SKYY Debuts Pineapple Infused Vodka

SKYY Vodka, the super-premium purity-minded spirit in the distinctive cobalt blue bottle, has introduced the first all natural pineapple infused vodka as part of the Infusions line we premiered last summer. SKYY Infusions Pineapple is created through a proprietary process, where real fruit is infused into smooth SKYY Vodka, creating a “true-to-fruit taste experience bursting with the explosive essence of sweet Pineapple.”

It joins the SKYY Infusions portfolio of Citrus, Cherry, Passion Fruit, Raspberry and Grape vodkas, an assortment of all natural infusions made from real fruit that has been ranked #1 in taste by the prestigious Beverage Tasting Institute. Below are some cocktail recipes featuring the new elixir created by some of the country’s leading mixologists. We also like it on the rocks, especially with Thai food.

HULA DANCER’S DELIGHT
(by Mixologist TJ Ramini at Makia Los Angeles)
2/3 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple
1/2 oz. Vanilla Rum
1 oz. Lychee Puree
Splash of Fresh Lemon Juice
3 oz. Pineapple Juice
Grenadine
Shake and strain into a rocks glass then add a little Grenadine. Garnish with floating orchid.

POG PUNCH
(by Mixologist Cody Robertson at Lingba San Francisco)
1 1/2 parts SKYY Infusions Pineapple
1 1/2 parts Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
1 part Guava Puree
In an ice filled shaker combine all ingredients, shake and strain into ice filled scorpion bowl. Garnish with a floating orchid and pineapple.

PINEAPPLE CHI-CHI
(by Mixologist Barbie Caruso at Luau Beverly Hills)
1 1/2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple
2 oz. Coconut Milk
2 oz. Unsweetened Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz. Cane Sugar Syrup
Shake all ingredients and serve with ice in a coconut glass. Garnish with pineapple and cherry. Add an umbrella and straw.

TOASTED COCONUT COLADA
(by Mixologist TJ at Rusty Knot NYC)
1 1/2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple
2 oz. Toasted Coconut
1/2 oz. Amaretto
1 oz. Homemade Sour Mix
2 oz. Fresh Pineapple
1 oz. Coco Lopez or Sweetened Coconut Milk
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Combine all ingredients plus 9 large ice cubes in blender and process until smooth. Serve in hurricane glass. Top with toasted coconut, pineapple wedge. Add large straw and an orchid.

Woodford Reserve, the “Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby”, crafted at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky in the heart of thoroughbred country, has released its limited edition 2009 Kentucky Derby liter-sized bottle (right) featuring artwork by retired jockey Tom Chapman.

Chapman’s eye-catching image captures the excitement and intensity of the Kentucky Derby as two jockeys in brightly-colored silks concentrate on the race with the historic Twin Spires of Churchill Downs in the background. The artist’s signature adorns the neck band of the bottle, and an attached tag bears information about the artist and product.

Woodford Reserve, an award-winning small-batch bourbon, has served as the Derby’s official bourbon for the past 11 years. It also sponsors a Grade I race, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, which is run on Derby Day, May 2, 2009, and has become one of thoroughbred racing’s premier events.

“Much as we try, it’s impossible to express in words the intensity of racing from a jockey’s perspective,” Chapman says. “My goal is to capture it with a paint brush and canvas, often using unique angles and vibrant colors to set the tone. But no painting can truly capture the vibrancy and intensity of the Kentucky Derby.”

Beer lovers might want to try a new flavor in the market. Carlsberg (one of the world’s leading brewery groups) has launched Vintage No. 2, the second brew in its Vintage trilogy, which is claimed to be possibly the world’s most expensive beer. “With the Vintage trilogy we want to push the boundaries for what a beer can do, and to challenge the luxury wine segment in the gourmet restaurant market by utilising our innovation and brewing capabilities,” said Morten Ibsen, Brewmaster at Carlsberg’s. The beer has a jet-black color and espresso-like foam, revealing flavors of vanilla and cocoa/mocha. The aroma contains hints of tar and ropes, which come from the peat smoked Scottish malt, transported from Scotland solely for this brew. And to relish it at its best, it’s suggested to be paired with oysters, shellfish, Parma ham and cheese or even with chocolate and crème brûlée. It is available in a limited batch of 600 bottles for $367 per bottle.

Belvedere is introducing a new super-premium vodka made with nine special ingredients created to “embody the spirit of the night.” Belvedere IX (right), which comes in glam-punk style black and pink graffiti-tagged bottle, will initially be available only in select nightclubs.

IX’s nine key ingredients are ginseng, guarana, acai, ginger, sweet almond, jasmine, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and black cherry, “blended seamlessly to create a warm and enlivening note on the nose.” The ingredients are individually distilled in micro-batches before being expertly blended with 100 proof Belvedere Vodka and artesian water.

IX is described as “bold and intricate with uplifting sweet spice followed by invigorating ginger warmth,” and “smooth yet intense, with menthol complexity tempered by sweet almond and jasmine undercurrents,” finishing with “a characteristic Belvedere flourish of vanilla and white pepper.”

Los Angeles-based TRU Organic Spirits has launched a new small batch, artisanal gin using 14 whole botanicals. The botanicals in TRU2 Gin are macerated in layers forming an organic wheat base spirit. It is not re-distilled after the maceration process in order to preserve its rich, balanced flavor profile.We’re used to gins these days being crystal clear, but the macerated ingredients including juniper berries, fresh lavender and chamomile impart a distinctive amber hue to this flavorful spirit.

Double Cross Vodka

The new Double Cross Luxury Vodka, which is filtered through diamond dust and is the only Slovakian vodka to be released in the United States, is produced in the 13th century village of Stara Lubovna in the foothills of the breathtaking Tatra Mountain range.

The seven-times-distilled spirit uses only 100 percent organic, estate-grown winter wheat and mountain spring water drawn from aquifers located 200-feet below ground level. The diamond dust filtration system is said to provide unprecedented filtration capability because of the “unique shape and sub-micron size of the diamond dust particles.”

British fashion icon Alexander McQueen has been doing the damn thing for years. We posted just yestreday her Black Label line of bag for Samsonite well once more she has designed a limited edition “couture” bottle of Chivas Regal 18-Year-Old Gold Signature Scotch for the new year. McQueen’s design features royal blue leather detailing and comes topped with a hand-enameled blue, red and gold cap.

“This is a piece of art which reflects the luxury and craftsmanship values of what haute couture is all about,” McQueen told Vogue UK. “You can see my signature ’stamp’ with the blue leather ‘dress’ and the Union Jack colors. I have created a rare collector’s item that those with an eye for design will want to keep.”

Only 2,000 individually numbered bottles are being produced and will be available exclusively from deluxe UK department store Selfridges, for about $500.

A limited edition, gold-cased bottle of Midnight Gold, an Imperial Crude Moët & Chandon signed by French designer Camille Toupet.

The case is gold lambskin with Swarovski crystals and gilded pearls to simulate champagne bubbles. The “neck tie” at the top of the bottle can be removed and worn as a bracelet.

Only 100 handmade Moët & Chandon Midnight Gold cases will be released in 2009. Better reserve yours today at Lavinia. We hope you speak French.

Auchentoshan Distillery Releases 50-Year-Old Whisky

There are only 144 bottles priced at $4,000

Auchentoshan Distillery