Review: Ocean Vodka (2012 Formula)
We first encountered Ocean Vodka, made in Hawaii from organic corn and rye, and cut with deep ocean water to bring it to proof, in 2008. Since then, Ocean has returned, and with a new formulation: Distilled from organic sugar cane instead of corn and rye. (For what it’s worth, Ocean says it is the…
“Vatted” Malts No More
Whisky Advocate reports on the end of an era, terminologically speaking, anyway. In November the term “vatted” was declared illegal in Britain to use on whisky labels. The last legally “vatted” whisky was mixed up last night. Vatted malts are a mixture of malts from different distilleries; they are distinct from blended whisky because they…
Review: Hangar One Spiced Pear and Maine Wild Blueberry Vodkas
Hangar One recently launched two new flavors to its extremely well-regarded infused vodka line (Kaffir Lime is widely thought of — by myself included — as the best flavored vodka on the market), with pears and blueberries their respective inspirations. Both are naturally infused, colorless, and bottled at 80 proof, uncommon for flavored vodkas. Thoughts…
Review: Harviestoun Brewery Ola Dubh Ale Special 18 Reserve
While I defer most of our beer coverage to Greg, this new, limited edition release was too close to my heart to pass up. It’s an ultra-dark ale that is aged in barrels that used to house Highland Park 18 Year Old Scotch whisky — one of my perennial favorite Scotches. Gaelic for “Black Oil,”…
Review: Jim Beam Red Stag Honey Tea and Red Stag Spiced with Cinnamon
Red Stag — black cherry flavored Bourbon whiskey — was a bit pioneering on its own. And while it isn’t the only flavored whiskey we’ve encountered, now try this on: Two new versions of Red Stag (which is still based on a standard, four-year-old Bourbon), one with honey and tea flavors, one with cinnamon. I…
Review: Wines of DiamAndes de Uco, 2010 Vintage
Argentina’s Bodega DiamAndes is a project born of the Pessac-Leognan based Chateau Malartic Lagraviere. The winery is now releasing three new affordable varietals, which we looked at alongside its even less expensive Perlita bottling. 2010 DiamAndes de Uco Viognier Mendoza – Smells legit with peach and apricot notes, but there’s an overwhelming, vegetal bitterness in…
Review: Casa de Reynoso Reposado Tequila
The companion tequila of Rancho Nuevo, Casa de Reynoso has a fun story behind it, as related to me by it’s importer. “After being scorned by a beautiful women, Reynoso’s friend went to see him at this house (casa in Spanish) and took a bottle of tequila to enjoy and forget about what happened. Reynoso was taken by the elixir and…
Review: Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary Makers
As you prepare for New Year’s Eve festivities, forget not the aftermath: Tomorrow morning may hurt, and the solution may very well be found in a nice Bloody Mary. The curiously named Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary Maker, from the great state of Indiana, of course, is the latest ready-to-go Bloody to cross through our doors.…
