Review: 2006 Kaesler Grenache “The Fave” Barossa Valley
One sip and this Aussie Grenache will just about knock you down. At 16 percent alcohol, it’s a bruiser amongst bruisers and a wine that isn’t likely to win any awards in a nuance contest. That said, it’s really full of flavor: Jammy, as you’d expect, but surprisingly lush with rich plum and cherry fruit,…
Review: Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bourbon 10 Years Old (2011)
Henry McKenna is a value-priced Bourbon from Heaven Hill with serious street cred: Single barrel and bottled in bond (100 proof), it’s aged 10 years and sold to retailers, who pick out their own barrels and sell them direct. This is common with many distilleries, but not at these prices. This McKenna is the 9th…
Review: Wines of Haras, 2011 Releases
Haras de Pirque, or just “Haras,” hails from Chile’s Maipo Valley, where it produces a series of very affordable wines, inspired by the winery’s love of horses. Tasted twice. The first round of wines were clearly damaged by heat in shipping. 2010 Haras Sauvignon Blanc Maipo Valley – Tropical nose, with a touch of lemon…
Review: Hiram Walker Caramel Apple Liqueur
Oddball combo spirits week continues here at Drinkhacker with what sounds like a natural one: Caramel Apple Liqueur. Hey, if nothing else you can at least be absolutely certain that this is one spirit that contains caramel color. A light and minimalist liqueur, this is a relatively mild concoction that is more reminiscent of the…
Review: Stolichnaya Stoli Chocolat Razberi Vodka
What do you do when you run out of flavors for your vodka? Start making combinations. Stolichnaya, which makes a Razberi vodka now but not a Chocolat, combines the two flavors, long considered natural buddies in the dessert world, into a single mega-vodka. Stoli’s intentions here aren’t tough to fathom: The gooey, chocolate-dripping raspberry on…
Review: Cruzan Coconut Rum
Coconut continues to be a vital flavoring agent in all manner of spirits (we’ve got coconut vodka coming later in the week for you), and our friends at St. Croix’s Cruzan sent us their rendition of the classic coconut rum. They even put their money where their mouths are: Sending a mini of Bacardi Rock…
Review: Redemption Rye and High-Rye Bourbon (2011)
Distilled in Indiana and bottled in Bardstown, Kentucky, Redemption is part of a growing cadre of craft distillers who go guerrilla on getting their stuff produced (a la Angel’s Envy), releasing amazingly high-quality product at very affordable prices. At Redemption, the focus is obviously on increasingly popular rye. Redemption Rye Batch 027 (2011) – 95% rye,…
Tasting Report: Family Winemakers of California 2011
Family Winemakers of California, while not quite as daunting as I’ve seen it in prior years, remains a monstrous wine exhibition: It’s been called the largest show of its kind in the country — and with 300 wineries pouring this year, if that’s not still true today, it’s awfully close. I did my research in…
