Review: Merlet Trois Citrus Triple Sec
Recently we took an exhaustive spin through Merlet’s fruit liqueurs… and then the company released one more. The new Trois Citrus is a triple sec with a twist: It’s made from oranges, blood oranges, and lemon peel — triple the citrus for, perhaps, triple the flavor. This turns out to be quite a good idea.…
Review: Beam’s Eight Star Whiskey
In nearly every family there’s a black sheep or dirty little secret. Such is the case with Beam’s Eight Star. It’s so low shelf, it’s not even on the shelf. In fact, it’s not even listed on the Beam website as a purchasable brand. It’s not bourbon, but rather a blended whiskey and certainly holds…
Review: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask 19 Years Old
Glenfiddich always puts out a special edition malt whisky around this time, and this year’s bottling is a curiosity indeed. Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask (not to be confused with a prior bottling from 2011, Age of Discovery Madeira Cask) is a 19 year old whisky that’s spent its entire life in ex-Bourbon barrels. On…
Review: 901 Reposado and Anejo Tequila
The Justin Timberlake-backed 901 makes an impressive silver tequila, and now the company is (understandably) back with the other two traditional expressions, a reposado and an anejo. Both are triple-distilled from 100% agave and bottled at 80 proof. 901 Reposado Tequila – Lots of agave still shining through on the nose, balanced by pepper and…
Review: Manoir d’Apreval Calvados – Complete Lineup
Don’t call it apple brandy: It’s Calvados, the most exclusive of apple-based spirits and the only fruit brandy with a serious pedigree. Created by a family-owned estate of 25 hectares of apple trees (17 varieties are grown here) in France’s Pays d’Auge, on the banks of the Seine River, this French classic is making its…
Review: 2bar Spirits Vodka and Moonshine
Seattle-based 2bar Spirits is a craft distillery named after a ranch that was part of the owners’ family for generations… before they decided to trade South Texas for Washington and hooves for hooch. The company makes two spirits, both unaged. We got ’em both. Thoughts follow. Both spirits are 80 proof. 2bar Spirits Vodka –…
Review: The Bay Seasoned Vodka
I like a shrimp boil. I grill fish all the time. Crabs? You bet. What do I rely on? Old Bay seasoning. When do I not rely on Old Bay? When I’m drinking vodka. And thus, when faced with Philadelphia Distilling’s “The Bay” Seasoned Vodka — no relation to Old Bay — I found my brain…
Review: Smoke Liqueur
First things first: Smoke does not smell or taste like smoke. Expecting otherwise from this spirit — which is bottled complete with wisps of vapor on the label — will set you up for disaster. In fact, Smoke is about as far away from soke as you could get. Made from “top-shelf” vodka that is…
