Tasting Report: 2007 Vintage Port
For the first time since 2003, Portugal has declared a vintage Port year: 2007, which was characterized by relatively cool weather, followed by some heat near harvest time, just enough (they say) to ripen the grapes. I had the chance to sample the 2007 vintage from 12 different producers this week (total production of all…
Review: Aberlour 100
Available only in duty-free shops (if that any more), this, like the aforereviewed Glenfarclas 105 is “100” only in the old 175-proof-is-max scale: By modern standards it’s 114.2 proof, so take appropriate precautions should you find yourself face to face with a bottle. It’s certainly worth the hunt. This surprisingly dark whisky packs lots of…
Review: NV pro-mis-Q-ous Pinot Grigio and Red Wine
This new value label is hitting the market, hoping to entice consumers with good wine at very affordable prices. We tried two of the three bottles being sold. Here’s how they stack up. All three are non-vintage bottlings and source fruit from all over California. Expect to pay $11 to $13 for a bottle. NV…
This Can Only End Badly…
Virgin America will be offering Le Tourment Vert absinthe for sale and consumption at 30,000 feet, starting in May. Via Boing Boing: Incidentally, Virgin America (which today started service to/from Orange County) is also expanding the number of craft in its fleet that offer in-flight WiFi. Absinthe + internet + idle time? Can’t wait to…
Review: Blue Angel Vodka
This new California vodka is distilled from (unspecified) American grains and distilled four times, and distiller (and inventor — he also created a battery-powered sticky note dispenser) Maurice Kanbar says he goes to great lengths to filter out hangover-causing congeners. Blue Angel, he says, contains less than 0.01 grams of congeners or fusel oils per…
Review: Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength (2009)
I really enjoyed Glenfarclas’s 21- and 25-year Scotches at last year’s WhiskyFest, and had the opportunity to sample Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength — a somewhat more commonly found whisky — last night. First, understand that the 105 actually refers to the old British proof system: Glenfarclas 105 is actually 60 percent alcohol by volume, or…
Review: Gosling’s Black Seal and Gold Bermuda Rum
Not exactly a Johnny-come-lately in the rum world, Gosling’s is a brand that’s been around for over 150 years. 151 to be exact (hmmmmm)…. Here’s a long-overdue look at two of Gosling’s most popular and commonly-available blends. Both are sourced in Bermuda and bottled at 80 proof. Gosling’s Black Seal Black Rum – This is…
Review: Pepsi Natural
With little fanfare, Pepsi Natural seems to have abruptly arrived on store shelves: I found a small stack of the new, all-natural version of Pepsi in my local Safeway, on sale for $2.99 for a four-pack of 12-oz. glass bottles. (Regular price: $3.99.) Of course I had to buy it so I could review the…
