Review: The Balvenie DoubleWood 12, PortWood 21, Single Barrel 15, and Madeira Cask 17 (2009)
Last night, The Balvenie was kind enough to host a few media types for a dinner and tasting of its four current release Scotch bottlings, including its Madeira Cask 17 Years Old, which just arrived in the U.S. a week ago. Some of these are classic bottlings that have been around for years (seriously —…
Review: Drambuie Liqueur
Some things never change, and in the case of Drambuie, it’s the insides that haven’t been altered at all. But Drambuie has updated its bottle for the first time in years, giving it a much more modern look. Giving the stuff a fresh taste, the Scotch-based liqueur is just as syrupy and sweet as you…
Review: 2007 Otis Kenyon “Matchless” Red Wine
Walla Walla, Washington’s Otis Kenyon offers this new creation, “Matchless,” a 70% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon blend inspired by an ancestor (James Kenyon) who burned a rival’s office to the ground. He was a dentist, of course. This wine — the singed edges on the label are meant to evoke the ancient arson — doesn’t…
Recipe: Appleton Reserve Holiday Sazerac
My friends at Appleton rum sent along this twist on the Sazerac, perfect for the holidays. I added a splash of Navan to imitate the infused rum and used regular sugar in lieu of demerara, but the results were still quite good, if very “rummy.” I’d also suggest a cocktail glass instead of the suggested…
Review: J. Witty Chamomile Liqueur
Proof positive that there’s a liqueur for everything — and I don’t mean that in a bad way — I present to you J. Witty Spirits, which to date makes just one product, an organic, artisanal Chamomile tea liqueur. Chamomile tea hardly has a brutish reputation, but one sip and you’ll find its namesake liqueur…
Review: Antiguo de Herradura Tequila, Complete Lineup
As the story goes, Antiguo de Herradura was a version of Herradura served only to guests of the Herradura estate, beginning in 1924. These bottlings are said to be recreations of those original spirits (they’ve been bottled in Mexico since 1995, when they were re-launched), a higher-end version of Herradura tequila for those special moments…
Tasting Report: Pol Roger Champagne Lineup, 2009 Releases
Had the chance to taste all seven current varieties of Pol Roger Champagne, a brand which dates back to 1849. Old Pol should need no further introduction, of course… here are some thoughts on the house’s current lineup. 2000 Pol Roger Brut Rose Champagne / $115 / A- / yeasty but otherwise quite pleasant 1999…
Review: The Kraken Black Spiced Rum
This is not Captain Morgan, folks. The Kraken, with its sea creature label and black-as-coffee liquid within, makes a striking impression on the bar and in the glass. The idea is kitschy: A drink as strong and dark as kraken (giant squid) ink, powerful enough to take him down. And, yeah, at 94 proof and…
