Review: Yao Ming Family Wines, 2009 Vintage
It’s not every day we get to try a $625 wine made by a former pro basketball player. OK, it’s never when that happens. Chinese phenomenon Yao Ming recently got the celebrity winemaker bug and launched his own wine label, but with a twist: His primary market is his homeland of China, and the U.S.…
Review: Yahara Bay V Bourbon Whiskey
Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, this craft whiskey is a three-year-old Bourbon that is matured in small batches and small barrels. The mashbill (and other details) are not revealed by Yahara Bay Distillers, but the results speak for themselves. The whiskey is surprisingly dark, and the nose is heavy with wood, but otherwise typical of Bourbon.…
Experiment: Ice vs. Whiskey Stones vs. Tilt Chilling Sphere
The drinking industry’s war on ice is in full force. Fearful that ice will water down their precious booze, entrepreneurs are suggesting alternative chilling systems to bring the temperature of their hooch down. But do they work? Ice is effective at chilling a drink because it melts, releasing near-frozen water into your dram. Can alternative…
Review: New Albion Ale (2013 Reissue)
We didn’t always have Dogfish Head and Deschutes. Back in the day, you really only had the major beermakers to choose from. Founded in 1976 in Sonoma, California, New Albion Ale was a real anomaly of the era. The company made just a few barrels of beer ever day, using small, craft techniques instead of…
Review: Wines of Armagnac’s Domaine de Tariquet, 2013 Releases
Domaine de Tariquet, located in France’s Gascony, is best known for its Armanagacs. But did you know the producer also makes wine? And affordable ones at that. The wines from this unusual region use traditional grape varietals to create unique expressions. Thoughts follow. 2010 Domaine de Tariquet Cote – A 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and…
Review: Brewery Vivant Brewer’s Reserve Big Red Coq
It takes confidence to step up to the bar and order a delicious Big Red Coq, a surprisingly hoppy red ale. That’s right, a hoppy red ale. Brewery Vivant’s Brewer’s Reserve Limited Release series is always something to pick up if you see it. A hoppy Belgo-American red ale, Big Red Coq is one of…
Review: Walt Wines, 2010 Vintage
Walt is a new name for an older winery. Formerly known as Roessler, the winery was sold to another family in 2010, but just about everything has remained the same except the labels. The focus remains on Pinot Noir, with lots of single vineyard releases, produced everywhere from SoCal to Oregon. We dropped into the…
Recipe: Irish Whiskey Coffee — Tullamore D.E.W. Variation
In our never ending quest to document and celebrate all of the spirits-based holidays on the calendar, today is Irish Coffee Day. Most of you are already at your desks settled in for this morning’s business with a non-Irish cup, but here’s a recipe to consider for later tonight, courtesy of Tullamore D.E.W.: Tullamore D.E.W.…
