Review: Dewar’s Special Reserve 12 Years Old
A cut above standard grade Dewar’s, this 12-year-old blended Scotch is as smooth as they come. Honey is brightest on the palate, and a smoky, tobacco-laden aftertaste lingers on the finish. Light and almost crisp (imagine biting into a fresh apple), this is a whisky that’s best straight up, without water or ice. At just…
Review: Tonala Tequila Añejo
Patron enthusiasts, you’re on notice: There’s better stuff out there… but yes, it will cost you. Tonala is a pottery town in the state of Jalisco… and they also turn out a mighty fine tequila, too. Tonala’s Añejo is a subtle, not-overly-oaky golden amber sipper, as smooth a tequila as I can remember. With just…
Original Recipe: The White Prussian
Just goofing around with dessert drinks again. Here’s a way to sort-of emulate the venerable White Russian even if you don’t have Half & Half on hand… and maybe even improve on it. (I suppose you could always use coffee liqueur if you’re a stickler for accuracy.) The White Prussian 1 oz. vodka 3/4 oz.…
Review: 2004 Viñedos de Aldeanueva Rioja Cortijo II Crianza
If you’ve dismissed Spanish wines until now, you might be in for a surprise. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an easier drinking wine, from Spain or anywhere else, than Viñedos de Aldeanueva’s Cortijo Crianza (aka Cortijo II Crianza; the II refers to, well, I’m not sure exactly what, but I think it has something to…
Original Recipe: The St. Ignatius Cocktail
The idea for this cocktail came to me out of the blue. It’s indeed quite delicious. The St. Ignatius 1 oz. St. Germain liqueur 1 oz. white dessert wine (Sauternes, Tokaji, Moscato, or premium American botrytis-affected wine like Violetta) Shake with ice and strain into a coupe. I actually used Donnafugata’s Passito di Pantelleria Ben…
Review: Kona Brewing Co. Longboard Island Lager (2008)
Longboard Lager really is made in Hawaii. The Kona Brewing Company churns out 190,000 gallons of beer a year, in fact, with a staff of six people. It’s amazing, then, that Kona beers seem to be so easy to find here in the States, at least on the west coast. Longboard is the company’s flagship…
Review: Peak Organic Amber Ale, Nut Brown Ale, and Pale Ale
Organic beer: OK, I’m in! Peak Organic brews three beers out of its Portland, Maine headquarters, using organic barley and hops and, of course, 100% organic water. Can you taste the difference? Well, depends on what you compare it to. I tried all three of Peak’s beers. Here are some comments. Peak Organic Amber Ale…
Original Recipe: The Thorny Toad
Try one of these if you’re a fan of bitter drinks like the Negroni. The Thorny Toad 2 oz. Irish whiskey 1 oz. Punt e Mes splash Absinthe 3 dashes Angostura bitters Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Adapted from the Blackthorn Cocktail, from the classic Savoy Cocktail Book. Related posts: Recipe:…
