Empirical Spirits, a distillery renowned for its unconventional approach, has teamed up with Doritos, the popular snack brand, to create a daring new spirit infused with the iconic flavor of Doritos Nacho Cheese chips. This unusual partnership marks Doritos’ first foray into the alcohol industry, under the guidance of PepsiCo, and presents a bold new direction for both companies.
The Birth of a Unique Spirit
Empirical Spirits, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is known for its creative and experimental spirit offerings. Founded by Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen, veterans of the esteemed Noma restaurant’s Nordic Food Lab, the distillery has made a name for itself with unusual products like Symphony 6, a citrus and light pink distillation with intriguing ingredients. Their latest venture with Doritos is their most commercially ambitious product yet.
The Making of Doritos-Flavored Alcohol
The Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese spirit is a limited release, available for US$65 for a 750 millilitre bottle. The spirit is created by infusing a standard 78-gram bag of Doritos Nacho Cheese chips into each bottle, resulting in a 42% ABV product. This novel creation is expected to appeal to both spirit enthusiasts and fans of the iconic snack.
A Taste Like No Other
Empirical’s tasting notes describe the spirit as capturing the essence of Doritos Nacho Cheese. It reportedly opens with umami and tangy aromas, moves to corn-forward flavors, and finishes with a soft salty note. Testers have likened the taste to the actual experience of eating Doritos, with a blend of toasted corn, cheese, and onion powder flavors.
Cocktail Creations
To complement the unique spirit, cocktail recipes like the Double Triangle Margarita and a Bloody Mary version have been developed by Iain Griffiths of the acclaimed Mr Lyan bars in London. These cocktails are designed to enhance the corn and cheese powder notes of the spirit.
The Story Behind the Flavor
The idea for a Doritos-flavored spirit originated as an “accident” during Empirical’s early experimental phase. While experimenting with various ingredients, a production team member introduced a bag of Doritos into the mix, leading to a surprisingly successful infusion.
Potential for Future Collaborations
While there are no current plans to extend the collaboration after the initial run sells out, both parties are open to the possibility of renewal. The collaboration is part of Doritos’ broader After Dark platform, encouraging fans to explore culinary creations using Doritos.
Expansion Plans
If production extends beyond the limited release, Empirical plans to offer the Doritos flavor at its upcoming 5,000 sq ft distillery in Brooklyn, New York, set to open in early 2024.
This collaboration between Empirical Spirits and Doritos represents an exciting and innovative venture in the food and beverage industry, merging the worlds of gourmet distilling and popular snacking in a way that challenges traditional flavor boundaries. The launch of this unique spirit highlights the growing trend of creative partnerships and flavor experimentation in the culinary world.
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