Review: High Wire Jimmy Red Wheated Bourbon 7 Years Old
Situated in Charleston, South Carolina, High Wire Distilling centers its bourbon around an heirloom variety of corn known as Jimmy Red. While most bourbons utilize bulk commodity grain with relatively homogenous profiles, this whiskey relies on corn with a much higher sugar content, which sets it apart. The mashbill is constituted of 79% Jimmy Red…
Review: Whiskeys of Brother Justus
Brother Justus Whiskey Company calls northeast Minneapolis home. The fledgling American single malt distillery utilizes a mashbill of Minnesota pale ale 2-row barley malted by Rahr Malting. Capturing some local terroir, Brother Justus matures its whiskey in new oak barrels harvested from the Minnesota Oak Savanna. Oak growing in cold climates yields tighter wood grain…
Review: Vermouths of Silvio Carta, Complete Lineup
Silvio Carta produces a range of both sweet vermouth and dry vermouth wines from its home in Sardinia. How about a little backstory to kick things off? Founded in the 1950s by the rebellious winemaker Silvio in Baratili San Pietro, the award-winning company focuses on traditional Vernaccia di Oristano wine production and was the first to…
Review: Bourbon de Luxe (2024)
After 113 years, the rumors of Bourbon de Luxe’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Indeed, the storied brand is back under new ownership, with a label that harkens back to its early to mid-century glory days. First, a quick history lesson, thanks in large part to bourbon historian and attorney Brian Haara. Bourbon de Luxe…
Review: Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell 70th Anniversary Release 8 Years Old
Wild Turkey‘s latest bourbon celebrates 70 years of Jimmy Russell. Mind you, that’s not Jimmy’s 70th birthday — it’s his 70th anniversary of working at the distillery. That places his start date in 1954. That year, Eisenhower was President. The landmark court case Brown v. Board of Education was decided. Sputnik was launched. Jimmy, now…
Review: NV Barons de Rothschild Champagne Concordia Brut and Blanc de Blanc
Although the Rothschild family has literally centuries of winemaking history, they only began making Champagne in 2005. Not surprisingly, despite its youthfulness, their Champagne house, Baron de Rothchild, already produces outstanding Champagnes that reveal the family’s deep knowledge of winemaking and commitment to quality. Today we are trying two varieties. Let’s consider each. NV Barons…
Review: Lost Lantern Fall 2024 Single Cask Releases
Based in Vermont, independent bottler Lost Lantern is releasing its oldest whiskeys to date with the 2024 Fall Single Cask Collection. As the craft whiskey movement gains longevity, Lost Lantern has been gradually releasing single casks with older age statements. The newest series features three whiskeys with at least 10 years of maturation and a…
Review: Newair Countertop Whiskey Ice Ball Maker
Ice is a relatively modern creation that most take for granted today. To many, it almost seems unfathomable to not be able to enjoy a soda or alcoholic beverage chilled with ice. Early access to ice was once achieved through the laborious practice of harvesting from the surface of frozen lakes in the dead of…
