Review: Three Ribera del Duero Wines, 2011 Releases
These wines hail from the northern, central portion of Spain and are composed exclusively of Tempranillo grapes. Yet, like many varietals and regions, Ribera del Duero comprises a huge range of wine styles — though all are surprisingly light in alcohol (under 14%). Here’s how three vintages of RdD stack up. 2007 Bodegas y Vinedos…
Review: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
Gotta say, Jack Daniel’s knows how to launch a product. The sample bottle of its new honey-and-whiskey liqueur came in a refrigerated box, for no particular reason — it certainly doesn’t need to be kept chilled at all times — except that it is intended to be served cold. Well, it’s been in my fridge…
Review: Four Roses 2011 Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon
Another unique winner of a vintage single barrel bourbon from Four Roses, this rendition of its annual release a 12-year old bourbon from barrel code OBSQ (click here to see what this means), the distillery’s rye-heavy whiskey recipe. The preview sample of the 2011 Single Barrel is hot — 118 proof, though this will change…
Review: Laird’s Rare Apple Brandy 12 Years Old
Aged apple brandy, or applejack, is a rarity, and Laird’s is one of the few U.S. brands that makes the stuff. This 12 year old is a classic example of the product. Intensely woody on the nose, you might think you’re dealing with a whiskey. Apple character comes along quickly when you sip it, though…
Mystery Review: Taiwanese Golden Pure Malt Whisky
Malt whisky isn’t just made in Scotland. It hails now from locales around the world, with Asia turning in some especially credible single malts (see Yamazaki, et al.). And then there are bottles like this, a gift to my parents from travelers returning from Taiwan. I am not sure what to call it since the…
Review: Woodford Reserve Bourbon (2011)
Woodford Reserve is a near-ubiquitous brand on the back bar of virtually any drinking establishment, and if you’re in a bind it’s a solid go-to bourbon when you’re unsure about the rest of the booze on offer. This Kentucky Bourbon is a hot 90.4 proof and benefits greatly from a healthy splash of water, which…
Review: Heaven Hill Trybox Series New Make White Whiskeys
Like it or not (and most of you appear to be firmly in the “not” camp) white whiskey is here for the consuming. The good news: Heaven Hill is doing something useful with white whiskey beyond attempting to make a quick buck. (Since white whiskey is unaged and need not spend years in expensive barrels,…
Identify This Drinking Vessel!
This antique was unearthed on a visit to Texas and dates back to at least the late 1800s. But what is it? What was it used for? About 4 inches tall, it looks like an egg cup for a quail egg or a tiny wine decanter… but neither of these seems to fit. Photo below,…
