Review: Zodiac Vodka
As gimmicks go, astrology is pretty far up there. Or should I say “out there.” And thus one looks to Zodiac Vodka with a certain skepticism: Available in 12 different, star-signed bottles, Zodiac attempts to merge the astrologic with the alcoholic. How does it fare? This potato vodka (straight outta Idaho, U.S.A.) is 80 proof…
U.S. Alcohol Consumption Falling
What? Sales of liquor are supposed to go up during a recession or periods of other economic unrest. But the American Journal of Medicine is saying that alcohol sales are on the decline, with beer especially getting hit hard. Researchers examined 50 years of data and found several changes in alcohol intake but no change…
Review: Gran Centenario Plata Tequila (2008)
The first thing you’ll notice about this blanco tequila is the distinct yellow tone it has. That’s not a tint on the Deco-styled bottle, that’s the spirit. But aren’t blanco tequilas supposed to be totally clear? Surprise: Gran Centenario lets its blanco/plata mellow for 28 days in oak barrels before going into bottle. It’s not…
Winebloggin’ Part III Now Up
Look at all that juice! Related posts: Review: Heaven’s Door 777 Blend and Bootleg Series Vol. III Review: Graham’s Tawny Port 20 Years Old (2022) Review: Malbecs of de Negoce, Fall 2022 Releases Review: Hallmark Christmas Wines, 2022 Releases
Review: Obsello Absinthe
I love getting a sneak peek at stuff before it hits the market, but it’s even better when the stuff is good. Obsello, come tomorrow, will be the first Spanish absinthe for sale in the U.S., and even then only in San Francisco. (New York is coming soon.) Obsello’s Joanne Haruta (pictured) is in town…
Review: Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila
Got a chance to try Sammy Hagar’s Mexican brainchild: Cabo Wabo, at least its reposado version, thanks to a bottle courtesy of the company. Reposado is historically my least favorite of the three tequila varieties, so I went in automatically disappointed, but came away reasonably impressed. Cabo Wabo’s Reposado (aged from 3 to 12 months…
Review: Mata Hari Absinthe Bohemian
Mata Hari absinthe is an Austrian spirit, distilled (per the bottle) from the original Belle Epoque recipe from 1881. Of course, the actual Mata Hari would have been just 5 years old at the time the recipe was created, so we’ll assume the recipe came first, the name came later. Made with Grand Wormwood and…
Review: Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager
Summer’s almost over (my kids go back to school in three weeks, thank God), but that doesn’t mean you won’t still find dozens of summer-themed brews on the shelves. Drink it up. It’s still plenty hot. Sierra Nevada’s Summerfest is by and large what we expect from a summer-themed beer. Not too complicated. Crisp. A…
