Review: The Balvenie Tun 1401, Batch 6
Balvenie’s Tun 1401 is a series of special releases that have been hitting the market, each batch typically a regional release exclusive to an individual country or two. Batch 3 was the first U.S. exclusive. Now there’s Batch 6, another U.S.-only bottling composed of whisky from seven traditional (ex-Bourbon) casks and two sherry butts. Balvenie…
Review: Pomacai Vodka
Pomegranate and acai have developed strong “superfruit” reputations, which have led to many a boozemaker attempting to use these products to make new spirits. But the fact remains that neither of these taste particularly good, which is why most pomegranate juice drinks are stuffed full of sugar or other, sweeter, juices. Acai, based on the…
Review: 2009 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
This latest vintage of Robert Craig’s mountain-born Cabernet is a bit tight today, with tannin still obscuring the fruit within. I’m not sure there’s going to be a lot of it to go around when it matures in another 3-4 years. Some blueberry, tea leaf, and rhubarb round out the plummy core. But it’s the…
Tasting the Craft Brews of Hangar 24, 2013 Releases
Not to be confused with Hanger One, Hangar 24 is a beermaking operation in Redlands, California, where it creates some 30 different brews. The company sent us 6 of its beers — in various size bottles — to check out. Thoughts follow. Hangar 24 Amarillo Pale Ale– Straightforward American pale ale, hoppy but not overwhelmingly…
Review: Georgetown Trading Co. Pow-Wow Botanical Rye
From Georgetown Trading Company (the importer of the masterful John L. Sullivan Irish Whiskey), comes this extreme oddity — a flavored/infused rye whiskey. Flavored whiskeys are growing in popularity as a category, but they’re mainly Bourbon or Irish, and honey and cinnamon are the predominant flavoring agents. Pow-Wow Botanical Rye is a straight rye whiskey…
Review: WhistlePig “TripleOne” 111 Straight Rye Whiskey 11 Years Old 2012
Since its release two years ago, WhistlePig has garnered a well-deserved reputation for producing one of the best 100% rye whiskeys in the biz — spicy, yet sweet and balanced. Now the company has upped the ante, with a slightly older (11 years instead of 10 years) and slightly hotter (111 proof instead of 100…
Wine Road Trip: Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, 2012
Recently I took my first wine-centric trip to the more southerly wine regions of California, Paso Robles and the Santa Barbara area (popularized by the movie Sideways). As with everything involving Northern and Southern California, things are done a bit differently down here, including the grapes they’re focusing on (Grenache Blanc is a huge up-and-comer…
Review: Wines of Artesa, 2012 Releases
Artesa operates an iconic winery in Carneros (photo at right), one which is well worth a visit if you’re in the area. Recently the winery released its slate of wines for 2012. Three of these, representing the primary varietals of the area, are reviewed below. 2011 Artesa Chardonnay Carneros – A bit over-oaked. Fruit plays…
