Continuing the conversation about the booze business in the face of the pandemic, I had the chance to sit down this week with my longtime friend Nicolas Palazzi to discuss retail logistics, supply chain woes, and all the other challenges facing importers and distributors with COVID-19 spiking once again. Nicolas gave a very honest and transparent account of the hardships he’s faced at PM Spirits over the last two years, shining a light on how far we still have to go before “normal” ever exists in the wine and spirits industry again.
Eleven writers, spirits experts and bartenders pick the one bottle under $75 they'll be gifting this year.
Over the course of the year, we’ve asked a number of sommeliers and retailers to weigh in on the wines we ought to be drinking—orange wines, summer wines, quarantine wines. We even compiled a list of our favorite cocktails, the ones we turned to time and again to keep us sane in the depths of isolation. But now, as the annual tidal wave of gift guides is upon us, we thought we’d check in with our team and our favorite spirits connoisseurs to see how they’ll be tackling their holiday gifting this year. The question was simple: What is the one bottle you’ll be giving—and would be very excited to receive—under $75. Here’s what they had to say.
This pineau has been aged for an impressive 30 years, leading to complex notes of honey, raisin, almond and even a hint of mushroom. It’s such a versatile spirit, which can be enjoyed neat as an aperitif or digestif, or a splash can be added to a classic Martini or a glass of brut Champagne. [BUY] —Paul McGee, co-owner, Lost Lake
