Charles Koh
“We’re so thrilled with this honor, especially to have our Seattle bartender authors recognized as some of the best artisans in the country, and in this case, the world,” said Mhairi Voelsgen, co-founder of broVo Spirits.
“From our original single-note liqueurs to our latest Amaro line, it has been our pleasure to work hand in hand with bartenders, as well as support small farms in the development of these unique spirits in our own little distillery.”
broVo Amaro No. 4, Silver Medal
Crafted by Patrick Haight, food and beverage operations manager at Snoqualmie Casino, Amaro No. 4 was created when broVo turned a rhubarb liqueur distilling mistake into an award-winning line of seven Amari-Italian liqueurs. Haight’s Amaro No. 4 opens with a strong hibiscus note, three layers of citrus- orange, lemon and grapefruit- unfold in the middle, and finishes with a eucalyptus simple syrup and a spicy cayenne surprise, making it ideal for signature cocktail menus.
“I’m very humbled to have been part of this amazing project and thrilled that a local distillery such as broVo had the courage to reach out to local bartenders and create such a unique spirit that bartenders have embraced,” said Haight. “Winning the silver medal from the San Francisco Spirits Competition is an unexpected honor.”
Amaro No. 4 is available at a number of Seattle restaurants and bars including Snoqualmie Casino, Canlis, Metropolitan Grill, Elliott’s Oyster House, The Tin Table, Toulouse Petit, Bastille, Tavolata, Tavern Law, Black Bottle Belltown, Back Door at Roxy’s, Ray’s Boathouse, Liberty, Art of the Table, Steelhead Diner, Oddfellows, Barrio, Monsoon East, Naga at Chantanee, RN 74, BaBar, Canon and Tini Bigs. It is available for retail sale at Capco Beverage in West Seattle.
“We would also like to recognize all of the amaro authors- John Ueding, former bar manager at Trellis, now Craft Spirits Manager of Click Wholesale; Scott Diaz of Elliott’s Oyster House; Sarah Wyan of Oddfellows Café; Sara Fisher of The Hideout and Hazlewood; Paul Ritums of Local 360; and Marley Tomic-Beard of Smith. Each one authored a unique amaro and together they make an interesting product line.” said Voelsgen.
broVo +RG2 Rose Geranium, Bronze Medal
Rose Geranium is a rare delicate plant grown organically in Washington state, and harvested at the end of summer to maximize flavor. It’s slow distilled in small batches to make one of the broVo ladies’ original single-note botanical liqueurs, broVo Rose Geranium Liqueur.
Voelsgen also credits Rose Geranium’s bronze medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition to local bartenders, including Ueding and Diaz, mentioned above, as well as Anu Apte of Rob Roy, Andrew Friedman of Liberty Bar, Casey Robison of Barrio/Heavy Restaurant Group, and Jim Romdall at Vessel.
“The coaching and advice from these bartenders is truly what is behind our win,” said Voelsgen. “They deserve recognition for helping us improve on the Rose Geranium and make it better with their feedback. Every new artisan distillery is dependent on the advice and guidance of bartenders, who make their product better. Our win is really their win.”
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is regarded as the most respected spirits competition in the world. Products are evaluated by top spirits professionals and are judged in a blind, consensual procedure ensuring competitive integrity and making this annual competition the most reputable and recognized competition in the spirits industry.
More than 1,400 spirits were judged during the largest competition in the 13-year history of the event, conducted March 21-24 at the Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco. Top medal winners will be featured in the May 2013 issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine.
About broVo Spirits
broVo Spirits is a new artisan distillery started in Washington state in late 2011. Co-founders Erin Brophy and Mhairi Voelsgen cashed out their 401ks, went to distilling school and began working with local Washington farmers to design five unique liqueurs: Rose Geranium, Lemon Balm, Ginger, Lavender and Douglas Fir. In early 2013, the ladies released a line of seven Amaro flavors developed in collaboration with Seattle area bartenders. For more information, visit www.broVoSpirits.com and follow broVo on Twitter and Facebook.
