2020 Q3 Iowa Spirits - 10

Locally made products continue to be popular in communities
across the nation, and Iowa provides plenty of opportunities
to support local businesses.

distilleries and that Sazerac
Company is investing heavily in
Buffalo Trace.
For variations, think limited editions,
interesting mash bills (including mashes
made from beer wort), aging the spirit in a
variety of barrels and who knows what all else.
Tequila still claims plenty of shelf space-
after all, what's a Margarita or Tequila Sunrise
without the blue agave spirit? Mezcal has gained
in popularity as well, with those happy smoky
tasting notes added to the agave bliss.
A shortage of blue agave coupled with its
popularity has raised concerns (since tequila must
be produced using blue agave in certain areas
of Mexico). Yet there are other agave plants and
other places that can grow them. Options
include raicilla (made from two agave species,
agaves raicilleros and pata de mula, grown in the
State of Jalisco in the Western part of Mexico),
bacanora (made from the wild agave Pacifica, i.e.,
bacanora, grown in Sonora) and sotol (well, not
technically from an agave plant, but closely
related).
Although the in-your-face, pine-tree-impersonating juniper berry has turned many drinkers away
from gin, contemporary versions have given rise
to a new popularity. The juniper notes have
become more subtle, balanced by soothing notes
of other botanicals and even of tea.
Sugarcane spirits are enjoying their time in the
sun, too.
"Rum has been tipped by spirits experts to be
the 'next gin'," according to the International Wine
and Spirits Competition. The IWSC also points to
the rise of Asian spirits such as shochu and baijiu
as well as pisco, a brandy from Chile and Peru.
And in wine, rosé continues its reign-not just
the sweet pink drink that dominated the field, but
more complex, balanced and dry wines, too.

10 IOWA SPIRITS

SO GOOD - TOGETHER!
And we mustn't overlook flavored spirits! Not only
are these blends of our favorite liquors and complementary additions up-and-coming and tasty -
straight-up or over-ice-they make creating the
perfect cocktail as simple as pie. Do you like vodka
or moonshine? Try them with an already-added
splash of coconut, vanilla, hot peppers, cinnamon,
peppermint, citrus or other fruits. Add tonic water
for a simple, delightful cocktail. Oh, and if you like
whiskey as a base, look for whiskey splashed with
berries, maple or coffee. And, of course, you may
already know the glories of spiced rum and other
delightful flavored spirits.

QUALITY IS FOREVER
While "trending" topics can be short-lived and
elusive, premium spirits, like diamonds, are forever.
"In spirits, brands are focusing on luxury offerings
and premiumization," says New Food Magazine.
Which isn't to say there aren't different "cuts"
and "settings." Think double-barrel aging-in
sherry casks then ex-bourbon barrels for example;
a spirit with a unique add-in; rare casks; collaborations; new inventions in liquors; and pop culture
tie-ins.
Consumers can treat themselves to the occasional luxury offerings, collectibles and limited
releases.

FOR THE TASTE OF IT, TOO
Health and wellness continue to become more
important to Americans, a trend that carries over
into alcohol consumption. After all, why devote
your energies to your Peloton, yoga class or marathon training just to blow it all on your alcohol
consumption?
Arguably the most obvious evidence of this
trend is the growing popularity of hard seltzers.
This spiked sparkling water-with fruit flavorings

2020 Q3 Iowa Spirits

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