Review: Ty Ku Asian Citrus Liqueur
Surely you’ve seen Ty Ku on the shelf. The pale green liqueur in the obelisk of a bottle (some versions even light up when poured) stands out on any back bar. But… what is it? Reportedly the end result of a student project at Columbia Business School, Ty Ku isn’t a Japanese spirit with an…
Sipping Wine with Hall’s Steve Leveque, 2009 Releases
Hall isn’t a new winery, but you wouldn’t know it considering its recent pushes, making it more visible than ever. This week I sat down with Hall’s winemaker, Steve Leveque, to discuss what’s new at the winery, and to taste a few bottles of the good stuff. The big news of late is Halls’ Gold…
Review: Pinky Botanical Vodka
Is everything coming up pink these days? Pink tequilas are rampant, and now there’s pink vodka called, understandably enough, Pinky Botanical Vodka. Pinky begins with winter wheat, and it’s distilled five times into the base spirit (presumably at this point it’s the same thing as Sweden’s Svensk Vodka, which is the producer of Pinky). Pinky…
What Wineries to Visit in Sonoma County
Yesterday I offered some of my favorite Napa-area wineries to visit during wine country vacations. Today I turn my attention to nearby Sonoma. Sonoma is a trickier area to visit because it is much larger and is split in two by a huge freeway. Touring this area takes longer than Napa, so keep that in…
What Wineries to Visit in Napa County
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised: Readers and friends regularly ask when traveling to California’s wine country, what wineries should I make a point to visit? Not a bad question. There are lots of dull wineries not worth your time — or your (sometimes expensive) tasting fees. There are also many hidden gems worth seeking…
Review: Mejor Tequila – Blanco, Reposado, and Pink
This new 100% agave tequila brand (the master distiller is formerly of Don Julio) arrives in four expressions — the usual three plus one you might not expect: blanco, reposado, anejo (we didn’t sample this one), and “pink.” What’s pink tequila? We’ll get to that. But first, let’s start with the basics. All are 80…
Review: Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka
Firefly, you’re on notice: There’s another sweet tea vodka in town, and it’s just as good as you are. Jeremiah Weed may not as be as froufrou-friendly — its label design is all western-like and it, well, has “weed” in the name — but damn if it isn’t just as good. Honestly, I have long…
Review: Burnett’s Cocktails – Cosmo, Margarita, and Mojito
More pre-mixed, ready-to-pour cocktail offerings, this time from Burnett’s which turns out some 20 vodkas and gins in every flavor imaginable. With these three concoctions, Burnett’s turns its vodkas into three simple bar standbys. All are 30 proof and come in big, plastic 1.75-liter jugs. They are intended to be served on the rocks, but…
