2020 Q1 Spirited VA - 43

BEST SUPPORTING SPIRIT
Background vocalists and
musicians add rhythm and
harmony, playing essential roles in
a finished song. Supporting spirits
likewise make the difference in a
ho-hum and a spectacular cocktail.
And the winner is ... Orange
liqueur, an ingredient in a vast
number of cocktails. Dress up your
drink with a premium spirit like
Cointreau or go for a casual aura
with a budget basic like Bols.

TOP OF THE CHARTS

BEST FOREIGN SONG
No need for subtitled lyrics when
using spectacular international
liquors-the taste communicates
all you need to know.
And the winner is ... Aperol, a
distinctive Italian spirit
that is experiencing a
renaissance with the
popularity of the classic
Aperol Spritz cocktail:
3 ounces Prosecco, 1
ounces Aperol and 1
ounce of soda water,
served in a wine glass with ice and
garnished with an orange wheel.

One popular liquor rises above
the rest, as demonstrated
by annual sales across the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
It could be Fireball Cinnamon
Whisky, that spicy Canadian
spirit - but, no, Fireball comes
in at number five. Jim Beam
Straight Bourbon comes in
at four, Jack Daniel's 7 Black
Tennessee Whiskey holds
the number three spot, and
Hennessy VS Cognac takes
second place.
And the winner is ... Tito's
Handmade Vodka, the
bestselling popular neutral
spirit. Vodka is infinitely
mixable, with a wide variety
of flavor choices. Corn-based
Tito's out of Austin, Texas, is
among the best of the best, and
reasonably priced.

BEST TROPICAL LATIN
PERFORMANCE
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum. This
complex sipping rum is crafted from pure
sugar cane honey. It is distilled in ancient
copper pot stills and aged in small oak casks
for up to 12 years. On the nose one can detect
maple syrup, orange peel, brown sugar and
licorice. It is crafted in Venezuela and is
perfect in tropical tiki drinks.

BEST ARRANGEMENT
Ramazzotti Rosato Liqueur: Amaro
Ramazzotti is an Italian digestif from the
bitters category. Thirty-three different
aromatic plans and fruits are used in its
production, including sweet oranges,
whose taste is most prominent. It is a great
addition to sparkling wine and a variety of
accompanying spirits.

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S , W I N N E R S ! A N D C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S , C O N S U M E R S , W H O GE T T O
ENJOY BOTH THE SONGS AND THE DRINKS.

SPIRITED VIRGINIA | JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2020 43

2020 Q1 Spirited VA

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