Review: 2012 Justin Rose
Our friends at Justin have taken a big step into a new world of wine that’s completely foreign to them: Rose. This rose of Cabernet Sauvignon is made from Paso Robles fruit, and the beefy backbone shows. A heavy shade of peach, the wine features a moderately floral nose followed by a palate that features…
Review: Starr Hill Grateful Pale Ale and Little Red Roostarr (2013)
Two new and seasonal brews from our friends at Starr Hill Starr Hill Grateful Pale Ale – Straightforward, delicious, and crisp with modest citrus character — and not overly bitter (just 26 IBUs). This classic pale ale offers a bounty of hops, backed with just a touch of smoky wood chip character. Nothing earth-shattering, but…
Review: Jefferson’s Bourbon and Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon (2013)
Today we’re filling a glaring hole in our coverage. While we reviewed one special edition of Jefferson’s Bourbon (which is no longer available, actually) four years ago, we’ve been silent on the line’s other expressions. Today we start correcting that, with reviews of Jefferson’s entry-level Bourbon and Jefferson’s Reserve, the two most commonly available expressions…
Review: Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon
Jim Beam’s been on a tear lately. First came the two members of the new Signature Craft Bourbon series, now there’s Distiller’s Masterpiece, an ultra-premium Bourbon that truly earns its name. Available exclusively at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Ky., the whiskey is “extra aged” (but released with no age statement) “in the…
Review: Chivas Regal 18 Years Old
You don’t have to drop $100,000 on an enormous seven-foot sculpture to get a bottle of Chivas 18: You can buy it, sans artwork, straight up. Chivas, a bit of a grande dame in the whisky world, is far from the shoddy, workday blend common with lesser blends. Particularly at older ages — including this…
Review: Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon (2013)
It’s surprising that more aged spirits aren’t made in the solera style. For the uninitiated, solera aging involves moving spirits from younger barrels to older barrels, bit by bit, until the liquor in the oldest barrel is bottled — the oldest of the old blended with a bit of spirit from a wide variety of…
Review: Skyy Infusions Natural Wild Strawberry Vodka
Wild strawberries, really? Flavor #11 from Skyy is indeed made with real, wild strawberries, according to the company, a flavored vodka inspired by one of the most popular cocktail flavorings around. (Skyy says the strawberry is “more complex” than you’d think.) That may indeed be the case. Skyy Strawberry has a solid fruity nose, and…
Review: Middle West Spirits OYO Vodka and OYO Whiskey
Columbus, Ohio-based Middle West Spirits produces a variety of vodkas and whiskeys, but these two, pronounced Oh-Why-Oh, are the base products from which everything else is drawn. Thoughts follow. OYO Vodka – Made from local red winter wheat, this (purported) 34-times column distilled vodka has lots of character. On the nose, there are lots of…
