Review: Figlia Fiore and Fiore Frizzante Non-Alcoholic Aperitifs
Figlia is a New York-based brand of non-alcoholic aperitivi, designed by creator Lily Geiger specifically to curtail alcohol consumption. In her “about us” narrative, she explicitly cites losing her father to alcoholism, and that she herself doesn’t like the way alcohol makes her feel anymore. It’s a bold introduction to an interesting brand which so…
Review: Hard Truth Mizunara Finished Sweet Mash Rye
Finishing casks — also known as secondary maturation — have become a hot trend in the American whiskey industry. With the seemingly endless variety of cask-finished options now on the market, it can feel like this has always been the norm. However, the practice is relatively recent. The first commercially released finished American whiskey dates…
Review: 2021 Ancient Peaks Oyster Ridge and Pearl Cabernet Sauvignon
As the weather (barely) starts to cool, we’re looking forward to heartier wines that stick to the ribs. Here’s a pair from our pals at Paso Robles-based Ancient Peaks that could fit the bill. 2021 Ancient Peaks Oyster Ridge Paso Robles – A blend of 69% cabernet sauvignon, 20% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot, 3%…
Review: Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Beacon
The final release in Wild Turkey’s incredible Master’s Keep series is here, ending a run of whiskeys that began in 2015 and culminates with Beacon, a selection of two bourbons blended together, one picked by Master Distiller Eddie Russell and one by Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell. Per the company: Master’s Keep Beacon is a blend…
Review: Compass Box Flaming Heart 25th Anniversary Edition 2025
It is almost hard to believe that boutique Scotch blender Compass Box has been with us for a quarter century. To celebrate their 25th anniversary, they recently released a commemorative edition of Flaming Heart, one of their earliest expressions and a bottle that helped put the Compass Box name on the whisky world’s radar all…
Review: Bhakta Calvados 1989
Bhakta Spirits, known for its rare whiskeys and Armagnacs, is moving into another spirits category, and this one’s a curious choice: Calvados, aka French apple brandy. Its inaugural bottling of Bhakta 1989 Pays d’Auge Calvados is its first-ever single varietal Calvados offering. Only 3 barrels are being turned out. Some details: Distilled in Normandy’s prestigious…
Review: Lemon Hart & Son Original 1804 and 151 Rum
The Lemon Hart & Son rum brand gets its curious name from the nickname of the brand’s founder. Lehman “Lemon” Hart transformed his grandfather’s German-based rum import business into a blending powerhouse in the later 18th century, eventually becoming the first official supplier of rum to the British Royal Navy in 1804 (for the 150…
Review: Sagamore Spirit Rye 10 Years Old (2025)
Founded in 2013 with a vision to revive Maryland’s proud — but nearly forgotten— rye whiskey tradition, Sagamore Spirit set out on a path few dared to tread. Backed by one of Under Armour’s original architects of hustle, Sagamore approached rye whiskey with the same grit and performance mindset that built a sportswear empire —…