Time flies with Tempus Fugit Spirits

Tempus Fugit Spirits seeks out fine rare liquors that were once staples in classic pre-prohibition cocktails, but have been lost in time. They re-create these liquors using historic 19th century protocols, to arrive as close in taste to these forgotten spirits as is possible, or surpass them.

Their focus is on what is often called a cocktail ‘modifier’; those spirit-based ingredients used to transform whisky, gin, rum, etc. into a cocktail.  Most modern modifiers use artificial flavours and colours.  Tempus Fugit is faithful to the original recipes, created well before such fake ingredients existed.

There are several products in the range with more on the way, but given the recent resurgence in the Negroni, we thought we’d highlight the Gran Classico Bitter (28%).

Gran Classico was developed by reverting back to the original Italian recipe from the 1860’s.  It is made from a maceration of a mixture of 25 aromatic herbs and roots including wormwood, gentian, bitter orange peel, rhubarb, and hyssop. Gran Classico Bitter stands alone beautifully but also has amazing range as a modifier. It offers a more complex, non-red alternative Bitter ingredient for the world-famous Negroni.

Paul Pacult’s review: Tawny colour… Entry is all about the rhubarb upfront, then in midpalate the gentian dominates before the orange peel comes rushing back in the finish as well as a piny/resiny quality that makes the aftertaste smashingly delicious. Campari drinkers take note: the ultimate expression of Bitter.

The other Tempus Fugit products are:

Tempus Fugit Spirits Crème de Cacao – 24%

Tempus Fugit Spirits Crème de Menthe Glaciale – 28%

Tempus Fugit Spirits Liqueur de Violettes – 22%

Tempus Fugit Spirits Crème de Noyaux – 30%

Fernet del Frate Angelico – 44%

Kina L’Aéro d’Or – 18%

Available from Vanguard Luxury Brands, phone 1300 DRINKS or go to www.vanguardluxurybrands.com