This year, I've been embarking on a quest called "Around the World in 80 Plates," trying to eat my way across the globe without leaving the Inland Northwest (read weekly installments at inlander.com/aroundtheworld).
But no meal is complete without a drink, amiright?
Turns out, you can also taste the world from the comfort of Spokane's downtown bar scene. Pick a dream destination, plan a trip, and ask your favorite tour guide — ahem, bartender — for one of these unique international flavors. I'll leave a couple of tips, but mostly let you discover and explore on your own. Adventure is out there!
ARMENIA
Spirit: Hye-Land Armenian WhiskeyFind at: Skewers
BOLIVIA
Spirit: Singani, a centuries-old brandy distilled from white grapesFind at: Hogwash Whiskey Den
BRAZIL
Spirit: Amburana Founder's Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon WhiskeyFind at: Purgatory Craft Beer and Whiskey
Notes: Rare Brazilian amburana oak barrels are imported into Kentucky for this extremely high-end spirit. This is one of six bottles available in the entire state — a taste will cost you about $55. If you want to experience some amburana flavor without paying through the nose, try a half-ounce of Barrell Bourbon's Cask Finish Series whiskey finished in the luxury oak but that only costs $7.
CHICAGO, USA
Spirit: Jeppson's MalörtFind at: Berserk, Bijou, Volstead Act
Notes: This tastes as dirty as the Chicago River. Which might be a good or bad thing, depending on your affection for the city.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Spirit: BecherovkaFind at: Volstead Act
Notes: Spicy and sweet, and in the back of the refrigerated cabinet. It might take the bartender a minute to find, but it's worth it.
ETHIOPIA
Spirit: Tej, technically not a spirit but a traditional Ethiopian wine distilled from honey instead of grapesFind at: Queen of Sheba
FRANCE
Spirit: Bigallet China-China Amer Liqueur, a "gateway amaro" with forward orange and bergamot flavorsFind at: Cease and Desist
GREECE
Spirit: Stray Dog Wild Gin, with botanicals and citrus hand-foraged from the Greek countrysideFind at: Emma Rue's
ICELAND
Spirit: Opal LiqueurFind at: Berserk, Volstead Act
Notes: Someone described this to me as "salty robitussin." Bartenders use it to play pranks on each other. If you don't like black licorice and the medicinal tang of eucalyptus, be warned. Also, an industry rep assured me this is NOT a potato-based spirit, despite the plethora of misleading information online. It's a neutral grain spirit. This is a traditional Icelandic drink, and potatoes don't grow in Iceland.
ISRAEL
Spirit: M&H Levantine Gin, distilled from honeyFind at: Emma Rue's
ITALY
Spirit: Liquore Strega, a bright yellow liqueur that's sweet and herbal, similar to a yellow ChartreuseFind at: Cease and Desist
Notes: Ask for an ounce or two of this on its own. It's perfectly lovely to sip.
Spirit: Kapriol, a distillate from Italian forest herbs based on a recipe from 1948
Find at: Radio Bar
Notes: Looking for the widest selections of unique Italian amaros in Spokane? Check out Gander & Ryegrass or Sorella.
LEBANON
Spirit: Touma Arak Liqueur, a grape-based spirit flavored with anise seedFind at: Bistango Martini Bar
THE NETHERLANDS
Spirit: Bols Genever, sometimes considered a predecessor to ginFind at: Berserk
PAN-AFRICA
Spirit: Bayab African Rose Gin, with botanicals sourced from across the continentFind at: Emma Rue's
SERBIA
Spirit: Yebiga Bela and Yebiga Prva, two "rakija," or brandies, distilled from plumsFind at: Hogwash Whiskey Den
SPOKANE, USA
Spirit: The entire lines from Browne's Family Spirits and Dry Fly DistillingFind at: Heritage Bar & Kitchen (and many more!)
Notes: Love where you live, and celebrate it any chance you get!
TAIWAN
Spirit: Kavalan Single Malt WhiskeyFind at: Hogwash Whiskey Den
THAILAND
Spirit: Ya dong, a traditional Thai rice whiskey with herbsFind at: Wooden City
VIETNAM
Spirit: Saigon Baigur, the first gin to be distilled in Ho Chi Minh CityFind at: Emma Rue's ♦
