Review: Ardbeg Hypernova
How do you top a whisky like Supernova? Simple, you just keep pushing the formula even further. Ardbeg’s Committee release for 2022 is Hypernova, which eschews curious barrel finishes and trips to space for more of what Ardbeg is known for: pouring on the peat. Peated to a phenolic level of 170ppm, Hypernova is Ardbeg’s…
Review: Fever-Tree Blood Orange Ginger Beer
Take Orange Crush and mix it with Fever-Tree’s winning ginger beer and you’ve got this unique yet versatile mixer, which was created in partnership with Maker’s Mark for its Blood Orange Kentucky Mule (1 part bourbon, 3 parts mixer). It doesn’t particularly evoke the Italian blood oranges with which it is made, but rather a…
Review: Old Forester The 117 Series – Extra Extra Old
Old Forester’s latest in its innovative 117 Series has arrived: Extra Extra Old, a double-barreled whiskey that starts with the 1910 expression and ages it in a second, heavy char barrel for 24 months. If this sounds familiar, you might remember the 1910 Extra Old bottling which arrived in 2022 and which was finished in…
Review: 2018 Etude Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs
Etude Winery, based in Napa, built its reputation producing a range of fine Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignons, but they recently branched out to produce their first sparkling wine. Made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes drawn exclusively from the Grace Benoist Ranch vineyards in Carneros, this sparkler pours pale straw in color. The nose…
Review: 2XO The Phoenix Blend
Dixon Dedman is no stranger to the art of blending whiskey. In fact, it’s exactly how he first made his name in the industry as a co-founder of the critically acclaimed Kentucky Owl brand. Having since moved on to his latest venture, 2XO, Dedman is hoping to recreate some of that magic now that he…
Review: Old Ezra Straight Rye 7 Years Old
Luxco’s Old Ezra brand gets a line extension with the introduction of a 7 year old rye, joining the previous 7 year old bourbon — plus a collection of other Old Ezras and less old Ezras. This release is made from blending two mashbills, one 51% rye and one 95% rye. Toasty and quite woody…
Review: Alberta Premium Rye
Alberta Premium has been attempting to live up to its name in recent years, pumping out a series of annually released cask strength versions of its iconic rye whiskey — made with 100% rye in the mash — as well as very old age-statemented offerings like this 20 year old. Today, we take a step…
Review: Ilegal Mezcal – Complete Lineup (2022)
We’re back with our second full round (not including a brief peek at the joven in 2019) with Ilegal, which is a rarity in mezcal, producing three tequila-like expressions instead of merely a blanco — here called a joven — offering. No need to stand on ceremony; let’s dive in. Production details follow with each…
