Elite Traveler HRS 2018-2019

DISCOVER

elite traveler HOTELS, RESORTS & SPAS 2018/2019 26

by Emma Reynolds Wine & Spirits

There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the local culture than with a delicious cocktail. From Kentucky to Capri, indulge in the finest varieties of spirits these countries have to offer

BOURBON IN KENTUCKY BLACKBERRY FARM

LIMONCELLO IN CAPRI CAPRI PALACE

This 4,200-acre estate is regarded as one of the best small luxury hotels in the world thanks to its intimate locale at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Kentucky and its inimitable Southern hospitality and cuisine. Its location in the heart of the bourbon capital of America gives it unique access to some of the finest small-batch artisan-made bottles in the country. Whether you choose to sip on a glass at the hotel’s Dogwood Bar or The Barn Bar, or prefer to enjoy a local tipple from the renowned Buffalo Trace Distillery in the comfort of your private cottage, Blackberry Farm is where you’re meant to be. Opt for a tasting experience of whiskey, brandy or wine to hear about each spirit’s rich history. blantonsbourbon.com, blackberryfarm.com

Grown with lemons from the colorful orchards of Capri and Amalfi in Italy, limoncello is best enjoyed as a digestif while surrounded by friends and family after a savory Italian meal. Though its origins have been disputed (the Southern Italian towns have agreed to disagree on where it was first made), we suggest enjoying a sip (or two) with stunning panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian Sea at the immaculate Capri Palace. Savor some of the elixir as you watch a golden sunset. You’ll be inspired by the contemporary artwork and stark w cerulean furnishings while relaxing in one of the most glorious destinations on earth. caravellaus.com, capripalace.com hite and

CACHAÇA IN BRAZIL BELMOND COPACABANA PALACE

WHISKY IN JAPAN THE RITZ-CARLTON TOKYO

While you may have tried cachaça in Brazil’s national cocktail, the caipirinha, the spirit isn’t all too popular outside the country. Cachaça is a distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane grown in Brazil, and similar to rum, it can be enjoyed on the rocks or mixed into a cocktail. Its taste lies somewhere on the spectrum between rum and tequila: It starts out sweet and ends with a kick. Try it for yourself lying poolside at the Art Deco–designed Belmond Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, or while walking along the golden beach just across the street from the hotel. One thing’s for certain, you’ll definitely be dancing like a local after a few drinks of this buzzy and flavorful spirit. novofogo.com, belmond.com

Japanese whisky has earned its place in the competitive world of rye — and most well-known of them all is Yamazaki, one of the first whiskies produced in Japan. What makes this whisky so special is the unique growing climate of the region — humid, misty and temperate, which is ideal for cask aging, known as the “Suntory Maturation.” The Yamazaki 12 Year features notes of peach, pineapple, grapefruit, clove and orange — a citrus and fruity answer to your classic smoked varieties. Drink a glass of this single malt at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo’s 45th-floor bar while indulging in the best views of the city and enjoying the live music every afternoon through evening. whisky.suntory.com, ritzcarlton.com

Photos Heather Anne Thomas/Beall + Thomas Photography, Nacasa & Partners Inc, Romulo Fialdini