There are no limits or constraints in the world of cocktails anymore. Both the traditional and the modern co-exist on countless cocktail lists. Across the country, bar chefs are concocting unique, handcrafted, and deliciously drinkable creations, and Memphis has by no means been passed over by this trend. We are seeing more and more artisanal spirits enter our market, giving both professional and amateur mixologists many options for their bar. House-made cordials, infusions, and spins on classics are popping up all over our city, but it’s still very much in its infancy.

Luckily, we have a full artillery of spirits to work with. Corsair Artisan, based in Nashville, produces an incredibly expressive battery of liquors, from absinthe to whiskey. It seems as though Corsair, founded in 2007, has come about in the very midst of the cocktail culture exploding across the country.

To read full article click here:  http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/spirited/Content?oid=2462821

This season’s batch of Pumpkin Spice Moonshine has just come off the stills and it is better than ever.  A warm grain base serves as the canvas for deep pumpkin flavors and rich fall spices.  Great on its own and even better as the backbone of a fall-inspired cocktail.  Initial shipments should reach distributors in the next week.  Contact your local liquor store to ask about it, or visit us in Bowling Green on Fridays and Saturdays to pick up your bottle.

In other news…

Cooking Light Award

Corsair’s gin was recognized by Cooking Light magazine as one of the best Artisan spirits for 2010 based on blind taste test results.  You can read more about the honor here:

Cooking Light names winners in healthy lifestyle product awards

The word handmade conjures up images of a warm apple pie made from scratch or your great-grandmother’s artfully sewn quilt. But handmade liquor? Just ask the folks behind Corsair Artisan Distillery, who are breaking the mold and bringing craft made spirits to Nashville. Childhood friends-cum-business partners Darek Bell and Andrew Webber are the masterminds behind this unique venture, which is on the fast track to becoming a world-renowned distillery, with products ranging from Vanilla Bean Vodka, Red Absinthe and their highly-recognized Gin-Head style Gin.

The idea hatched from Darek and Andrew’s shared enthusiasm for, of all things, biodeisel. While whipping up a batch of the eco-friendly fuel one day, Andrew expressed his desire to make whiskey instead. Darek had experience making wine, beer and sake and Andrew’s family was in the wine industry, so it seemed like a natural fit. Darek noticed there was a real need for bringing a high-caliber craft distillery to Tennessee. “I had been watching the artisan distilling movement in mostly the western states like California, Oregon and Washington. I was amazed that nothing was happening in the South. I didn’t want Tennessee to be left behind, given the wealth of distilling knowledge and lore here.”

Continue reading under ‘artisans’ here: http://nfocusmagazine.com/story/tastemakers

Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa California has picked up our products and also has a very well established mail order business (They also featured our Absinthe in the July newsletter).  If you are interested in trying our products, but you don’t live in one of the states we currently distribute to, try Hi-Times.  We will keep you posted of other internet vendors as they become available.
In other News…

Corsair’s unaged whiskey was recently covered in an article in The Tennessean: Moonshine Goes Mainstream

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.