Review: Maker’s Mark BEP 2023 Limited Release
Stop me if this sounds familiar: For its latest entry into its Wood Finishing Series, Maker’s Mark is analyzing the impact of barrel entry proof — aka BEP. Maker’s is famous for entering the barrel at a low 110 proof instead of the more typical 125, which was legalized in 1962. (It’s the only major…
Review: Hendrick’s Flora Adora Gin
Hendrick’s is cranking out special editions like gin is going out of style, the latest being the Harry Potter-esque Flora Adora, the fourth installment in the Hendrick’s Cabinet of Curiosity lineup. Designed by master distiller Lesley Gracie, Flora Adora is built around flowers, though details beyond that are sketchy. The base spirit includes all the…
Review: Jack Daniel’s 12 Years Old Batch 1 and 10 Years Old Batch 2 (2023)
Two years ago Jack Jack Daniel’s released its first age-statemented whiskey in a century — Jack Daniel’s 10 Years Old — and now it’s back with a second batch, plus a friend. Today we check out JD 10 Batch 2 as well as the first batch of an older sibling, Jack Daniel’s 12 Years Old.…
Review: Wines of Opolo, 2023 Releases
Opolo is a long-time friend of Drinkhacker, turning out a tight range of zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon-focused wines from the Paso Robles area. Today we dig into three new releases from the winery, two zins and a cab. 2021 Opolo Zinfandel Summit Creek – The classic zinfandel recipe has been followed to a T here,…
Review: Buzzard’s Roost Smoked Barrel Straight Rye
Buzzard’s Roost continues to pump out new whiskeys, this latest one a sourced rye made from 95% rye and 5% malted barley, aged four years, then finished in new American oak barrels that were toasted and then lightly smoked. It’s not my favorite expression from the brand, the heavy spice and grassiness of the rye…
Review: Knob Creek Rye 7 Years Old (2023)
It’s been over a decade since we last reviewed Knob Creek’s flagship rye whiskey, and there’s ample reason to revisit it now. As of March 2023, the previously non-age stated rye now carries a seven year age statement, the first since its national launch in 2012. That’s a noticeable change for a widely available and…
Review: 2020 Beringer Chardonnay Private Reserve
No surprises here from this iconic name in California wine: This is an expressive Napa chardonnay, with a bold emphasis on vanilla and brown butter. Notes of lemon curd quickly take hold and give the experience a citrus-fueled sweetness, though toasty oak and vanilla custard quickly come back into focus, taking over. It’s a bit…
Review: Lost Lantern Spring 2023 Single Cask Releases
Indie bottler Lost Lantern continues its focus on unique American craft whiskeys with its latest single cask collection. The four bottlings comprising the Spring 2023 cohort feature some of their oldest offerings yet from the likes of Westland, Watershed, and Corbin Cash, all bottled without filtration and at cask strength. A bit about this bunch…
