Review: Swan’s Neck Vodka
More proof to my theory that grapes make the best base for vodka arrives in the form of Swan’s Neck Vodka, an artisan spirit from French grapes distilled in copper pots and named for part of the alembic still used to make it. Swan’s Neck is a very sedate vodka, smooth and silky, offering flavors…
Review: Grey Goose Vodka (2008)
It’s easy to see why Grey Goose has become one of the most successful new liquor brands in recent years. This is a fantastic vodka, smooth and lightly sweet, with a nutty nose and aftertaste that works well in cocktails and adds an interesting complexity when served straight. Grey Goose is very mild, quite neutral…
Review: Tequila Herradura Silver (2008)
Only about a week until Cinco de Mayo… time to get some tequila coverage out of the way, no? Herradura is one of the bigger tequila brands, and for good reason. Nothing at all wrong with this smooth sipper with the horseshoe on the label. This tequila is a pale pale yellow, aged 45 days…
Tasting Report: Napa Valley with Altitude, April 2008
Rather than focus on a specific grape varietal, this event had the unique idea to get the word out about three small parts of Napa Valley, specifically, the mountain regions of Spring Mountain, Mount Veeder, and Diamond Mountain, which run one after another along the valley in the Mayacamas mountain range that makes up Napa’s…
Original Recipe: Nilla Wafer
Once again, it’s dessert drink time at Drinkhacker. This one’s inspired by the eponymous cookie. Nilla Wafer 1 1/2 oz. vodka 1/2 oz. white chocolate liqueur (I use Godiva White) 1/2 oz. Navan vanilla liqueur 1/4 oz. Damiana liqueur (a Mexican herbal liqueur) Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into a cocktail…
Review: On the Rocks Spring Water Ice
Yes, this is a review of a bag of ice. No, it’s not ice made out of diamonds and pixie dust, it’s just ice. From water. And yes, I was skeptical too. Premium ice? At $4 a bag, On the Rocks is about four times as pricey as your average supermarket ice. But the company…
Review: O2 Sparkling Vodka
Yeah, you read that right: Vodka, sparkling. The idea of carbonated vodka is either genius or stupid. I mean, you can pour your vodka into a little soda and it’s got plenty of carbonation right there, doesn’t it? Well, maybe you don’t want soda… maybe you just want sparkling vodka. Great idea! I think. Those…
Tasting Report: Vini Portugal, April 2008
In the world of wine, Portugal is known for two major things: Expensive, fortified dessert wines (Vintage Port), and super-cheap whites (primarily from the Vinho Verde region). Recently, nearly 40 Portuguese wineries, importers, and distributors gathered in San Francisco to offer an updated perspective on the wines of Portugal. The verdict: About the same as…
