Exploring the World of Madeira with Blandy’s 5 Years Old Lineup
Like you, I don’t often think much about Madeira. If I want a dessert wine, I drink Port almost exclusively. When I see Madeira on a menu I invariably ignore it. But maybe I shouldn’t be. And maybe you shouldn’t be either. Madeira is one of the most venerable wine styles from history which is…
Review: Jagermeister Spice and Jagermeister “Classic”
Few spirits are as misunderstood and mis-consumed as Jagermeister. A classic of every dive bar (and upscale ones always have a bottle behind the bar, too), this “Krauter-Liqueur,” essentially Germany’s answer to Italy’s amaro, is a digestive, bittersweet liqueur with lots to recommend. And yet it is served primarily in shot form, and frequently ice cold…
2013 Pumpkin Ale Roundup – Hermitage, Dogfish Head, and Hangar 24
Ah, Halloween approaches, and that means pumpkin-based beers are hitting the shelves en masse. We’ve had a fridge-load show up at Drinkhacker HQ in recent weeks, which can mean only one thing: Roundup Time! Here are some thoughts on three new, and wildly different, pumpkin brews. Hermitage Brewing Company Fruit Crate Pumpkin Ale – A…
Review: Cabin Still Bourbon
After my initial voyages to the bottom of the shelf with JW Dant and Kentucky Gentleman, I reasoned my exploratory adventure should further continue with another value bourbon. Cabin Still was originally part of a line at the now legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery, along with W.L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, and Rebel Yell. The brand name was…
Review: Deschutes Brewery Hop Trip (2013) and Chasin’ Freshies IPA (2013)
Deschutes Brewery’s new limited releases are out, both part of its anticipated Bond Street Series of brews. They’re both made with fresh hops, freshly picked then turned into beer pretty much immediately. As such, it’s important to drink these brews right away. Having them sit around in a pantry for months will do them a…
Review: 2011 Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Initially quite mild for a Napa Cab, the nose comes across as almost watery, but with time in glass a fun peppery, blackberry-driven spiciness comes to the forefront. On the palate things liven up a bit further, offering restrained fruit — blackberry and blueberry — with undertones of black pepper and sweet vanilla cream. The…
Recipe: 2013 Halloween Cocktails
Halloween falls on a Thursday this year, meaning parties will be gearing up all over the place this weekend. We’ve had many, many recipe suggestions this year (and thank you for all of them). Here’s a sampling of some of the best we’ve tried over the past few weeks while getting into the spirit of…
Review: Citadelle Gin (2013) and Citadelle Reserve Gin 2012 Vintage
It has been many years since we last checked in with Citadelle, a French gin that comes in two varieties, a standard rack bottling and a vintage “Reserve” version that’s aged in Cognac casks for six months, giving it a pretty yellow hue. I won’t delve too deeply into the botanicals and production process behind…
