While 2021 set out to restore a lot that was lost in 2020, there was still an irreparable impact on the beverage industry and trade. However, some spirits have survived it all to tell the tale and become a part of your “once upon a time”s and “happily ever after”s. Here are seven spirits that should definitely be on your radar in 2022 :

Aviation Gin

Image Source: Aviation American Gin

Aviation Gin is an American dry gin produced in Portland, Oregon by House Spirits Distillery. They’ve been making headlines for many reasons. While the more popular ones include Ryan Reynold’s stake as well as being acquired by the Diageo family, their iconic gins continue to excite audiences. This proprietary maceration recipe in an art deco bottle uses botanical ingredients like cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and two kinds of orange peel. Aviation Gin is distributed nationwide in the United States and in 15 other countries. Buy it here.

Volcán de mi Tierra

Image Source: Volcan LVMH

Volcán de mi Tierra was created in collaboration between LVMH and the Gallardo family to create a complex and extraordinary tequila. It is named after a real volcano from the lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico which changed the topography of the land and gave the world the gift of tequila. Using a mampostery oven and slow fermentation in wood tanks combined with state-of-the-art processes develop a tequila with unparalleled flavor and aroma. They are created under responsible and sustainable methods using traditional crafts. Blanco, Reposado, and Cristalino are the three iconic Volcán de mi Tierra blend loved by bartenders and enthusiasts. Buy it here.

Ten to One Rum

Image Source: Ten to One rum

Ten to One is a black-owned Caribbean rum brand that blends different signatures from various island nations. Ten to One rum is aged in American white oak, ex-bourbon casks. Including stories and histories from Barbados, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, their drinks are a nod to the rich Caribbean heritage, flavors, and ingredients. Ten to One rum also has no added sugar, color, or artificial flavors. These rums are great to sip by themselves and even better in cocktails. Ten to One currently offers a dark rum, a white rum, and a reserve rum. Buy it here.

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Fortaleza

Image Source: Downtown Wine

Tequila Fortaleza is another bartender’s favorite. Fortaleza has five generations of history but its blends are as modern as they can get. It involves using traditional and ancestral methods to create affordable añejos to Blancos aged between 18 to 24 months. Skills and technique play a primary role at Fortaleza to create authentic tequila using boilers from 1903 and copper stills from the 1940s as well as the Tahona method. Every Fortaleza bottle is hand-blown in Mexico and hand-painted agave stopper on top. Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, Still Strength, and the most recent Winter Blend are some of Fortaleza’s celebrated blends. Buy it here.

Uncle Nearest

Image Source: The Three Drinkers 

Uncle Nearest is the only distillery owned and run by a Black female, and the only whiskey that honors a Black man on the bottle. Uncle Nearest was the head distiller for Daniel’s Distillery post the Civil War and also taught Jack Daniel the art of distilling but was recognized as the first black master distiller on record only in 2016. Uncle Nearest is one of the fastest-growing Whiskey brands in America and is built ground up by Uncle Nearest’s descendants. Three whiskies feature under the Most-Awarded American Whiskey Or Bourbon Of 2019 And 2020 Uncle Nearest label currently: 1820 Single Barrel Edition, 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey, and 1884 Small Batch. Uncle Nearest has also won a Double Gold at the Bartender Spirits Awards 2021. Buy it here.

El Tequileño

Image Source: Inside Hook

El Tequileño is located in the heart of the old town of tequila and is produced in the La Guarreña distillery. El Tequileño’s Anejo Gran Reserva is made from the mature Blue Agave from the Los Altos region of Jalisco. El Volcan de Tequila’s mineral-rich water is then combined and this is further distilled in copper pot stills. El Tequileño’s this unique blend which is aged in American & French Oak Barrels to be then blended with 6-year-old Extra Añejo aged in American Oak Barrels. These processes make the tequila deep, layered, and outstanding. With a bright grassy undercurrent, it is full of caramel and roasted agave followed by tropical fruits, brown sugar, and a bit of caramel candy. Buy it here.

Bardstown Bourbon Company

Image Source: The Bourbon Review

The Bardstown Bourbon Company is renowned for its unique mash bills and is a cutting-edge distiller. This distillery produces custom rye, whiskey, and bourbon for prominent brands including Jefferson’s, High West, Belle Meade, Hirsch, and many others through its one-of-a-kind Collaborative Distilling Program. Their innovations and collaborative programs add layers to their production processes. They host two experimental series namely the Discovery and Fusion series. Their recent successes include Discovery Series™ #6 which is a Blend Of Straight Bourbon Whiskies. It hosts a burst of vanilla, cedar, and candied orange which evolves into dark chocolate and black cherry with floral accents and ends with a bold and ringing finish. Buy it here.

Article by Prithvi Nagpal, Editor & Sommelier