Review: Deschutes Brewery Jubelale Winter Ale 2009
I’m the first to admit it’s weird to be drinking this “festive winter ale” during the week of Labor Day. No question. But Deschutes’ Jubelale 2009 arrives October 1, we got it early, and gosh darnit we’re gonna drink it now, even if it is still hot outside. I went in expecting gingerbread and eggnog…
Review: Evan Williams Honey Reserve Liqueur
Watch out American Honey, there’s another bourbon-inspired honey liqueur on the market, and it’s gonna be breathing down your neck but quick. Evan Williams has turned in its own rendition on the honey-flavored liqueur, this one with the promise of “extra-aged bourbon” in the mix. It can’t be much — the color of this liqueur…
Tasting Ciroc’s Red Berry and Coconut Vodkas with Master Distiller Jean-Sebastien Robicquet
Ciroc is one of the big spirits success stories in recent years, and it’s now, according to the company, the #3 ultrapremium vodka brand on the market, after Grey Goose and Belvedere. (Fun fact: The name is made up, a combination of the French words cime (summit) and roche (rock).) This week I had the…
Review: Cupcake 2008 Riesling and 2007 Petite Sirah
Readily available at your typical supermarket, the Cupcake Vineyards label is a solid value for everyday drinking. Some thoughts on two recent varietals follow. 2008 Cupcake Riesling is extremely dry for this varietal, harvested from Washington’s Yakima Valley and fragrant with aromatics. Herbal notes give way to a curious collection of fruit flavors — melon,…
Review: Absolut Boston Vodka
Absolut Boston is the third city-themed vodka from the massive spirits company, but the first of that bunch I’ve had the chance to sample. Some thoughts — before the bottle vanishes altogether. Absolut Boston is flavored with black tea and elderflower, an interesting and overall quite successful combination. Everyone loves elderflower — you can’t turn…
Original Recipe: The Lemonparty Cocktail
Whatever you do, don’t Google “lemonparty.” This drink is not inspired by what you’d find (and likely be horrified by) if you did that. Rather, it’s the name of the group several friends of mine and I have in the video game Rock Band. Of course, the band name is inspired by the aforementioned website,…
Tasting Report: Wines of Howell Mountain 2009
How’s this for a niche event: Only wineries from Howell Mountain, a small part of Napa Valley which comprises about two dozen winemakers. It’s one of the few wine events where I actually got to sample a wine from every producer in attendance. Most Howell Mountain producers focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, but a smattering of…
Review: Auchentoshan Classic, 12 Years Old, and Three Wood
Next to Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain, Auchentoshan is one of my favorite names in the Scotch whisky business. The company (a lowland distillery) also makes some fine whisky to match its name. We recently got a hand on three of its more widely available expressions. Comments on each follow. Auchentoshan Classic is the company’s entry-level whisky,…
