Review: Casey Jones Imperial India Pale Ale
A fruity, citrus-infused IPA from Iron Springs Brewery in nearby Fairfax, California. Piney on the nose, it quickly leads into a brisk and bracing bitterness, full of orange peel, peppery spice, and tons of hops. The fruit character balances things out, but the bitterness does not release its hold easily. The finish is long and…
Review: Fernet-Vallet and Amargo-Vallet Amari
Turns out they actually make amari in Mexico. These two bitter liqueurs have their origins in 1860s, when Henri Valley left France for Mexico, staying behind to make booze even after the era of French colonialism faded away. The spirits are still made, in Hidalgo, according to the original, 150-year-old recipe. Thoughts follow. Fernet-Vallet Aperitivo-Liqueur…
Tasting Report: Pinot Days 2013
Another standout Pinot Days this year, still going strong despite some continued economic setbacks and other wine events that seem to be shrinking. Top picks include wines from Bailiwick, Domaine Serene (Oregon), Sequana, Sojourn, and Waits-Mast. Hard though to go wrong with Kosta Browne, pouring here on a rare public showing. Favorite line overheard while…
Review: Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon 2013 Edition – 125th Anniversary
The annual release of Four Roses’ limited edition Small Batch Bourbon is always cause for excitement, but this year’s release is special, bottled in honor of the distillery’s 125th anniversary. The 2013 Small Batch offers a blend of three Bourbons: an 18-year-old OBSV, a 13-year-old OBSK, and a 13-year-old OESK. The two “OB” whiskeys are…
Review: Flora Springs 2012 Sauvignon Blanc and 2010 Trilogy
One of the old guard, reliable names of California wine country, Flora Springs has been putting out quality wine since the ’70s. New vintages of two of its signature bottlings are just now hitting the market. We got to try them. Thoughts follow. 2012 Flora Springs Sauvignon Blanc Oakville Napa Valley Soliloquy Vineyard – Extremely sour…
Review: Sombra Mezcal
Sombra is Oaxaca-area mezcal (from the village of San Juan Del Rio, specifically), made from organic espadin agave grown at 8000 feet. An unaged mezcal, Sombra offers immediate and heavy smoke on the nose, more barbecue than forest fire. There’s a strong undercurrent of sweetness as well — almost a tangy apple, or perhaps applewood…
Review: Captain Morgan Sherry Oak Finish Spiced Rum
Wait a second? Finished rum? Finished, spiced rum? This bizarre and wholly unexpected product from, of all places, Captain Morgan, borrows from the whiskey industry by taking good old Cappy and finishing it in sherry wine casks. There’s not a lot of information about how long it spends in these casks, but the results are…
Review: Qui Platinum Extra Anejo Tequila
Following in the footsteps of Maestro Dobel and Don Julio 70 comes Qui, a clear-as-a-bell tequila that has nonetheless been well-aged in oak barrels. Qui markets itself as the world’s first extra anejo tequila, distinguished from Don Julio (anejo) and Dobel (a blend of various age tequilas). It also distinguishes itself by being pretty darn…
