Review: Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whiskey 30 Years Old
We sampled the wares of Fuji earlier in the year, learning about its approach to grain whiskey, which involves three different mashbills and distilling processes. While Fuji’s standard Single Grain release carries no age statement, this edition is quite the opposite, bearing a 30 year old age statement — with some of the whiskies…
Review: Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023
Well, it’s that time of year again, where you’re supposed to be making New Year’s resolutions not to drink so much, but along comes Barrell Craft Spirits with its annual New Year release just daring you to forget all about Dry January. (We did.) When it first launched in 2016, this bourbon was something of…
Review: Flying Embers Margaritas and Mojitos
Flying Embers is best known for making hard kombuchas, but it also produces hard seltzers and these canned cocktails, all made with zero sugar and zero carbs. Its unclear what these “cocktail inspired drinks” are made from, but it’s not distilled spirits and it’s not malt liquor. The labels sclaim “alcohol from organic cane sugar,”…
Snus in Sports: Why Athletes Consume Snus
ADVERTISEMENT Snus and its effect in sports has not been conclusively scientifically proven. According to previous findings, sports associations assume it has a performance-enhancing effect, which is why many organizations prohibit snus in sports. Some clubs even go so far as to put snus on the anti-doping list. What exactly is the hype among athletes…
The Willy Wonka of Whisky: An Interview with Dr. Bill Lumsden (Part 3)
As you can probably tell from this three-part series, we had a lot to discuss with Dr. Bill during our sit down over the summer, and he was incredibly generous with his time. Unlike American distilleries, Scotch whisky has fewer “master distiller” types like Dr. Bill, figures that are both the creative and technical experts…
Review: NV Louis Pommery Blanc de Blancs Apanage
This festive, chardonnay-based Champagne — now available in a fancy gift box — offers the perfect celebratory composition, featuring a buttery (and not at all yeasty) body with a semi-sweet and boldly fruity quality that evokes notes of lemon curd, mandarin orange, and a slight layer of vanilla. Chewy and creamy but punctuated by acidity,…
Review: 1934 Bloody Mary Mix Original
1934 produces barbeque sauce and bloody mary mixes — which, when you get down to it, aren’t all that different. Today we busy ourselves with the latter, of which 1934 only makes one variety at present. It’s solid stuff, not too thick, and clearly loaded with Worcestershire, horseradish, and a vinegary kick. Plenty of garlic…
Review: Fortuna Bourbon
If I were to ask you for a “bourbon-y bourbon” what exactly might come to mind? If you have a mind at all in line with Pablo Moix then you’ll find your answer with his newest release, Fortuna Bourbon. While it may seem that reviving long-forgotten whiskey brands is en vogue these days, it should…
