Book Review: American Whiskey (Second Edition)
In his forward for the second edition of Richard Thomas’s American Whiskey, Robin Robinson offers up the monumental understatement that the American whiskey industry is “a dynamic industry where change is constant.” That truth is born out just in a quick comparison between the first edition of Mr. Thomas’s book, published in 2019, and the…
Review: Robert Mondavi 2019 Sauvignon Blanc and 2018 The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon
Two new releases from Napa’s iconic Robert Mondavi Winery have just arrived. Let’s dive in. 2019 Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley – Initially on the green side, in fact a bit bitter, this wine never quite develops beyond its roots as a grassy, lemon peel-driven experience, culminating in a finish that is heavy on…
Tasting the Sherry-Aged Spirits of Gonzalez Byass (2022)
Gonzalez Byass is one of the largest producers of sherry in Spain, and as any modern drinker knows, the demand for sherry barrels far outweighs the demand for sherry itself. Sherry barrel aging gives all manner of spirits a distinct character, and at some point, Gonzalez Byass figured out it should be making spirits of…
Review: La Marielita Rum 18 Years Old
A new rum has hit the shelves in Florida, California, and New York (available nationally online), and it has a pretty powerful backstory. To wit: Led by Janet Diaz-Bonilla, the first Cuban-American immigrant woman to found and own a rum brand, La Marielita is a proud collaboration of Janet Diaz-Bonilla and fellow Cuban rooted masterminds…
Review: Dutcher Crossing 2019 Costello Chardonnay and 2018 Proprietor’s Cabernet Sauvignon
Two new wines from our friends in Sonoma’s Dutcher Crossing. 2019 Dutcher Crossing Chardonnay Costello Vineyard – This Alexander Valley chardonnay bursts with notes of coconut and guava, then moves into Meyer lemon and baking spice notes. A bit doughy and unctuous, as you’d expect from a Sonoma chardonnay, the oak influence drops ample vanilla…
Review: Sagamore Spirit Rye Creator’s Cask
American whiskey fans have long been stricken with single barrel fever. And for a community based around comparing and contrasting opinions on flavor, that really comes as no surprise. Barrel picks allow us to explore a single producer’s range, all while admiring the variety that can emerge when sipping otherwise identical distillate side-by-side. Some hallmark…
Review: Wines of Cloudy Bay, 2022 Releases
New Zealand’s Cloudy Bay recently sent us a trio of wines — with both the 2021 and 2022 vintages of its iconic sauvignon blanc represented. Let’s dig into all of them. 2020 Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir Marlborough – A pedestrian pinot, slightly beefy with distant, demure fruit that tries only fitfully to break through the…
Review: Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish
The march of Basil Hayden whiskey releases continues with yet another special expression, this one starting with standard Basil Hayden bourbon, then finishing it in California red wine casks. There’s no information on the finishing process (or much else) beyond that descriptor, so let’s simply dive in. The dissonance here is immediate. The nose is…
