Review: Los Artesanos del Cochiguaz Pisco Especial
Here’s an oddball review: A bottle of pisco brought back from Chile (which disputes with Peru who originated this Latin spin on unaged brandy) called Los Artesanos del Cochiguaz. Los Artesanos del Cochiguaz’s Pisco is available in a variety of proof levels (not to mention a variety of other spirits). This one is bottled at…
Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Early August 2012 Outturn
I’ve had immense respect for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for years and have greatly enjoyed their Whisky Extravaganza tastings as well. If you’re not familiar with the SMWS, here’s how it works: The company, founded in 1983, is an independent Scotch bottler (like Duncan Taylor or Gordon & MacPhail) that works with a slightly…
Recipe: Wild Turkey Whiskey Sour 101
National Whiskey Sour Day (no, really!) is today, and in honor of the occasion, Wild Turkey offers this concoction, a high-test spin on the classic drink. Wild Turkey Whiskey Sour 101 (or The Sergeant Whiskey Sowers) 1 1/2 ounces Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon 1/2 ounce fresh squeezed grapefruit juice 1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice…
Review: Douglas of Drumlanrig Benrinnes 12 Years Old
Douglas of Drumlanrig is part of the Douglas Laing company, a huge private bottler that has myriad whiskies. I’ve tasted a few of them only at the Single Malt Whisky Extravaganza event, but recently one bottling actually made it to Drinkhacker HQ for review. Douglas of Drumlanrig bottles this Benrinnes whisky at 12 years old.…
Fall Tequila Cocktails 2012
Cocktail recipes for fall courtesy Hornitos and Sauza. This first one had me at the chocolate bitters. El Catrin Created by Steven Calabro, Head Mixologist, Red O, BartendingBootcamp.com, Los Angeles, CA 2 parts Hornitos Anejo Tequila 2 dashes Mexican Chocolate Bitters 1 part Sweet Vermouth 1/4 part fresh orange Stirred and served up in Martini…
Review: Corsair Triple Smoke (2012)
Once in a while, American whiskeymakers do the smoke thing: Corsair (which operates distilleries in both Kentucky and Tennessee) is a small distillery that makes a variety of products. Triple Smoke is created by taking “three fractions of malted barley, each smoked by a different fuel – cherry wood, peat, and beechwood” which is then…
The Angel’s Share, Illustrated
Last year I filled a 1.5-liter micro-barrel with Woodinville’s white whiskey, all part of its “age your own” whiskey kit. I’ve sampled it every couple of months but largely it’s been left untouched since July 2011. Today I bottled what was left. The photo below illustrates what two full bottles of white dog turned into…
Review: Kilchoman Sherry Cask Release
I’ve been thinking Kilchoman’s young malt whisky releases would benefit from longer sherry finishes for years — and with Sherry Cask Release (yes, “Release” is part of the name), the Scottish (Scots?) distillery finally puts me in my place. The whisky in this release has been fully matured in Oloroso sherry butts for 5 full…
