2022 Toast to Congress Recipes & Tasting Notes

COCKTAIL

Whale Hello There

2 oz. Gray Whale Gin
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz agave syrup

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the gin, lime juice, lemon juice and agave. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass, or strain over a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.

TASTING NOTES

Chapoutier Rose: The Mathilde Chapoutier Rosé reveals an elegant pink-orange color with purple highlights. Full and delicious on entry, it offers notes of citrus (grapefruit), red fruit (strawberry), white flowers, with notes of white fleshed fruit (peach) and herbal hints of sage. This wine shows a subtle soft character and silky mouthfeel underpinned by crisp acidity which adds structure.

Duval-LeRoy Champagne: The Duval-LeRoy Champagne provides a perfect balance between finesse and power, it draws out flavors of dark chocolate, cinnamon and roasted yellow figs, expressing its subtle, melt-in-the-mouth vinosity.

SAMPLING

Tequila Komos Rosa: This Reposado Rosa has a color reminiscent of great French Rosé, with rich flavors and a creamy mouthfeel imparted by its time spent in these special barrels.

COCKTAILS

Driftless Glen Lemon Drop Martini

2 oz. Driftless Gem Lemon Vodka
1 oz. Sweet & Sour Mix
½ oz. Lemonade
¼ oz. Reneé Sicilian Lemon
White Balsamic
¼ oz. Simple Syrup

Shake with ice. Strain and serve in a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon.

Blackberry Old Fashioned

1 Orange Slice
2 Blackberries
¼ oz. Reneé Blackberry Ginger Balsamic
2 dashes of Bitters
½ oz. Simple Syrup
2 oz. Driftless Glen Bourbon
Sour
Sprite
Orange Slice & Cherry (For Garnish)

In an old fashioned glass, add orange slice, blackberries, balsamic, bitters and simple syrup. Muddle! Then add ice, bourbon. Top with sour and Sprite. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

SAMPLING

Driftless Glen Bourbon: Driftless Glen’s Bourbon and Straight Bourbon Single Barrel Whiskey are both from the Driftless Region in Wisconsin. The Bourbon Whiskey is aged in a New American Oak Barrel and has a well-balanced profile of vanilla and caramel with hints of charred oak.

Driftless Glen 5-Year Aged Brandy: Driftless Glen’s 5 Year Reserve Brandy is born in France and finished in the Driftless Glen Area. Driftless Glen’s Brandy is characterized with notes of vanilla, caramel, and cherry with a smooth, warm finish.

El Decreto Anejo Tequila: El Decreto Tequila is a premium tequila because of its high quality artisanal process and its unique bottle. El Decreto Tequila takes extreme care choosing the best Agave plants to attract the finest “miel”.

TASTING NOTES

LaLuca Prosecco: LaLuca Prosecco has a defined and distinctive nose, offering up orchard fruits, crisp pears, and lemon curd, all of which come together in a rich, creamy off-dry style that is extremely appealing. The finish shows excellent length and fine overall balance.

Ame Du Vin Rose: Âme du Vin Rose (pronounced Ahm-du-VAHN) “Soul of Wine” embodies the sun-drenched beauty of Côtes de Provence with distinctive elegance. Expressive notes of fresh apricot, citrus and jasmine flower delight the senses, yielding an exceptional rosé with balance and length. Enjoy Âme du Vin as an aperitif and with canapés, soft cheeses, white meats and fresh seafood.

COCKTAILS

Jameson Orange Crush

Jameson Orange Irish Whiskey
Orange Juice
Sprite

Negroni

Botanist Gin
Carpano Antica
Luxardo Bitters

TASTING NOTES

Gancia Prosecco: Gancia Prosecco is made from soft-pressed Glera grapes, Gancia Prosecco DOC Brut boasts a delicate taste, with aromas of green apple, orange, and lemon.

Sokol Blosser Rosé of Pinot Noir 2021: Sokol Blosser uses 100% Pinot Noir grapes to produce this classic dry Rose. Crisp and vibrant, this wine features aromas of white peach, jasmine and spring rain. Nectarines, fresh melon and bright acidity are prominent on the palate with a lingering rhubarb flavor on the finish.

Tornatore Etna Bianco Carricent: The Etna Bianco is born from the skillful vinification of the white grape vines Carricante, cultivated in volcanic soils with a high vocation and arranged in terraces at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level, in the northern slope of the volcano. Straw yellow colored wine with light green shadow that offers mineral notes with menthol scents typical of high wines, green apple with primary aromas characteristic of the variety.

Tornatore Etna Rosso Red Blend 2018: The Etna Rosso Red Blend has the aromas of red berries, Morello cherry and black cherry with a freshness balanced by a soft, round mouthfeel that maintains its liveliness. Light herbal notes, firm but subtle tannins and bright, balanced acidity create a persistent, intensely-flavored finish.

SAMPLING

Jameson Orange Irish Whiskey: Introducing Jameson Orange. The smooth taste of triple-distilled Jameson Irish Whiskey, perfectly balanced with refreshing notes of natural Orange flavor.

Botanist Gin: 22 hand-foraged local botanicals delicately augment nine berries, barks, seeds and peels during an achingly slow distillation. The Botanist’s rich, smooth and delicate flavours make it one of the most versatile gins in the world.

Rabbit Hole Dareringer: Straight bourbon whiskey finished in PX sherry casks.

Rabbit Hole Boxegrail: Our straight rye whiskey. Boxergrail is a Kentucky Straight rye in a class of its own. This premium American Whiskey boasts a lavish bouquet of spice and butterscotch.

Rabbit Hole Cavehill: Our signature Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This marvel of modern distillation wows the senses with lovely aromas of spice and fresh apples.

Jefferson's Ocean: Jefferson's Ocean: Aged at Sea takes older bourbon barrels and brings it around the world. Stopping in 5 different continents and crossing the equator 4 times, this bourbon truly is a world beater.

COCKTAILS

Springtime Toast to Jalisco

2 oz Condigo 1530 Blanco
.75 oz lemon juice
.5 oz agave nectar
.25 oz St Germain

TASTING NOTES

Unshackled Sauvignon Blanc: Unshackled Sauvignon Blanc opens with aromas of melon and tropical fruit, this delightfully unconventional sauvignon blanc wine makes its mark on the world. Flavors of peach, fresh citrus, lime, and tropical fruit grace this crisp white wine.

Unshackled Cabernet: Unshackled Cabernet open with aromas of plum and blackberry plus a hint of olive, this delightfully unconventional cabernet wine makes its mark on the world. Flavors of black stone fruit, clove, and dried herbs grace this sweet red wine, a flavor-forward cabernet with solid tannin structure and balanced acidity.

SAMPLING

Condigo 1530 Blanco: Código 1530 Blanco is the expression that best reflects the pure taste of our perfect inputs. We take pride in every step of our production process, carefully sourcing only the best ingredients to produce a spirit that requires no resting.

COCKTAILS

The Sakura by AJ Johnson

1.5 oz Gin Lane 1751 Victoria Pink Gin 80PF
.5 oz Figli Cerasum Liqueur
.5 oz Lemon Juice
.25 oz Simple Syrup

Shake ingredients. Strain into wine glass. Top with 2 oz of Montand Brut Sparkling Wine NV.

TASTING NOTES

Laurent Perrier Rose NV: Laurent Perrier Rose NV has intensely fruity flavors, clean and slightly sharp, the wine opens to the sensation of freshly picked red berries: strawberries, Morello cherries, black currants and raspberries. The finish is supple and rounded.

Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier 2018: Pure aromas reminiscent of fresh apricots, ginger, saffron and fresh white flowers. The palate is long and silky with stone fruit flavors, finishing with an alluring freshness. This wine will continue to grow and develop in the bottle, firstly showing enhanced apricots and spice, then honey flavors and toast complexity.

Catena Malbec La Consulta 2019: The Catena Malbec Appellation La Consulta shows a dark violet color with deep purple tones. The nose offers aromas like red fruit and ripe, concentrated dark berries with fresh herbs and floral notes like lavender and violets, some traces of vanilla and tobacco. The mouthfeel is rich, with raspberries and blueberries, spices notes and a touch of mocha. The finish presents soft and well-structured tannins with bright, crisp acidity that gives the wine exceptional length.

SAMPLING

Gin Lane 1751 Pink Gin: The tradition of blending gin with bitters was first created by the British Royal Navy to balance out sweet and dry gins...and supposedly to help cure sea sickness. We’ve created a well-balanced gin with juniper still at the forefront but with a beautifully harmonious balance of herbal and spiced bitters.