Review: Dewar’s The Champions Edition 19 Years Old (2024)
The fourth iteration of the golf-themed Dewar’s 19 Year Old “Champions Edition” is another spin on the iconic blended Scotch, again turning to an unusual cask type. Similar to the 2022 expression, Dewar’s is again using rye whiskey casks for its secondary maturation — although in 2022 rye was just one of three types of…
Review: 2021 Three Sticks Pinot Noirs – Gap’s Crown and One Sky Vineyards
Two new releases from Sonoma-based Three Sticks, both pinot noirs from the 2021 vintage — and both very different. Some thoughts: 2021 Three Sticks Pinot Noir Gap’s Pinnacle Gap’s Crown Vineyard – This is an awfully dense pinot for a relatively cool climate area, heavy with cherry and cranberry notes — both dried and well-spiced.…
The 13 Best Whiskeys We Tasted at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2024
Every September, thousands flock to Bardstown, Kentucky for a three-day exploration of their favorite hobby: Drinking bourbon. And so they did again in 2024 at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. With some 200 whiskeys available for tasting, you can’t possible sample everything on offer. That doesn’t stop folks from trying, and since the festival runs for…
Review: Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 18 Years Old
Bruichladdich’s Port Charlotte brand hits a milestone with this latest release — at 18 years old it’s the oldest expression of Port Charlotte I’ve encountered to date. 74% of the stock is aged in refill sherry casks, the other 26% in refill French oak wine casks (with additional detail unspecified). Let’s give it a whirl.…
Review: Phyllis & Her Walk in the Woods Double Oaked Rye
Listen. I’ve seen weird product names in the booze business in the past. Phyllis & Her Walk in the Woods however may set a new high water mark. The thing of it is, Phyllis also hails from an unusual place in the world of whiskeydom: Vermont. Here’s the deets: Phyllis is the first whiskey from…
A Vertical Tasting of Mayacamas with Winemaker Braiden Albrecht
Mayacamas is a legendary, blue chip Napa winery perched high on Mt. Veeder — above the fog line, in fact. While the winery is well known for its cabernet and chardonnay releases, it also operates a unique library system that consumers have full access to. Each year, winemaker Braiden Albrecht — who’s been with the…
Review: Jura American Rye Cask 14 Years Old
Smell that whisky: Sherry, amirite? As a matter of fact, no: This exciting new release from Jura is a 14 year old that is aged in a combination of American bourbon and rye whiskey casks — the latter being a twist that is a rarity in Scotland. The nose immediately threw me for a loop:…
Review: Redemption Sur Lee Rye
In the realm of non-distilling producers, Redemption has built its reputation on taking MGP juice and bottling it into accessibly priced basics, a variety of cask finishes, and ultra-rare halo releases (including an oft-heralded 18 year rye). Around 2022, Redemption began promoting a new addition to its core lineup: Redemption Sur Lee Straight Rye Whiskey.…
