NOLADrinks Show – 8-24-17 – Independent Spirits Producers at Tales of the Cocktail

On this edition of the NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we’re all about independent spirits producers at Tales of the Cocktail! We talk Armagnac with Julien Ducos of Tariquet, various interesting spirits with the gang from Preiss Imports, and Luke McKinley and Agenor Maccari of Novo Fogo Cachaça.

Pictured above from left – Claudia Bailoni of The Bailoni Company, Henry Preiss and Nicole Preiss of Preiss Imports, and Bryan Dias of NOLADrinks.

NOLADrinks Show 8-24-17 – Independent Spirits Producers at Tales of the Cocktail

We start things off talking about some food and restaurant connected stuff here in New Orleans and some beer news. We then move into our interviews that all center around independent spirits producers at Tales of the Cocktail. We recorded these interviews during the event. There is a lot of interesting (and delicious!) stuff here…

First off, we talk with Julien Ducos (pictured at left) of Domaine du Tariquet. Located in Gascony, France, they produce terrific Armagnacs and still wines. Here, we focus on Armagnac. We talk about the similarities and differences between it and it’s “sibling,” Cognac. We discuss the grapes used, the production method, the importance of terroir, and much more. We taste some truly terrific Armagnac expressions, as well (of course)!

Then, the father-and-daughter team of Henry and Nicole Preiss, owners of Preiss Imports, along with Claudia Bailoni of the Bailoni Company (and is also interning with the Preiss’ in San Diego) join the show. They are importers of independent sprits with a fascinating and extensive portfolio. We talk about and discover a few terrific items they are currently highlighting. These include Polugar, a Sotol by Sotol Coyote, The Black Note Amaro by Turin Vermouth (a tribute to jazz), Aromatique (a German liqueur similar to Amaro, but very spice-driven), Vergnano Maraschino Liqueur, and two Bailoni products – their apricot liqueur and apricot schnapps. We taste and discuss these tasty spirits – fascinating stuff!