Brave Spirits: At Ease Rum

The world rests just a little bit better now.  Thanks to the men and women that serve our country, there has been a victory in this seemingly endless war on terrorism.   Regardless of religious or sexual preference and complete disregard for their own safety, our men and women in uniform have risked their lives to achieve a momentous victory.  On this Memorial Day, we remember the sacrifice they have made and the families they have left behind.  .  I sleep in safety at night because of their sacrifice.  However, political and social commentary aside, it seems fitting and past time to review Brave Spirits’ At Ease Rum.

Summertime is the perfect time for fruity, refreshing drinks.  I enjoy them around a poolside, out with friends, or at home after a nice dinner evening with friends.  Two spirits come to mind…tequila and rum.

Brave Spirits At Ease Rum is perfectly suited for for your summertime rum drinks.  Highly mixable, it does well lending a hint of flavor that clear rums do to drinks such as the Mojito.   Upon tasting, it was pretty hot on the palate, and needs something to cool it down a little.  By hot, I’m referring to the alcohol burn associated with drinking highly alcoholic beverages.  More time in the barrel cuts back on this somewhat, by lending more flavor (and color) to the rum.  As you can see by the graphic to the right, At Ease Rum is perfectly clear.  Also, by saying hot…I’m not saying that is a bad thing.  There is a certain amount of ‘heat’ to all alcoholic beverages.  I just happen to see it more in clear liquors.

Back to summertime and relaxing….if you are going to be making a big picture of Mojitos, Painkillers, or the like…At Ease Rum will put you ‘at ease’.  Summertime is all about enjoying yourself with family and friends, vacation and relaxation.  It’s time to enjoy your summer and breathe a sigh of relief with Brave Spirits At Ease Rum.

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Valor Vodka (Brave Spirits Part Four)

Valor Vodka is the latest product from Brave Spirits, LLC, a Pennsylvania company with a noble and inventive method of marketing…you drink, we donate.  That is, for every bottle of spirits sold, two dollars of the purchase price goes to a foundation which in turn, makes donations to various military, police, and firefighter charities.  Not a bad idea, but one of my question was upon looking at the line-up from Brave Spirits–First In Whiskey, Valor Vodka, Standing Guard Gin, and At Ease Rum–how does it taste?  So, I decided to do a series of tastings on each of these products to give you, the consumer, an idea of how these products measure up.

Valor Vodka, the subject of this review, is American-made, as all products from Brave Spirits are, down to the very labels.  In recent years, a wide range of vodkas are being produced in the United States and have turned out exceptionally well.  This should come as no surprise, as vodka is perhaps the most popular spirit sold in the United States.  Vodka is essentially neutral grain spirits diluted with water to the standard 80 proof.   It is inexpensive to make, as it requires no special ingredients and no aging requirements.  While it could be argued that anyone can make vodka, it can also be argued that it takes a real craftsman to make it well.

The goal of most vodka producers in the United States is to produce a spirit with little or no color or flavor.  It is in that vein that we can classify Valor Vodka. The taste is very clean and crisp.  I used Valor Vodka to make a variation on a Cosmopolitan that I’ve been playing with, and it worked very well, lending no flavor to the drink.  While lending no flavor might seem as a dig towards Valor Vodka, it actually is a compliment.  Valor Vodka meets my expectations of what a vodka should be–a clean, crisp spirit that lends itself well in mixed cocktails containing fruit juices or other spirits.  While vodka martinis have become all the rage, I’ve never been a big fan.  There are some exceptions out there, but as a rule, I would rather consume vodka in a mixed drink or cocktail.

I would encourage you to give Valor Vodka a try.  You might find it meets your needs in your home bar.  While not available everywhere in the U.S., you may find online retailers at www.bravespirits.com.

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First In Whiskey (Brave Spirits Part Two)

First In Whiskey should naturally be the first spirit reviewed from Brave Spirits, LLC.  The colors on the bottle remind me of the colors of the U.S. Marine Corps emblem, pictured here.  The Marines are usually the first ones on the ground during a conflict.  My understanding is that they are very proud of that fact.    The bottle resembles a soldier at attention.  This applies to all Brave Spirits products.  Of course, all labeling is done in the patriotic red, white and blue.  I would be remiss not to mention that all Brave Spirits products are made in the United States right down to bottle, cork, label and spirit.

Upon opening the bottle, familiar whiskey aromas hit my nose — nice, warm, and woody.  I pour a small amount in a glass and give it a swirl or two.  The taste is pleasant, echoing the aromas I got when first opening the bottle, along with a hint of coconut and vanilla, from the American Oak barrels which First In matures after distillation in the foothills of Kentucky.  With a splash of water, the taste mellowed and was quite lighter than I am used to in a whiskey.  I cannot call this whiskey a bourbon whiskey, which is what most of us in America are used to drinking, along with the occasional rye.  I’m not saying this isn’t a bourbon, it just doesn’t say so on the label.  What First In is not is merely a reflection of a whiskey.  This is whiskey in the fullest sense and stands on it’s own.

In my opinion, First In does not shine as well neat as some other American whiskeys. However, when mixing in a cocktail it gives a light, yet definite whiskey flavor to the cocktails without overpowering the drink itself.  The light flavor makes it a perfect substitute for a canadian whiskey when first initiating someone to the wonders of whiskey.  I received a few recipes from Brave Spirits.  One of these is featured here:

The First In Ginger: 2 oz First In Whiskey, .5 oz lime juice, and Ginger Ale.  I built this drink in the glass and gave it a quick stir after topping with Ginger Ale.  I used Reed’s Ginger Ale.  The end result was a delicious, light drink suitable for summertime or any time of the year.I am anxious to try it in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.  I fully expect First In to work very well in those as well as any other drink calling for an American whiskey.

Cheers!

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Reviewing: Brave Spirits

Recently I came across a spirit company on Twitter called Brave Spirits.  I visited their website to find that they produce four spirits– Valor Vodka, First In Whiskey, Standing Guard Gin and At Ease Rum.  Hmmm..a patriotic-themed take on spirits.

The whole concept seemed a little over-the-top for me.  My first thought was “how far will people go to sell their booze”.  I did some thinking over the next few days and the fact that a spirits company that donates $2 for every bottle sold to military, police, and firefighter charities was worthy of a second look.

I began thinking about all the retired military personnel that live around me, the National Guard base just behind my office, and the major Army base just a short drive away.  You know, these folks would appreciate Brave Spirits.

I thought further on the idea, taking a step back from the spirits sales point-of-view, and realized that behind the charities that receive monies from Brave Spirits are real people.  This really hit home.  I’ve met some of these people in my line of work who have given more than I could give for our freedom and safety.  Suddenly, the slick promotional side of Brave Spirits gave way to something bigger.

I contacted Powell Arms, COO of Brave Spirits, LLC to inquire further about the company and the spirits they produce.   I thought that Brave Spirits was relatively unknown, but found that to be an incorrect assumption. I was pointed to several resources for more information including their own website, www.bravespirits.com.  While I could reproduce the information given there, I would prefer to let you be the judge and view it yourself.

Hey! Wait a minute!  While this may give you lots of background information on the company, their charitable contributions, and product line it will not give you the information you’re really after….how do these products taste?

Fortunately, I have those answers for you coming up in a series of reviews on each of the four products from Brave Spirits.  First up is naturally, First In Whiskey.

(to be continued)

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