Review: Citadelle Gin Vive le Cornichon
How’s your French? Citadelle‘s new special edition is clearly inspired by just one of its 21 ingredients: cornichon pickles, which stretches the definition of a “botanical” considerably. There are 20 other ingredients in this oddball creation, but let’s focus on the namesake here: “The cornichons infused in Citadelle Original’s aromatic base come from Maison Marc,…
Review: Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Historic Barrel Entry
Woodford Reserve’s latest Master’s Collection release is upon us. Formally the Winter 2022 release, it’s hitting only now in February 2023, but who’s counting. The twist with this release is an interesting one. Of all the aspects of whiskeymaking, barrel entry proof tends to get the least amount of discussion, in part because it is…
Review: Kentucky Owl Bourbon Batch 12
Kentucky Owl has had a lot to prove ever since handing over the reigns to their Master Blender John Rhea. Since Rhea took over in 2021 the former COO of Four Roses has overseen a flurry of activity in the form of new expressions and a number of limited edition offerings for the brand. The…
Review: Ben Holladay Missouri Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond
Ben Holladay is Missouri’s oldest distillery, and after a $10 million renovation in 2015, it began distilling bourbon on-site for the first time in three decades. Seven years later, the first bourbon from those days was completed and bottled, having been released sometime last year. All production from mash (73% corn, 15% rye, 12% malted…
Review: Desolas Mezcal
Desolas Mezcal is made from 100% Salmiana agave, sometimes called the “green giant” for its larger size, and which sometimes needs as much as 25 years to reach its prime. In addition to using a particular agave, Desolas is also distinctive among mezcals for its minimal smokiness, which results from the use of above ground…
Review: “The Last of Us” Moth & Wolf Blended Scotch Whisky
If you’re enjoying The Last of Us on HBO as much as I am, you probably sit there watching the show, thinking all the time, Damn, this would be a whole lot better with a show-branded glass of Scotch. Well folks, wish granted. Moth & Wolf is a limited-edition blended Scotch whisky that was originally developed…
Review: Speyburn 10 Years Old (2023)
Long one of the best values in single malt Scotch, Speyburn 10‘s price has risen only 6 bucks in the 12 years since we last reviewed it. As it happens, the whisky has changed a bit, most notably seeing its proof dropped from 86 to 80. Tasting it fresh in 2023, we find a…
The Best Ready-to-Drink Margarita: 11 Brands Tasted
National Margarita Day is February 22, and true patriots of libation nation will be honoring their favorite tequila-lime traditions across this great land. For those who’d rather crack open a can than shake up a home-built cocktail, we’ve sampled 11 notable ready-to-drink options to help you with your celebrations. Whether you’re a traditionalist lean toward…
