Rye Guy Says That Krome’s The Word [DRINKS OF THE WEEK]

By jnherder May 18, 2012 6:00 pm Posted in Drink, Features, Lifestyle, Liquor, Nightlife, Party jnherder g+ page

It’s not every day that you get to sit down at a tasting table with three individual spirits that are so different and unique, but still share one distinctive quality. You may be scratching your head asking yourself “what could whiskey, vodka and gin possibly have in common?” Well, honestly not much. In the case of Son of Bourye Whiskey, Krome Vodka, and Cardinal Gin, though, the fact remains that each of these spirits were distilled and bottled right here in the good ole’ USA. Check out our full reviews and intoxicating drink recipes below… cheers!

Krome Vodka

Produced by one of the most award-winning small batch distilleries in the US, Krome Vodka is an ultra premium, gluten free spirit which hails from Bend, Oregon. Krome Vodka starts with superior ingredients and is then filtered five times through charcoal and crushed volcanic rock. Corn provides the vodka with a heft that can’t be found in a rye or wheat vodka and a sweetness that can’t be found in potato vodka. The ultra-clean Cascade Mountain spring water and a thorough filtration process is said to give Krome an incredible smoothness.

Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
Age: Unaged
Flavors: Neutral
Taste: B+ (Very Good)
Mix-ability: A- (Excellent)
Buzz Factor: B+ ( Very Good)
Price: $27 – $35 USD (750 ml)

Overall: We give Krome Vodka a B+ (Highly Recommended) It’s exceptional for mixing and delivers a smooth drinkable profile that for many is even acceptable for sipping. During our testing of Krome we likened it to other luxury vodkas such as Ketel One and Grey Goose. This vodka looks premium, drinks premium, and sells for a premium. If you’ve got the dough, we suggest giving Krome a whirl for yourself.

MIX IT UP WITH: “Krome America”

Ingredients: 2 oz. Krome Vodka, 2 oz. pomegranate juice or liqueur, sparkling water, lime juice

Directions: Combine ingredients in mixing glass. Shake. Serve on the rocks.

Cardinal Gin

As the first gin to be distilled in North Carolina since Prohibition, Cardinal Gin is a small batch American dry gin that mixes tradition and modern technology. No other distillery in the United States uses the same methods that Southern Artisan Spirits uses. The botanicals which are used to produce Cardinal Gin are all organic and are said to be the freshest to be found in all of the world.

Proof: 84 (42% ABV)
Age: Unaged
Flavors: spearmint, coriander, and juniper
Taste: A- (Excellent)
Mix-ability: B+ (Very Good)
Buzz Factor: A- (Excellent)
Price: $29 – $32 USD (750ml)

Overall: We give Cardinal Gin an A- (Highly Recommended). Fans of gin, Cardinal is a kiss in the mouth! It’s a vibrant dry gin that mixes very well, specifically with tonic, yet not limited in anyway. It’s rare when we all get together and agree that one spirit is simply fantastic, but unanimously Cardinal Gin got everyone’s vote this week!

MIX IT UP WITH: “Bird’s the Word”

Ingredients: 1 oz Cardinal Gin, 1 oz Cherry Marnier liqueur, 1 tsp Martini & Rossi dry vermouth.

Directions: Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well, strain into a highball glass, and serve.

Son of Bourye Whiskey

The Son of Bourye gets its name from High West Distillery’s original Bourye Whiskey, a blend of straight Bourbon and rye whiskies. As you might expect, Son of Bourye is made from younger whiskies than the original. It’s produced from two separate whiskeys that are proudly not chill filtered or carbon treated.

Whiskey #1 is a 5yr old bourbon, which consists of 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% barley malt. Whiskey #2 is a 3yr old rye, which contains 95% rye, 5% barley malt. The ratios of whiskies are top secret! However, we’re told that no bourbon today has more rye in the Son of Bourye.

Proof: 92 (46% ABV)
Age: Blended
Flavors: Vanilla, cinnamon, rye, oak
Taste: B+ (Very Good)
Mix-ability: B+ (Very Good)
Buzz Factor: A- (Excellent)
Price: $37 – $42 USD (750ml)

Overall: We give Son of Bourye a B+ (Highly Recommended). You don’t have to be a connoisseur of whiskey to fully enjoy Son of Bourye. It’s a truly fun whiskey who’s complexities are, in our opinion best enjoyed neat. That being said, it is still acceptable to serve this whiskey on the rocks, with water, or even mixed. We mixed a number of concoctions before landed on the perfect mixture. Check it out below….

MIX IT UP WITH: “Rye Guy”

Ingredients: 1.5 oz Son of Bourye Whiskey, 3/4 oz grapefruit juice, 1 dash grenadine syrup

Directions: Pour the whiskey, grapefruit juice and grenadine into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

Next week: Glenfiddich 18yr | Deaths Door Gin | Bimber Vodka

Josh is COED Magazine’s resident testing and review specialist, with a keen eye for all things tech, booze, and sports-related. When he’s not contributing for COED, his latest work can be found over at BeSportier.com. To have your products tested, reviewed, and featured on COED, shoot Josh a quick email. You can also follow Josh on Twitter - @JoshHerder