Review Roundup: 5 White Wines for Summer 2010
Summer is here — officially, now — and that means the white wines will be flowing. Why not take the opportunity to look at five different varietals all primed for warm weather? All of the wines reviewed below are extremely affordable, too. Take a look! 2009 Weingut Meinhard Forstreiter “Grooner” Gruner Veltliner Niederosterreich – That’s…
Review: Early Times 150th Anniversary Edition Kentucky Whisky
“The whisky that made Kentucky whiskies famous” is now 150 years old, and to celebrate, the folks at Early Times are putting out a special edition bottling of their canonical (update: not quite a) bourbon. Don’t get too excited. Early Times is not exactly a top shelf whiskey, and this special edition marks only a…
Review: Oskar Blues Pale Ale, Old Chub, Gordon Ale, and Mama’s Little Yella Pils
Previously we discussed Oskar Blues’ Gubna Imperial IPA brew here, and the company was kind enough to send four more of its more readily available concoctions — all sold in cans and all made in Colorado — for us to try out. Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale cuts a traditional pale ale style, intensely hopped…
Tasting the Wild Turkey Whiskey Lineup with Eddie and Jimmy Russell (2010)
I had the pleasure to be led through Wild Turkey’s six whiskeys, courtesy of an online tasting with Jimmy Russell (of “Russell’s Reserve” fame) and his son Eddie Russell, the two men responsible for distilling Wild Turkey today at Austin Nichols distillery. Both of the new Russell’s Reserve whiskeys have been re-released in new packaging…
Review: Havana Club Anejo Rum 7 Years Old
Smoother and more balanced than the Anejo Reserva bottling of Havana Club, this version of the Club carries a seven-year age statement, and the difference shows. This is a perfect example of Cuban style rum (fitting since it’s actually from Cuba): There’s a huge amount of rich caramel character on the nose, with a light…
Review: Argentina Malbecs – Kaiken and Bodega Tamari, 2010 Releases
Two Argentine Malbecs go head to head today, showing just how variable this grape and this region can be. 2008 Bodega Tamari Mendoza Malbec Reserva is a burly, smoky beast, a brute that’s a real powerhouse of a wine. Despite a ripe cherry core, the wine tastes a little oxidized, strange considering its youth. Overall…
Review: The Dalmore 18 Years Old (2010) and Isle of Jura Prophecy
These two whiskys from Dalmore (Isle of Jura is part of its empire) were both launched late last year, but they weren’t available when Richard Paterson recently came to town to show off the Dalmore line. Recently he sent along samples of both for our review. Comments follow. The Dalmore 18 Years Old (2010) –…
Review: 2007 The Federalist Zinfandel
I can’t speak to the wisdom of naming your wine after Alexander Hamilton — and putting a picture of him on the label — but this Dry Creek Valley Zin is certainly worth a try. With a medium body and big fruit flavors of currant jam, the wine offers a touch of pepper and cola…
