New Spirit: Barsol Perfecto Amor

Earlier this year, Anchor Distilling Company brought a new product to the U.S. market, Barsol Perfecto Amor, a Peruvian aperitif.

Josh and I were both excited to try it. Funnily, Josh kept referring to it That Pisco, and I kept referring to it as That Wine, and when we both tried it, we found that we were both terribly right and terribly wrong!

Barsol Perfecto Amor is a fun blend of both pisco and aperitif—pisco is added to the fermenting grapes. Sweet like a dessert wine and savory like a sherry, the aperitif wine pleasantly balanced the two.

According to the distributor, the spirit has some old ties. It's produced in Peru's Ica Valley, where pisco is famously made, and distilled in Peru, Bodega San Isidro, an old spot that dates back to the 1800s.

With sherry on the rise, we felt that Barsol Perfecto Amor offers a very accessible option for drinkers still getting used to fortified wines. At 17% alcohol, it's stronger than the majority of wines, but much gentler than a spirit or liqueur. It's bright like raisins but still a little nutty and not too sweet or syrupy. Every note is soft and round. It's easy to drink on its own or as part of a cocktail.

At many places you can find a bottle for under $20, too—which makes it really affordable, more so than most good sherries. It's a fun bottle to keep in the fridge as a sip for guests or a small glass before or after dinner.

Behind the Scenes of Our Video Shoot with Victoria George [pictures]

These days I feel like I am running around from video shoot to video shoot. Weekdays, weekends, nights, days—shoot, shoot, shoot! It's a good thing that I enjoy it. Because at the end of the day, the things to know about shoots are that: 1) Video shoots can take a long time, 2) Video shoots are a lot of work, and 3) Video shoots are tons of FUN! (The extra No. 4: Video shoots require a lot of coffee.) Everyone should try to take part in one at least once in their life.

For Victoria's shoot, we arrived on set at 11 am and wrapped at 7 pm (with some breaks and the help of a lot of coffee and tea). Whew! During that period, we were running around, setting up lighting, capturing Victoria in her natural element. We also had a lot of fun just catching up and talking, as she got her bar ready and we fiddled with the cameras. My video mentor Dave says that after you shoot with someone, you suddenly feel like you've been through a lot together. It is very true!

I wanted to share a tiny bit of the experience with you guys. Video shoots are not only a great chance to have fun together. We also get to take some fun pictures! Here are a few from the shoot:



Here we are getting ready to roll. I am testing the shot, and Victoria is getting ready behind the bar and looking so chic in the process!



Getting ducks in a row as Victoria preps to make her drink.



Josh is getting ducks in a row, too.



"Dry run!"



One thing that shocked me is how much work it takes to open a bar. Lugging large buckets of ice, carrying cases of bottles, setting up all the garnishes—it's no easy task.



And of course, the drink that took the spotlight! The Panic at the Pisco—a really fun summery twist on a mint julep. Bright and tasty. The drink was made from these guys:



See the full behind-the-scenes set on Flickr here.

Spotlight on Rickhouse's Victoria George: How to Make a "Panic at the Pisco"

Josh and I are convinced that Victoria George from Rickhouse is one of the city's most elegant bartenders. When we watch her raise her shaker and gently rock the cocktail into existence, there is an uncanny grace to the movement—like a waltz.

That's just one reason why we were elated when Victoria asked us to help her make a video for the Campo de Encanto Pisco apprenticeship contest. Aside from being a completely delightful person, Victoria posses the winning combination of a finely tuned palate paired with an elegant flair to her bartending. We couldn't wait!

The only challenge? We had only a few days to shoot and edit the video.

Well, after days of hard work, we are excited to share this short spotlight on one of San Francisco's most darling bartenders, Victoria George. She shares a little about her passion for bartending and teaches us how to make her original Panic at the Pisco—a fun, refreshing twist on the classic mint julep. (This recipe will be handy come summertime!)

Meet Victoria and learn how to make her drink in the video above (for those with ADD—you know who you are—find a shorter version with just the cocktail recipe here). Watch in 1080p for best results!