A Visit to Cognac, France – Part 2: Remy Martin
After a whirlwind day with a small producer, I thought we should contrast that with one of the biggest producers in the Cognac business. At last count Rémy Martin was the #2 producer of Cognac, battling out for that spot with Martell and Courvousier, who are all neck and neck and tend to hand the…
Review: 2020 Malbecs – Susana Balbo Signature and Ben Marco
Carrying on with today’s celebration of World Malbec Day, we have two offerings from one of the leading and legendary names of Malbec. Before the buzz circling around the varietal grew large, Susana Balbo was at the forefront of the trend, crafting high-quality wines that made the world stand up and take notice. She was…
Review: 2021 Trivento Reserve Malbec
Today, April 17, is World Malbec Day. Normally there’s a reluctance to partake in marketing-fabricated, unofficial holidays. And even though Malbecs are to be enjoyed all 365/66 days of the year, we’re going all in on it this year and celebrating accordingly. Made with grapes from vines grown in both the southern (Uco Valley) and…
Review: Middle West Spirits Lux & Umbra Gin
Ohio’s Middle West Spirits makes multiple whiskeys and vodkas but has long had only one gin, Vim & Petal. Now it adds a second gin to the mix: Lux & Umbra, which is made in the London dry style from a corn distillate, with just 6 botanicals: juniper, lemon, coriander, orris root, grains of paradise,…
Review: Still Austin Straight Rye “The Artist”
First there was The Musician. Now there’s The Artist, Still Austin’s rye that follows up its straight bourbon. Like Still’s other bottlings, this is made from 100% Texas grains — this one entirely rye, with no other grains in the mash. Aged at least 2 years, let’s delve into the experience of The Artist. Shocker…
Review: Michter’s Single Barrel Straight Bourbon 10 Years Old 2023
Michter’s much-loved 10-year-old single barrel bourbon is already reportedly older than its age statement. Which is why it was a bit of a surprise last year when the distillery announced that it would be holding back the expression for 2022, citing the anticipated potential of one more year of barrel aging. Brand owner Joe Magliocco…
Review: Honey & Co. Mas Miel Liqueur
Honey-flavored whiskeys are widely available, but honey and Cognac? That’s a new category altogether. Honey & Co., aka “Mas Miel,” which means “more honey” in Spanish, is a partnership between Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro and La Société des Vins et Eaux de Vie, a custom Cognac producer. Inspired by Alejandro’s custom pre-show concoction of…
Review: New Belgium Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale (2022)
New Belgium Brewing’s limited edition Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale has lived many lives during its brief existence. It began in 2018 as a holiday release in partnership with Knob Creek, which is where we first and last encountered it. In 2020, New Belgium used the label to dip their toe into the cocktail-inspired beer world…
