Corsair Artisan Distillery

Sometimes you hit a homerun on your first at-bat.  That is how we felt at Corsair we opened our first experimental barrel of aged 100% Rye whiskey.  Our customers seemed to like it too since they bought up the (unannounced) initial release in 10 days.

It seems there are other fans out there as well.  The spirits department at K and L Wines in California was so excited they ordered a future barrel’s worth of product.  Here is an except of their review:

Yesterday I got a sneak peak of what to expect when Corsair releases their 1 year old 100% rye this Fall.  One word – amazing! … I really like this new Corsair, even though it is a meager year in age, because they somehow managed to get it fairly rich to balance out the spice.  I had to taste it about three times to make sure I wasn’t missing something.  This has all the spice that you expect from rye, a suprisingly smooth entry, plenty of kick, and a long finish that doesn’t spit grain alcohol back into your tonsils.

You can read the whole review here.

Photo courtesy of K and L Wines.

Two of Corsair’s recently crafted experimental whiskeys have recently been highly rated by the Beverage Tasting Institute.  The Triple Smoke Whiskey received gold medal with a score of 93 (exceptional) while the 100% Aged Rye Whiskey awarded a silver medal by scoring 89 (highly recommended).  You can read the BTI’s tasting notes below:

Corsair Single Barrel Triple Smoke American Straight Malt Whiskey $42.95.

Unusual aromas of smoked turkey jerky, toasted date bread, salty roasted nuts and bacon chocolate follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with hints of iodine, smoked peat, and toffee. Finishes with a long, herbal and grassy, almond brittle, smoke, and peppery spice fade. A very unique and fun smoked bourbon that is extremely tasty and reminiscent of a moderately peaty Islay Scotch whisky like Bruicchladdich.

Corsair Experimental Collection 100% Kentucky Rye Whiskey $29.95/375 ml.

Bright amber color. Interesting and bold aromas of nutmeg laced eggnog, roasted pecans, and glazed panettone follow through on a spry entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with zucchini bread, dusty rye grain, herbs, and exotic peppery spice notes. Finishes with a very hot, citrus zest, ginger powder, mineral and pepper fade. Very unique.

Both of these whiskeys are currently in production and will be released later this year along with the Rasputin Hopped Whiskey, which received a platinum rating (best in category) in the recent World Spirits Competition.

Party Source in Northern Kentucky is currently the exclusive provider of Corsiar Spirits in the area.  Their wine and spirits manager Jay Erisman recently reviewed Corsair RED – our unique and popular red absinthe.  Here is an excerpt:

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.

http://partysourceeq.com/2009/05/29/corsair-red-absinthe-kentucky-brews-a-new-spirit/

The Intoxicologist is one of the premier bloggers in the spirits world.  She recently got her hands on some Corsair’s award-winning Gin.  This is what she had to say:

Corsair Artisan Gin excites me for a few reasons:

· The creators/owners, Darek and Andrew, are small batch micro-distillers making grass roots products right here in the United States born of passion, enthusiasm and desire to bring quality products to a new generation of spirits enthusiasts.

· The logo speaks to that vision with its black and white bold simplicity and the air of free style untouchable spirit. This is a new generation laying claim to a new era of imbibing.

· Gin: It is breaking all the rules by going beyond the traditional martini of generations past. Corsair Artisan Distillery lightens the load of heavily junipered gins and brings back a garden fresh, citrusy to vegetative quality with hints of floral. Unexpected. Light. Refreshing. Beautiful.

Read the full review here: Corsair Artisan: Redefining a New Gin’eration

Corsair’s gin won the gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition!

From the SFWSC website:

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis. Founded in 2000 by directors of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, Anthony Dias Blue and Carol Seibert, the Spirits Competition continues each year to grow in entrants as well as stature within the industry.

http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/