Are you a Jameson junkie? Ask for a sake bomb without caring exactly what sake tastes like? Do you reflexively pull out the Patrón card when you want to impress? It’s time for a more sophisticated detour. Here are some directions on treating your taste buds to international flavors, from South America to the United Kingdom and onward to East Asia.
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TEQUILA
Tres Generaciones Añejo
$9/shot
Where We Found It
Bandito’s Burrito Lounge
2905 Patterson Ave.
banditosburritolounge.com
Recommended By
Otto Bartsch, Bartender
Describes It As
Caramel overtones, rested in wood barrels. “High-end, excellent flavor, but one of the best values for what you’re getting.”
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Espolón Tequila Blanco
$7.50/shot
Where We Found It
Bistro 27
27 W. Broad St.
bistrotwentyseven.com
Recommended By
Bobby Kruger, Beverage Director
Describes It As
“Remarkably smooth and clean,” 100-percent agave. “It’s the Patrón killer. It’s a great silver tequila at half the price.”
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Tres Agaves Reposado
$5.50/shot
Where We Found It
Baja Bean Co.
1520 W. Main St.
bajabean.com
Recommended By
Ryan Knause, Bartender and Manager
Describes It As
His go-to tequila. Barrel-aged and smooth, “very easy to drink.”
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SCOTCH
Penderyn Single-Malt Welsh whiskey
$19/shot
Where We Found It
McCormack’s Whisky Grill and Smokehouse
204 N. Robinson St.
Recommended By
William “Mac” McCormack, Owner
Describes It As
OK, it isn’t Scotch, technically. But it’s a popular seller, from Wales, with a “citrus and floral fragrance. The finish is slightly vanilla.”
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Lagavulin Single Malt 16 Years
$14/shot
Where We Found It
Can Can Brasserie
3120 W. Cary St.
cancanbrasserie.com
Recommended By
Melissa McGoniagle, Bartender
Describes It As
A “touch of sweetness” with a peat taste. “It’s kind of like the Scotch with training wheels a little bit.”
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The Balvenie 14-Year-Old Caribbean Cask
$12/shot
Where We Found It
Buckhead’s Restaurant & Chop House
8510 Patterson Ave.
buckheads.com
Recommended By
Casey Brynildsen, Bartender
Describes It As
A single-malt “summer Scotch” from a rum cask, which smooths out the flavors. For “people who don’t like that peaty taste.”
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SAKE
[image-7]
Bamboo Power
$21/bottle
Where We Found It
Wild Ginger
3734 Winterfield Road, Midlothian
wildgingerva.com
Recommended By
Cordell Watkins, Bartender
Describes It As
Filtered, served cold from a bottle wrapped in bamboo paper. “Crisp, clear, some citrus flavors, dry.”
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Ozeki Nigori
$13/bottle
Where We Found It
Kobe Japanese Steak & Sushi
19 S. 13th St.
kobesteakandsushi.com
Recommended By
Tad Johnson, Server
Describes It As
His favorite. A “rich and thick” unfiltered sake.
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Sho Chiku Bai Nigori
$12/bottle
Where We Found It
Sticky Rice
2232 W. Main St.
stickyricefan.com
Recommended By
Jonny Mac, Bartender
Describes It As
“Silky sweet taste.” Unfiltered, “so it has all the nutrients still in it.”
