Review: Filibuster Triple Cask Bourbon Tokaji Finished and Moscatel Finished
We’ve sampled a few of the rarer offerings from Virginia’s Filibuster Distillery in recent years, and today we’re looking at a pair of extremely limited-release whiskeys from their Triple Cask line. The more readily available core expressions include a Dual Cask rye and bourbon finished exclusively in French oak, but for the Triple Cask offerings,…
Review: 4 Stone Buenafiesta Margaritas
The latest company to enter the ready-to-drink space is Stone Brewing, which recently dropped this quartet of canned RTD margaritas: all sparkling, and made with real tequila. We got the full lineup to try, so let’s serve the salsa and get started. Each is 12.5% abv. Stone Buenafiesta Margarita Classic Lime – Things kick off…
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…