Review: Limited Edition Beers of Magic Hat, 2012 Releases
Magic Hat is a new brewery to me, and the ungodly number of beer varieties it produces is challenging to get one’s head around. Packaged individually and in a number of variety packs, here’s a look at three of the newer offerings — all limited releases — from this South Burlington, Vermont operation. You can…
Review: El Buho Mezcal (2012)
Made in Oaxaca, this mezcal is made from espadin agave plants and roasted with mesquite for a full week in a fire pit before being crushed (by a burro!) and pressed for the juice. The fermented mash is twice distilled in an alembic pot still before bottling, unaged. The smoky nose reveals little about what’s…
Recipe: Gangnam Style Pony-rita
If Avion hadn’t come up with this recipe, I would’ve had to. Gangnam Style Pony-rita Inspired by the bright, sassy suits and dance moves 2 ½ parts Tequila Avión Silver ½ part fresh lime juice Sugar for rim Lime slice garnish Fill blender with ice and wet ingredients. Blend until frozen. Rub the rim of…
Review: Square One Vodka
Oddly enough, we’ve reviewed all of Square One’s flavored vodkas but never its straight, unflavored spirit, until now. Made in Idaho from 100% organic rye grown in North Dakota, this vodka has none of the funky rawness you might expect from a rye-based spirit, but is rather quite neutral and lightly sweet at first sip.…
Review: Shellback Silver Rum and Spiced Rum
This new rum brand — named after a term used to describe a savvy sailor — is produced in Barbados, with its eyes set on the premium segment of the market. Both of these initial expressions are 80 proof. Shellback Silver Rum – Aged 12 months in Bourbon barrels and filtered to white. Huge vanilla…
Cocktails for National Vodka Day
Who knew that America would be interested in celebrating the national spirit of our former mortal enemy? Eh, times have changed. Enjoy these two libations, courtesy of Effen. Effen Couture 1 1/2 parts Effen Vodka 1/2 part Triple Sec 3/4 part Lime Juice 1/2 part Simple Syrup 3/4 part Pomegranate Purée 3/4 part Passion Fruit…
Review: The Wines of AC/DC
For those about to drink, we salute you. AC/DC may be best known for its crowd-pleasing heavy metal riffs, but the aging rockers now have another claim to fame: Their own wine brand. Big in their Australian homeland, these wines are now coming to the U.S. Bottles are branded with an on-stage photo of the…
Review: Blue Ice “G” Vodka
Blue Ice continues to expand its line of vodkas, and for once a company is pushing not into an endless panoply of flavors. For its third unflavored vodka, Blue Ice G, the company is taking the affordable route with a vodka made from a blend of mixed grains. And what a surprise it is: This…
