Review: Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey (2009)
No one reaches first for Tullamore Dew when they think of Irish whiskey, but looking at the spirit was fresh eyes, nostrils, and taste buds, it’s really not half bad. That said, the “Standard Blend” is nothing special. The flavor profile of the Dew is mildly sweet and malt-like, touched with lemon and with a…
Recipe: Shamrocked
St. Patrick’s Day is just a week and change away. That means spirits merchants inundate us with holiday-appropriate recipes — I’ve been surprised by the number of tequila-based cocktail ideas this year — but this was the one I was most anxious to try, courtesy of the folks at Tullamore Dew. (Irish whiskey, of course,…
Review: Combier Liqueur d’Orange
The world has no shortage of orange-flavored liqueurs. If generic triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier aren’t good enough, you can always delve into a dozen or so orange-infused vodkas on the market. I’d say there’s room for one more, but La Distillerie Combier has a different claim to make: It owns up to being…
Review: The Yamazaki 18 Years Old
I’m quite the fan of Suntory’s 12 year old Yamazaki Japanese whisky, and finally got the chance to compare the 12 year to the 18 year version of The Yamazaki, side by side. Everything you like about the 12 year — honey and citrus galore — is present in the 18, but amped up into…
Winebloggin’: The Final Chapter
At long last, the final piece of the Winebloggin’ puzzle is in place. My Winepod is drained, my barrel emptied, and my 2007 Cabernet is in bottles… and to my great surprise, getting rave reviews. Read the final chapter of the epic saga here! Or catch up on the complete tale from the beginning: Parts…
Review: 2006 Robert Craig Affinity
We last encountered Robert Craig Affinity in June of last year with the 2005 vintage. The 2006 arrives a bit early, but we’re not ones to let good wine sit idle. This year’s Bordeaux-style Napa Valley blend is more “ready” than the 2005, a racier, spicier wine, very fruity and laced with exotic spice like…
Review: Bruichladdich Bourbon Cask 16, 2001 Resurrection Dram, 21 Years Old, and 1984 Golder Still
Bruichladdich — a perennial favorite at Drinkhacker HQ from Islay — recently released a number of new expressions of its classic whisky, some with surprising compositions. We got our mitts (and tongues) on four of them: Bruichladdich Bourbon Cask Aged 16 Years Old – No big surprise here. 97 percent of Scotch whisky is matured…
Review: NV Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut Blanc de Blancs (2009)
Produced in a style similar to Champagne and made just around the corner in the Alsace region of France, Lucien Albrecht’s Cremant d’Alsace Brut Blanc de Blancs is a very lovely sparkling white wine that won’t break the bank. Elegant and moderately to heavily fizzy, the nonvintage Brut has a very sharp apple nose to…
