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…
Is It Worse to Drive Drunk or on the Cell Phone?
Here’s a wholly unscientific look at the question I undertook back in 2005 courtesy of a closed track at a Malibu Grand Prix, a friend with an oversized liver, and half a bottle of Absolut. The answer: Inconclusive. Related posts: Drinkhacker’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide – Best Alcohol/Spirits for Christmas Review: Linden Leaf Organic Molecular…
Review: Vermont White Vodka and Vermont Gold Vodka
In this business, you learn something every day. Today I have learned that you can make vodka out of anything. Vermont Spirits makes its two vodkas, Vermont White and Vermont Gold, out of truly unique base ingredients: milk and maple syrup, respectively. Vodka out of sugar? I’d have thought that distilling sugar would net you…
Review: Gran Sierpe Pisco Quebranta Grapes
Distilled in Chile and Peru — where the definition of what is “real” pisco remains a national preoccupation on both sides — pisco is grape brandy that, unlike French brandies, is unaged (or aged very little), and generally used in cocktails. Gran Sierpe is Peruvian pisco, and the company makes three varieties, using three different…
Review: Brady’s Irish Cream Liqueur
Brady’s isn’t the biggest name in Irish Cream liqueurs… but it sure sounds a lot like it. Turns out it tastes a lot like it, too. At $12 a bottle (sometimes as little as $10), Brady’s is an extremely credible and, possibly of more importance, inexpensive knockoff of Bailey’s, the most noteworthy of standby dessert…
