Review: Gubna Imperial IPA
This seasonal IPA from Colorado-based Oskar Blues Brewery comes only in cans, the product of three malts and one type of hops. The boldly golden beer is full of citrus aroma and bitter hops are instantly hefty on the tongue. But there’s a curious Eastern spice character to the finish — bitter anise, cumin, and…
Review: The Original Honey Brown Lager
Credited as one of the first beers to use honey in its recipe, The Original Honey Brown launched in 1994 by Dundee Brewing Co. but, after the novelty faded, abruptly vanished from the market (the brewer blames an overly high price and packaging changes). Over a decade later, it’s back, with a big sales push,…
Review: Travis Hasse’s Apple Pie and Cherry Pie Liqueurs
Sweet tooths, rejoice. Someone has indeed taken a pie, liquefied it, added a little alcohol, and bottled it for sale. Behold Travis Hasse’s Apple Pie Liqueur and Cherry Pie Liqueur, both of which are absolutely crazy. Travis Hasse’s Apple Pie Liqueur is a hazy gold color. Flavored with apple and cinnamon and a few other…
Review: Four Roses 2010 Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon
Our third single barrel Four Roses review in as many years (see 2008, 2009 here), Four Roses is commemorating its 100th year of operation with this release. Congrats, but we’re the real winners here. With this heady, 110-proof (est.) bourbon, expect a deeper and more sultry Four Roses than you might be accustomed to. Crafted…
Review: Maker’s 46 Bourbon
When people drink bourbon (and they’re not drinking Jack Daniel’s), they turn to Maker’s Mark in droves. Millions of bottles of Maker’s are sold each year, each with the familiar red wax seal. Now Maker’s is finally realizing that there might be something to the idea of additional expressions of its whiskey, and soon it…
Review: Thatcher’s Liqueurs – Blood Orange, Yumberry, and Coffeehouse
Thatcher’s is making some of the most interesting liqueurs on the market: All organic, each sold with a little charitable sharing of its profits, and all intensely flavored spirits designed for modern cocktails. (Prior reviews are here and here.) The company is adding three new flavors to its lineup in the coming weeks. We got…
Review: 2008 Donelan Syrah Cuvee Christine North Coast
A cuvee of syrah grapes picked from four Sonoma vineyards, Donelan’s Cuvee Christine offers a meaty, Burgundian-stylized wine with intense color and an impressive depth of flavor. It’s young today but it contains plenty of fruit, earthy plum with cinnamon notes. Reasonably easy drinking now, but I’d like to try it again in a few…
Review: 2005 Campo Viejo Reserva Tempranillo
This 2005 Rioja starts out with a tannic backbone that opens up in short order to reveal a surprisingly easy-drinking wine. Aromas of smoke and charcoal on the nose are mere wisps in the glass, with the body becoming superbly jammy, with fresh raspberry and strawberry fruit on the palate. Low alcohol (13.5% per the…
