaceous wine?

Vermouth de Chambéry is the aristocrat of French Vermouth.

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by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

The Party Source is not only one of America’s biggest and best liquor stores. We’re also one of the most patient. French Alpine elder trees only make so many flowers, and collecting the little buggers by bicycle is understandably time-consuming. So to those hordes of Greater Cincinnatians who requested St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur over the past 14 months, we shall attest your serenity in the face of a distinct lack of elderflower flavor. Now, the wait is over, and this shockingly good liqueur is available for your cocktails, your parties, your peace of mind. Someday, we will all remember where we were when we first tasted St-Germain.

From the heavy, cut glass Art Deco-inspired bottle to the carefully balanced drink within, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur is a future classic among the world’s liqueurs. The elderflower notes are fresh as a bouquet on your wedding day, the aroma lifting effortlessly from the glass. In the mouth the liqueur is light yet intensely flavored; the sweetness is never cloying. And what St-Germain does in cocktails is unbelievable. It makes a superb match with everything from rye whiskey to Tequila to smoky Scotch. Gin and sparkling wine is a natural with St-Germain; our bartender here in the EQ jay Dickerson likes it with cachaça . It’s hard to make a bad cocktail with this stuff.

St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur  $35.99

By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

Well, our Manhattan seminar has come and gone. Our EQ students had a terrific time tasting not only five varieties of Manhattan, but all the different components in this classic cocktail. We had (small thimbleful) tastes of three whiskeys, three vermouths, a bunch of bitters—basically, we did the Manhattan to death. We finished with an all-new Manhattan recipe—plus I shared with the students the secret of making excellent cocktails in bulk quantities. Party Read on…

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