Review: Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey The Osopher
After a recent visit to Stranahan’s for the release of their highly sought-after Snowflake expression (review soon to come) I happened to ask founder Jess Graber a simple question, “Is Snowflake the release you’re most proud of?” After a moment’s reflection Jess replied, “No, that would be The Osopher.” If you’re unfamiliar with Stranahan’s The…
Review: Clean Co Clean G and Clean T Spirit Alternatives
Clean Co produces a range of non-alcoholic “spirit alternatives” — including a non-alcoholic vodka, even — and while I’d like to tell you how they’re made, the company behind them doesn’t share a lot of information on that front. Available primarily in the UK, the Clean Co lineup is made without sweeteners or gluten and…
Review: Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series Vol. IV
The Bootleg Series from Heaven’s Door, now in its fourth iteration, always comes complete with three things: a painting from Bob Dylan, a beautiful bespoke leather case, and an eye-popping asking price. The liquid composition of each series entry, however, is always different. For this latest edition the brand has taken 11 year-old wheated bourbon…
Review: Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (2022)
Garrison Brothers, my neighbors down the road in Hye, Texas, recently released its 2022 Cowboy Bourbon, an annual release that we have somehow missed reviewing to date. Drawn from 8- and 9-year old barrels and bottled uncut and unfiltered, it’s one of the distillery’s most prized expressions. Let’s give it a whirl. The reddish-hued spirit…
Review: Prospero Tequila – Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo
Made by Master Distiller Stella Anguiano and fronted by pop star Rita Ora, Próspero Tequila first became available in 2019. Female distillers, particularly of tequila, are rare, but Stella Anguiano has paid her dues. She has been making tequila for over 30 years, including working at the Orendain family distillery for 20 years. Próspero tequila…
Review: Malbecs of Catena Zapata, 2023 Releases
Bodega Catena Zapata is the oldest Argentinian family winery, producing under family ownership since 1902. The winery is credited with making Argentina synonymous with malbec, though it also produces a wide range of international varietals. Today we look at three wines produced by the fourth generation of Zapata — all of which were sampled from…
Review: Uncle Nearest Straight Rye
Uncle Nearest began its foray into rye whiskey earlier this fall with the limited release of Uncut/Unfiltered, a burly, cask strength bruiser that I came to appreciate (with some revisiting and a healthy splash of water). For their next addition to the rye side of the portfolio, the distillery is introducing Uncle Nearest Straight…
Review: Daviess County Bourbon Lightly Toasted Barrel Finish
In a world of “heavy char” bourbon releases, the Lux Row/MGP-owned Daviess County recently hit the ground with the opposite approach, a whiskey finished not just in the now de rigueur toasted barrel but specifically “lightly toasted” ones. It’s the first in a series of toasted barrel releases that will be coming out annually. Daviess…
