Review: NV Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve Porto Special Vina Velha Edition
Graham’s continues to turn out limited bottlings, special editions based on its iconic Six Grapes Port. This latest is called the Special Vila Velha Edition, and it’s drawn exclusively from the grapes grown at Quinta da Vila Velha, one of the four Douro estates that supplies Graham’s Port. The property was purchased by the late…
Review: McConnell’s Sherry Cask Finish Irish Whisky
Last fall, newly resurrected Irish whisky brand McConnell’s took its first step toward broadening their portfolio with the release of this bottle, McConnell’s Sherry Cask Finish Irish Whisky. As the name implies, this is classic McConnell’s – presumably still a five-year-old blend of malt and grain whiskies distilled at Great Northern Distillery – finished for…
Review: 2021 Mary Taylor Sicilia Rosso
Similar in scope to Laura Catena’s La Posta line in Argentina, Mary Taylor works with individual growers in small villages throughout Europe who produce regionally-distinctive wines beyond the great grapes of the canon, but may not have production resources or logistics to distribute globally. Today we’re taking our first look at this distribution house with…
Review: Writers’ Tears Red Head Irish Whiskey
Writers’ Tears is a perennial Irish whiskey favorite, and it’s been exciting to see a series of new expressions arrive from the brand. This latest is named Red Head on account of its lovely, ruddy color, a result of being matured in oloroso sherry casks. There’s no age statement here, but the impact is altogether…
Review: Cenote Tequila Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo
Cenote tequila is a bit of a mystery. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a “cenote” is a “deep sinkhole in limestone with a pool at the bottom that is found especially in Yucatán.” The Cenote brand, according to their website, uses the name to invoke “the beauty of the Yucatán Peninsula and the spectacular underground…
Review: Hennessy Cognac VS and XO
We’ve reviewed countless special editions from iconic Cognac producer Hennessy over the years, but its core line has strangely eluded our pen. Today we begin to rectify that with a look at two stalwarts of Hennessy’s core line: VS and XO. Both are 80 proof. Hennessy VS Cognac – The entry level Hennessy is…
Review: 2021 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon
Our regular sojourn to the vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina’s Trapiche carries on in 2023 with a recent pair of offerings, a malbec and cabernet sauvignon, both from its “Oak Cask” line. Trapiche prides itself on a reputation of accessibility in both price and taste, so let’s see if this year’s offerings keep that consistency on…
Review: Himbrimi Old Tom Gin
Earlier this year, we reviewed Brunnur Distillery’s Himbrimi Winterbird Gin, a delicate but enjoyable expression of classic London Dry distilled with a unique mix of Icelandic botanicals. According to the folks at Himbrimi, their founder Oscar Ericsson was inspired to get into gin-making so that he could have something to take with him on his…
