IL - Spirits Portfolio

BRANDY GRAPPA

ALTESINO ITALY, TUSCANY Grappa di Brunello di Altesino is 100% Sangiovese grape pomace. Distilled for the first time in 1977 by Master Distiller Gioacchino Nannoni, this grappa spends a minimum 6 months ageing in barrique. Grappa di Brunello Riserva 84PF / 375ML

NARDINI SPIRITS ITALY, VENETO Nardini Spirits of Northern Italy has amassed two centuries of distilling expertise and through rigorous quality control - from local vine to bottle, Nardini grappas are not only excellent, but completely consistent, year after year. Many producers rely on spectacularly ornate glass bottles to sell product – Nardini is about what’s inside and prefers classic simple elegance and tradition. Grappa Bianca White Label 100PF / 375ML / 1.0L Far and away Italy’s best-selling premium grappa, Nardini Bianca remains unchallenged as the connoisseur’s benchmark. Authentically high in strength, ‘Bianca’ fills the palate with an exciting sparkle, then - largely thanks to its fine balance and extraordinary distillation quality - surprises the drinker with its remarkably gentle follow-through. One of Italy’s bestselling premium grappas. Grappa Green Label 80PF / 1.0L Once only available to employees to purchase at the distillery - this 40% Nardini bottling was launched as a more approachable strength than its classic 50% ABV. Grapey woody notes with white chocolate, milk chocolate, roasted almonds and white pepper spice.

Grappa: Italy’s Firewater

The potent firewater called grappa (literally “grape stalk”) was originally produced

in the mountainous Friuli region, and has anesthetized generations of Northern Italians. Grappa is made from the fermented leftovers of the grape crushing wine process. While it may not sound that delectable, the clean and fragrant flavour of the drink is utterly enchanting. The firewater was long known as aqua vitae, the “water of life,” for its purported medicinal and restorative properties. Over the ages it was

believed to do everything from reviving the vital spirits, warming the belly (undoubted), relaxing the brain, sharpening the intellect, and clearing the vision to removing bodily impurities, repairing memory, prolonging life, and even curing the plague. The only benefit now touted—aside from inflicting raging intoxication— is its role as the ultimate digestivo —TRAVELBRAIN.US

BRANDY SINGANI

SINGANI 63 BOLIVIA The national spirit of Bolivia, Singani is a highly aromatic, floral and citrusy unaged brandy. Singani 63 is unique among spirits to be given both a DO (Designation of Origin) and a GI (geographical Indication). Distilled at the largest singani distillery in Bolivia – Casa Real and master distiller Don Lucho. Singani 63 80PF / 750ML Highly aromatic Muscat of Alexandria grapes destined for singani production are grown at a minimum altitude of 5,250 feet in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia. Oscar winning director Steven Soderbergh owns and imports Singani 63; discovered while filming Che in Bolivia. Perhaps the most versatile and mixable spirit to be found, with bright and lively flavor unlike any other spirit.

For 7 years Steven Soderbergh fought tirelessly to get this clear, mixable spirit imported into the US after first drinking it while shooting the movie “Che” in Bolivia. “Up to that point, I was used to drinking something that did one thing. I was going to have to call vodka on the phone and have that conversation – this was serious.” Soderbergh has even co-petitioned (with the Bolivian government) to the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to recognize Singani as its own unique category, not unlike Pisco and Cachaça.

ILLINOIS SPIRITS PORTFOLIO

10