Review: Jim Beam Bourbon Signature Craft 12 Years Old & Signature Craft Rare Spanish Brandy Bourbon 2013
Rob Theakston recently had the opportunity to be front and center for the opening of Jim Beam’s Global Innovation Center this sprint, which culminated in the launch of Jim Beam’s first Signature Craft Bourbon. Rob previewed Signature Craft 12 Year Old, and now its formal arrival on the market is nigh. Launching for sale in…
Review: Chardonnays of Francis Ford Coppola, 2011 Vintage
Francis Ford Coppola has become an icon in Northern California’s wine country, but why does a man this important — whose Oscars and Palme d’Or can be seen firsthand at the pool-equipped day resort/tasting room he runs in Sonoma County — need no fewer than five Chardonnays? (In truth there are at least seven.) While…
Recipes: The Great Gatsby’s Great Cocktails
“It’s a great advantage not to drink among hard drinking people.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Ironic words from a writer who battled the demons of alcohol his entire life. Indeed, Fitzgerald would often take to introducing himself at parties as “one of the most notorious drinkers of the younger generation” or even…
Review: Beachwood Brewing Thrillseeker West Coast IPA
Long Beach-based Beachwood Brewing — perhaps best known for its two SoCal BBQ restaurants and their ultra-high-end beer menus — has just released Thrillseeker, its first bottled IPA. The company suggests drinking it young and fresh, and keeping it refrigerated while you’re waiting. The brew offers a big head, and is full gold in color.…
Review: “Art in the Age” Sage Liqueur
Sage is the fourth product from Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, which focuses on creating wholly unique and, sometimes, questionably mixable liqueurs. These liqueurs are often drawn from historical texts and/or are inspired by curious ingredients (like gingersnap cookies). With this product, sage herbs are the focus. Unlike AitA’s three other spirits, sage…
Tasting New Cabernets of Chile, 2013 Releases
Chile is rising as a source of great Cabernet Sauvignon, made all the better by its generally quite affordable pricing. These three Cabs come from the blue chip regions of Chile, and each cuts a very different profile on the palate. Thoughts follow. 2009 Tabali Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Maipo Valley – Black- and blueberry notes…
Review: Caledonia Spirits Barr Hill Vodka and Gin
Caledonia Spirits in Hardwick, Vermont primarily markets its products in the Northeast and uses honey in just about everything it makes, from honey mead to vodka and gin. We tasted both those spirits, plus an elderberry cordial from the company. Thoughts follow. By the by: Mind the beeswax seal on the vodka and gin (they…
Review: Wild Shot Mezcal Silver
A beverage with a name like Wild Shot doesn’t exactly wear subtlety on its sleeve, and this unaged mezcal — complete with, or rather extremely proud of, the worm at the bottom of the bottle — doesn’t really hold back. Country musician Toby Keith is the man behind this celebrezcal, and you can click the…
