Review: Dewar’s Founders Reserve 18 Years Old and Signature
Here’s a look at two new releases from one of the Scotch world’s biggest blenders. Dewar’s Founders Reserve 18 Years Old – Just about the top of the line of the Dewar’s blended whisky stable, the brand new Dewar’s Founders Reserve 18 Years Old is a blend of some refinement. Gentle and easygoing, this medium…
Drinkhacker 2009 Vintage Chart / Wine Cheat Sheet
Our third annual “cheat sheet” arrives today, with the goal of giving a very basic shorthand into what’s a “good year” and what’s otherwise in the world of wine. As with last year’s edition, here’s how to use the cheat sheet: Only the last two digits of a year are included to save space, and…
Recipe: Rio’s Celebratory Caipirinha
By now everyone knows that Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympics (sorry, Chi-town), and should you find yourself wishing to toast the city’s victory (any excuse for a cocktail…), you’ll likely pour yourself a caipirinha, the semi-official cocktail of all of Brazil. If that’s too staid, Leblon offers this spin on the drink.…
Review: 2004 Coto de Imaz Rioja Reserva
Don’t let the price fool you: Coto de Imaz’s 2004 Reserva Rioja is a surprisingly drinkable, mature, and enchanting wine. Inexpensive Spanish wine is not normally something I’d recommend, Coto de Imaz is impressive for something at this price. Dark burgundy in color, this 2004 Rioja — which spent 18 months in oak and 24…
Review: Wines of Eric Kent, 2009 Releases
Massive apologies to my friend Renee Humphrey for being so terribly slow at getting this tasting report online from our visit over a week ago. Renee (who refused to be photographed) led me through two of the winery’s upcoming 2007 vintage releases and an already-out 2006. Eric Kent specializes in pinot noir, syrah, and chardonnay;…
Review: Bache-Gabrielsen Hors d’Age Cognac
The top shelf bottling of the Bache-Gabrielsen lineup, here’s a cognac that’s worth its fancy bottle, its wire-sealed lid, and its wooden box. This pure Grande Champagne cognac includes spirits that date back to 1917 — the youngest was distilled in 1960. That’s 49 years old at least, and it’s obvious once you pour the…
Review: CurrantC Black Currant Nectar
I can’t speak to the claim that “black currants have twice the antioxidants of blueberries,” but as mixers go, CurrantC actually works well for those looking to up the health quotient of their intake, alcoholic or not. CurrantC is, as the name suggests, nectar of black currants, 43% juice and the rest water and agave…
How It’s Made: Johnnie Walker Black Label
Ever wonder how blended Scotch whisky is made? Well tomorrow I get the opportunity to find out firsthand by blending my own. Johnnie Walker sent this awesome kit (see right, click for large version) full of single malt and grain whiskeys, and during an hour-long session we’ll be blending our own Black Label under the…
