Review: Deschutes Brewery Jubelale Winter Ale 2013
Ho ho ho, Merry, uh, Halloween? Deschutes annual winter brew release, Jubelale, is is here… a tad early, but who’s complaining? We missed the last couple of releases of this seasonal beer, but like an old glove it still fits well. This year’s release is nutty and malty, with a chocolatey core that wavers between…
Review: Colorado Gold Bourbon and Corn Whiskey
Colorado continues to rise as a key craft distilling region. One of the vanguards is Colorado Gold, a company out of Cedaredge, which was established in 2007. The company makes a full range of spirits, and today we’re looking at two of its most popular ones, both whiskeys, and very different ones at that. Thoughts follow.…
Review: Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon
Finally, someone’s doing the maple-flavored whiskey thing right. Let me step back. In general I’m ambivalent toward flavored whiskeys. I don’t much see the point, as if I wanted flavor with my whiskey I’d just mix up a cocktail. Still, shortcuts are shortcuts, and there’s something to be said for having your favorite mix pre-bottled…
Review: 3 Amigos Tequila, Complete Lineup
3 Amigos, based in the Jalisco Highlands, produces a veritable plethora of tequilas, all of which we got a chance a experience. These tequilas are double-distilled instead of the usual three. All expressions are 80 proof and 100% agave. (Note: Prices on this lower-cost brand tend to vary wildly.) And so, without further ado… 3…
Review: 2010 William Hill Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
Two new wines from Napa’s William Hill, bringing the 2010 harvest to the market at last. Thoughts follow. 2010 William Hill Merlot Napa Valley – The nose is ripe and spicy, peppery with cedar, menthol, and herbs. The body, however, is curiously sedate and restrained. It drinks easy, with a somewhat sweet strawberry character at…
Review: Blue Crab Bay Co. Bloody Mary and Margarita Mixes
Blue Crab Bay is an artisan food company on Virginia’s Chesapeake coast, and just a few of its products are non-alcoholic cocktail mixers. We tasted them all, both with and without spirits. Blue Crab Bay Snug Harbor Bloody Mary Mix – Extremely thick. The nose is earthy, like a big beefsteak tomato, with mushroom notes. On…
Review: Laphroaig QA Cask and Cairdeas Port Wood Edition 2013
It’s not every day we get to experience a new Laphroaig expression, and it’s pretty much never when we get to try two of them. At a recent Laphroaig Live event, these two expressions were introduced by Laphroaig Distillery Manager and Friend of Drinkhacker John Campbell. The night started with Quarter Cask, Laphroaig’s fastest growing expression,…
Review: Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Double Malt Selections
Every year around this time our friends at Woodford Reserve release a special, and sometimes experimental, whiskey release. And for 2013, Woodford is taking things to the Old World, bottling two single 100% malted barley whiskeys… made in Kentucky. You’re reading that right: These are the first “fully matured whiskies crafted from malt in Kentucky since…
