How a Blind Tequila Tasting Rocked My World
Recently I learned something that completely upended my worldview: It turns out I like Patron Tequila. OK, this in itself is not a shocker. Patron is the top-selling tequila brand outside of Cuervo, so a lot of people obviously like it. But I just reviewed Patron a few months ago and gave it a B,…
Review: Three Soave Wines, 2011 Releases
Drinkhacker’s been flooded with Soave of late, and we aren’t complaining: This crisp Italian white is making a huge comeback and is worthy of attention, particularly since it is so affordable. These three wines show what a wide range of styles Soave can exhibit. 2009 Rocca Sveva Soave Classico (pictured)- Crisp and very acidic, almost…
Review: Jim Beam “Devil’s Cut” Bourbon
In whiskeymaking, you lose a large amount of spirit to evaporation as it sits in barrels for years. This is an accepted part of the process, and the spirit that vanishes into the air is known, poetically, as “the angel’s share.” With tongue firmly in cheek, Jim Beam is (soon) releasing this new whiskey: Devil’s…
Review: Banks 5 Island Rum
Last year a survey named Banks 5 Island Rum as the best rum for that quintessential rum drink: The Daiquiri. Only problem: Who’s ever heard of Banks 5 Island? Well finally, we have. It’s not called 5 Island for kicks: Banks 5 Island really is a blend of aged rums from five Caribbean islands: Jamaica,…
Review: Wines of Hannah Nicole, 2011 Releases
Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area includes Oakland… as well as, apparently, a good number of vineyards. Hannah Nicole, in “the shadows of Mount Diablo,” is a relative newcomer to the business. We tasted four of the winery’s recent releases. 2009 Hannah Nicole Sauvignon Blanc Reserve Contra Costa County – 12.5% Viognier…
Review: 2009 Galil Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Why aren’t you drinking Israeli wine? Perhaps because you didn’t know it existed, no? Galil Mountain is one of the country’s most exported labels. That may not be saying a whole lot, but it does at least give you a chance to try these unique and interesting reds. 2009 Galil Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Galilee is…
Review: Collingwood Canadian Whisky
Never mind what’s inside Collingwood: You don’t get very far without admiring the bottle. I know I’m a sucker for a nice decanter, but this thing is ridiculous, like an overgrown Chanel bottle or a glass, whisky-filled Zippo. But on to the spirit within: This whisky is, to be blunt, unlike any I’ve ever tasted.…
Book Review: Whiskey & Philosophy
It is try that whiskey has a tendency to make philosophers out of all of us, but I didn’t know that would lead anyone to actually write a book on the topic. Truth be told, Whiskey & Philosophy is not really a study of drinking dogma but an anthology (written by 20 different authors or…
