Star Trek Spirits is a collaboration project between CBS and Wines That Rock (WTR). WTR is a premium wine company focusing on high-quality product development through brand partnerships. The company aims to bring consumers closer to their favorite brands by capturing cultural aesthetics and thematic elements in a liquor bottle.
Well received in both commercial and critical acclaim, Star Trek Spirits is one of WTR’s standout ventures. As part of the project, Star Trek Spirits launched two out-of-this-world spirit drinks inspired by the iconic Romulan Ale. Bottled in carefully designed bespoke vessels, Romulan Ale Vodka and Romulan Ale Whiskey promise an immersive Star Trek experience.
Discover the full story behind the creative process and production of these Romulan Ale-inspired spirits. Also, learn the best ways to enjoy these drinks and create a cosmic drinking moment.
Star Trek Spirits: An Introduction
The project began with a lofty mission: crafting a spirit to perfectly capture the legendary essence of Romulan Ale from Star Trek.
Founders of the project sought to develop an immersive experience for Star Trek fans, paying homage to the cultural impact created by the series. In line with the Star Trek spirit of discovery and exploration, the spirit drinks are designed to be enjoyed as prized collectibles.
The first release from the project is Romulan Ale Rye, a premium rye whiskey with a 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley blend. The addition of barley balances the spicy notes from the rye grain, imparting sweetness and depth to the flavor profile.
Guided by experts, the production process combines traditional whiskey-making techniques with modern technology. The result yields a complex spirit with high proof yet incredible smoothness.
To start, the whiskey is fermented using a 150-year-old yeast strain, aged for two years in charred white oak barrels. Then, the liquor undergoes a second distillation process where it is distilled in a vacuum. This preserves the delicate aromas and retains the original flavor composition, ensuring a high-quality experience.
In the glass, the whiskey appears a sophisticated dark blue, reminiscent of the midnight sky.
The initial mouthfeel evokes a distinct rye character, which develops to reveal creamy notes of vanilla. The nose opens warm and spicy, with subtle, sweet undertones of dried fruits including figs and raisins. Romulan Ale Rye delivers a peppery kick at the finish, adding richness to the gentle flavors.
The second release from the project is Romulan Ale Vodka, a striking, electric blue spirit representative of Star Trek's eclectic themes. It is crafted in a four-step distillation process, expertly designed by a family of 13th-generation distillers. This technique produces a clean, smooth spirit that does not contain unpleasant notes or rubbing alcohol scent.
Visually, the spirit mesmerizes through its clear blue appearance and sparkling finish. It has a grainy aroma complemented by lingering, sweet notes of corn. The liquor delivers a full-bodied mouthfeel, making for a satisfying, premium drinking experience.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Star Trek Spirits?
Canonically, Romulan Ale in the original series is shown to deliver an instant kick when consumed. It can be gleaned from the series that Romulan Ale is supposed to be high in alcohol content.
Star Trek Spirits has not clarified the proof level of Romulan Ale Rye. However, the standard strength for rye whiskey liquors ranges between 40-50 percent alcohol by volume. It can be inferred that Romulan Ale Rye is around this alcohol strength.
The alcohol strength of Romulan Ale Vodka is 40 percent alcohol by volume. Initially, the vodka is distilled to 192 proof, which is then cut to 80 proof for bottling.
What Is the History of Star Trek Spirits?
Several years before launch, CBS and Wines That Rock joined hands in a mission to reimagine Romulan Ale for Star Trek fans. The liquor made its first appearance in Star Trek II: The Wrath of the Khan.
The series created an air of mystery around the drink, never elaborating on the contents of the striking blue bottle. The only fact that is somewhat known about this elusive beverage is that it packs a potent punch. Stage directions to Star Trek actors consuming the drink were to appear “instantly drunk” emphasizing the spirit’s high alcohol strength.
With these facts in hand, Star Trek Spirits set out to create the perfect Romulan Ale spirit. An internet poll was sent out to gather public opinion about the drink. Their exploration confirmed that Romulan could not be a wine or beer drink, it had to be something more potent.
Following this survey, experts were called in to translate the concept into a product, demystifying Romulan Ale.
The spirits were crafted by a 13th-generation master distiller, yielding two premium quality drinks: Romulan Ale Vodka and Romulan Ale Rye. The drinks were launched into the market in December 2022 and were received with much excitement by Star Trek fans.
Where Are Star Trek Spirits From?
Crafted in celebration of American pop cultural moments, Romulan Ale Rye and Romulan Ale Vodka are classic American spirits. With roots in the Midwest, Romulan Ale Vodka is distilled in the Napa Area.
On the other hand, Romulan Ale Rye is crafted in Kentucky. Production techniques used by Star Trek Spirits are also true to American spirit-making traditions.
When Were Star Trek Spirits Created?
The concept for Romulan Ale has existed since the drink was first aired in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Wines That Rock began translating the drink’s concept into a project in the late 2010s, right as Star Trek fan projects saw a resurgence.
Co-founder of Star Trek Spirits, Howard Jacowitz noted that recreating the Romulan Ale bottles was one of his most technically challenging undertakings. Bottles used originally in the series were unfit for consumption use, so the project sought the expertise of glass artisans and prop masters.
After several rounds of trial and experimentation, a custom-designed Romulan Ale vessel was finalized for bottling.
Simultaneously, a team of world-class distillers worked on creating spirit drinks that would perfectly capture the galactic theme around Romulan Ale. In 2022, Star Trek Spirits launched two limited-release spirit drinks into the American market. Each bottle features individually numbered labels, making the product a collectible.
What Types of Star Trek Spirits Are There?
Star Trek Spirits began with two spirit drinks, both developed to stand out in their own right. The first release was Romulan Ale Rye, a rye-based whiskey drink, and the second was Romulan Ale Vodka, a premium vodka spirit.
Romulan Ale Rye
Romulan Ale Rye is crafted in a careful distillation process that starts with fermenting the grain with 150-year-old yeast. The grain consists of 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley. The spirit goes through a vacuum distillation process, ensuring smoothness at a high-proof level. It has a complex flavor profile with subtle fruity notes underscoring the rye graininess.
Romulan Ale Vodka
Romulan Ale Vodka is created through a carefully designed four-phased distillation process. The vodka is clear reflective blue and has a dense, luxurious texture. The technique ensures that the spirit is not highly filtered, allowing for greater retention of base aromatics and flavors.
VIEW PRODUCT ON STAR TREK SPIRITS'S SITE
What Ingredients Are in Star Trek Spirits?
The formula development for Star Trek Spirits drinks reflects a commitment to creating the finest quality spirits.
Ingredients for the spirit drinks are all sourced from within America. The recipe for Romulan Ale Vodka uses premium wheat grain and corn from the Midwest. Romulan Ale Rye contains a mixture of 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley.
Star Trek Spirits has not disclosed the full ingredient lists for their drinks, maintaining the cultural mystery surrounding Romulan Ale. Merging tradition with innovation, the recipes are designed to produce a sophisticated drinking experience.
How Much Do Star Trek Spirits Usually Cost?
Star Trek Spirits is a high-end venture, producing one-of-a-kind collectible Romulan Ale drinks. The pricing for both drinks is on the higher side. The standard 750ml Romulan Ale Rye retails for $85 USD on the company website. The Romulan Ale Vodka is priced between $60-75 USD.
Since the drinks are limited-release and not available internationally, prices can vary significantly between regions. Consult your local bars and restaurants for accurate pricing information.
What Is the Best Way to Enjoy Star Trek Spirits?
From the custom-designed glass bottles to the complex, brilliantly hued liquor, Star Trek Spirits has designed the drinks to provide a rich sensory experience.
The Romulan Ale Rye drink can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. It blends spicy rye notes with the sweet creaminess of corn, developing into a smooth finish. The flavor profile makes Romulan Ale Rye a versatile mixer. Combine with lemon juice, maple syrup, and a dash of bitters to enjoy an old-fashioned whiskey sour drink.
The Romulan Ale Vodka can be served neat in shot glasses to savor its rich texture and bold flavor. Pair with cheese, grilled chicken, or fresh seafood for an enhanced dining experience.
How to Choose a Good Star Trek Spirits Drink
Star Trek Spirits offers standard versions of each drink. To date, only two exclusive spirit drinks have been released: the Romulan Ale Rye Whiskey and the Romulan Ale Vodka. Both iterations of the Star Trek Romulan Ale are classic drinks crafted with high-quality ingredients and premium liquor-making techniques.
If you appreciate clean, complex flavors, you can reach for either drink depending on the occasion. The vodka is free of any rubbing alcohol traces and is distilled to ensure only the heart of the spirit is bottled. The rye whiskey drink has a layered flavor profile derived from a specialized aging process.
Where Can You Find Star Trek Spirits?
Star Trek Spirits is available to purchase online from the company website in 33 states across the US. The drinks are also available in select liquor retail stores, including on our own website. Distribution of the drinks internationally is limited due to the exclusive release.
Star Trek Spirits FAQs
Star Trek Spirits ventures into areas where few spirit makers have gone before, with their brightly colored drinks and innovative glass bottles. This naturally invites a lot of intrigue regarding the drinks. Here’s a list of the most frequent inquiries and the answers to them.
How Strong Is Star Trek Spirits Romulan Ale?
In the TV series, Romulan Ale is known to pack a serious punch, with its inebriating effects kicking in instantly. The Romulan Ale Vodka drink crafted by Star Trek Spirits contains 40 percent alcohol by volume, making it a strong alcoholic beverage.
What Color Is Star Trek Spirits Romulan Ale?
Romulan Ale is depicted as a bright blue drink in the Star Trek universe. Star Trek Spirits replicated the striking color in both of their releases–Romulan Ale Rye and Romulan Ale Vodka.
Romulan Ale Rye uses a special dye that imbues the drink with a deep midnight blue color, reminiscent of the galaxy. Romulan Ale Vodka is a lighter sparkling blue, creating a mesmerizing sheen when swirled in the glass.
Is Star Trek Spirits Romulan Ale Illegal?
In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Romulan Ale was declared illegal by the Federation, possibly due to its association with Romulan adversaries. Fret not, though, the liquor produced by Star Trek Spirits is perfectly legal to drink, and free from any interstellar conflicts!
Is Star Trek Spirits Romulan Ale a Beer?
A common misconception about Star Trek Spirits liquor is that it is a beer. This is because Romulan Ale in the original series implies that the beverage may be a beer. However, fan perceptions regarding the characteristics of the drink align better with it being a whiskey or vodka beverage.
Going Beyond Final Frontiers With Star Trek Spirits
Star Trek Spirits is a tribute to the TV show’s decades-old legacy. Through their premium spirit drinks, the project reimagines Romulan Ale in a modern formula through innovative liquor-making techniques. Embark on a galactic journey across the Final Frontier as you sip these standout drinks.
Not sure which of their spirits you want to start out with? We recommend their Romulan Ale Rye.
