Ow it Burns! Or How to Appreciate the Joys of High Proof Spirits.
Smith and Cross-Navy Strength Jamaican Rum-Courtesy of Haus Alpenz
After eagerly awaiting the announcement for this year’s seminars at Tales, they slowly began to take shape a few months ago, as they they began to be updated in small groups, one seminar caught my attention right away, based purely on title alone- “At Full Sail: The History and Application of Spirits at Proof, Navy Strength and Overproof”.
I’ve always felt that with the exception of a few drinks, the joys and wonders of overproofed spirits have gone unsung. People’s reaction outside of the spirits world to something bottled at anything over 80 proof otherwise labeled as Navy-Strength or overproof is usually something of fear or something along the line of “Dude if you set it on fire I’ll drink it”. From the overview I’ve gotten of this seminar’s coverage of this topic, the presenters mean to change this perception.
And what better group of presenters could we ask for?
Moderated by Eric Seed, Owner of Specialty Spirits Importer and the man responsible for bringing Crème de Violette, Allspice Dram, Velvet Falernum, and Hayman’s Old Tom Gin back in the hands of today’s bartender. Eric will moderate a panel made up that includes Audrey Saunders, celebrated mixologist and owner of The Pegu Club, Wayne Curtis, author of “And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails” and Britt K Chavanne, of Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd..
During the course of this seminar, these folks will discuss the history of high proof spirits, the story behind “Navy Strength” and how to properly use these wonderous yet potent spirits in cocktails, both classic and modern recipes.
