Steven Soderbergh releases Bolivian spirit in UK

Hollywood director Steven Soderbergh has launched his Singani 63 brand – a Muscat of Alexandria-based spirit made in Bolivia – in the UK.

Hollywood director Steven Soderbergh has released his Bolivian grape spirit, Singani 63, in the UK

The film director turned spirit purveyor was in London on Monday to launch his pet production – Singani 63.

After falling for the Bolivian spirit 11 years ago while shooting the film Che in Bolivia with Benicio del Toro, he later teamed up with Casa Real, a Tarija-based distillery, to become the sole exporter of its black label in 2014.

Singani 63 is made from the Muscat of Alexandria grape

A little-known white spirit, singani has been produced in Bolivia for five centuries, which fascinated Soderbergh, spurring him to bring it to a larger audience.

The result is Singani 63 – named after his year of birth – and Soderbergh is on a mission to unleash Bolivia’s best-kept liquid secret on the world.

Known for its fragrant, aromatic aromas and smooth mouth-feel after a double distillation at 1,850 metres above sea level, Singani 63 has been available in Soderbergh’s native US for the past three years.

Produced in a similar way to Pisco, the main differences are that singani uses a single grape variety, Muscat of Alexandria, and is only sourced from Tarija in mountainous southern Bolivia, an area also known for Tannat production.

A move into the UK, however, is key for the director, potentially boosting his case for singani to receive its own classification in the US.

Soderbergh told The Drinks Business: “Two crucial forms of inspiration for me were created in the UK – The Beatles and Kingsley Amis’ book Everyday Drinking.

“Launching Singani 63 here is my small way of expressing a lifetime of gratitude.”

Top US bartenders Ivy Mix of New York City’s Leyenda and Alex Day of Denver’s Death & Co, were on hand at the event at Flemings in Mayfair, to prove singani’s versatility.

Mix’s Point Being cocktail, a blend of Singani 63, rye whiskey, Massenez plum brandy, Moscatel and aromatic bitters, was a smooth hitter, while Day’s The Bounce House starred Singani 63, gin, dry vermouth, Amaro Nonino, pineapple gum syrup, pêche de vigne, fresh lemon juice and a fresh peach garnish.

Soderbergh, however, recommends it on the the rocks – his preferred method of drinking it – for the fully expressive experience.