Review: Founders Brewing CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout)
Nothing quite signifies the change of seasons so strikingly as the tendency for breweries to release thicker and heavier beers in the colder months. It therefore seems fitting that Michigan-based Founders chose this time to release its Canadian Breakfast Stout, or CBS as it is affectionately abbreviated on the bottle. Formerly a draft-only offering, this…
Review: Firefly Mint Tea Vodka
“Messing with a classic” is always a danger, and Firefly‘s mint-flavored version of its classic Sweet Tea Vodka is indeed a bit of a distraction from what makes this vodka stand out. The tea character is certainly there, as is a healthy slug of mint. But while that tea remains authentic and smooth, the mint…
Thanksgiving Cocktails from Skyy Spirits
This Thursday you can stuff your face the old-fashioned way, or you can go boozy. These five concoctions come from our friends at Skyy Spirits — I’m not sure if you want to try for all five this Thursday, but a couple of alcoholic twists on the Thanksgiving feast aren’t going to kill anyone… Cocktail…
Tasting Report: Wines of Mendocino, November 2011
The weather’s been surprisingly delightful in Mendocino this fall, and a recent excursion to the coast brought not fog and drizzle but sunshine, warmth, and sea breezes. We took the opportunity to visit a number of wineries along the Mendo wine trail, finding some new Anderson Valley favorites in Phillips Hill’s lush Pinot Noirs, squirreled…
Review: Smirnoff Whipped Cream and Fluffed Marshmallow Vodkas
OK, we’re fully into goofball territory now. Smirnoff’s latest flavors are full-on panty peeler, no bones about it, loaded with sugar, certainly full of artificial flavors, and dialed back to 60 proof so you can’t taste the alcohol. At all. Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka – Sure, I’ll buy that. It’s more caramelized sugar than whipped…
Review: Bruichladdich Classic Laddie, Organic, Port Charlotte An Turas Mor, and Octomore 3
Islay’s Bruichladdich — “the progressive Hebridean distillers” — is in the midst of an upheaval. Long known for releasing dozens of whiskys each year, the distillery has suffered from a bit of an identity crisis. Some Bruichladdich whiskys could be light and filled with fruit. Some are overwhelming peat bombs. Where is the distillery’s soul?…
“Chasing Pappy” Seeks Whiskey, Funding
Pappy Van Winkle is one of the most legendary brands in Bourbon today… so why not make a movie about the whiskey’s fans, who often have to hunt high and low to find the Bourbon they love so much? That’s what Mark Casey is up to, and he’s trying to raise $3,000 to get his…
Review: 2011 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
I don’t know where the rule is written that Beaujolais Nouveau labels have to be more garish each year, but Duboeuf is doing its best to follow that rule to the letter. 2011’s labels aren’t quite horrific, but they’re getting there. The good news, of course, is that they’ll be gone by the time New…
