Review: Russell’s Reserve Bourbon 13 Years Old (2023)
It’s back! In 2021, Wild Turkey dropped an amazing 13 year old limited edition expression of Russell’s Reserve at cask strength. Now this unique expression is returning — at the exact same abv, oddly — again for a limited time. There’s really nothing new to report when it comes to barrel picking and production; if…
Review: Chrome Horse Society Blanco Tequila
Chrome Horse Society is a new brand, founded by Jack Morgan, entrepreneur and equestrian (hence the name). Their tequila is produced at Distileria Leyros from 100% Blue Weber agave using no additives. So far, they have released only a blanco tequila. Chrome Horse Society is dedicated to environmental responsibility: Their agave is grown in private…
Review: Buzzard’s Roost Founder’s Select Barrel Strength Bourbon 7 Years Old
The latest Buzzard’s Roost release is a true rarity, a seven year old bourbon made from just 2 barrels of whiskey, born of a mash of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley and featuring a secondary maturation in 18-month-seasoned Level 1 charred barrels before being bottled at cask strength. Just 260 bottles were…
Tasting the Wines of the Rhone Valley, 2023
With 31 appellations, 34 grape varieties planted, and 1592 independent wineries, France’s Rhone Valley is a complex and varied region that can challenge even the most seasoned of wine enthusiasts. Stretching 150 miles along the Lyon river, the terrain goes from rocky and mountainous to coastal as it abuts the Mediterranean Sea, the weather changing…
Review: Camikara Rum 12 Years Old
While India has a long history of rum-making, Camikara is India’s first cane juice rum made with the sugarcane grown in the country. (Much Indian rum is made from molasses or jaggery, which is a hybrid of cane sugar and other sweeteners.) The name Camikara means “liquid gold” and derives from Sanskrit. After distillation, the…
Review: 2021 Textbook Cabernet Sauvignons – Napa Valley and Paso Robles
When people say something’s a “textbook” example, we know exactly what they’re talking about — especially in the wine world. It’s a genius name for a wine brand, with Jonathan Pey and Abi Horstman blending California fruit with European-inspired winemaking to produce “textbook” examples of the most popular California varietals — with a particular focus…
Review: Isle of Raasay Single Malt
Isle of Raasay released its namesake whisky back in 2021, but it took a bit longer for this Hebridean single malt, distilled on a tiny island north of Skye, to wash up on our shores. We chewed over a stopgap bottling of sourced single malt from the distillery, cutely dubbed While We Wait, a few…
Book Review: Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book 2024
Unless you, gentle reader, are wearing workman’s overalls or carrying a bag or purse, fitting Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book anywhere on your person is a mildly amusing notion. Now in its 47th year of publication, this guide is incredibly comprehensive, checking in at over 300 pages. It is dense and immense with information on…
