Review: Clonakilty Irish Whiskey – Port Cask Finish and Chateau La Cardonne Finish
I recently had a chance to sit down with Padraic Coll, co-founder of the Clonakilty Distillery, when he visited Boston to discuss the company’s whiskey line and future plans. One of Clonakilty’s more exciting projects is collaborating with local breweries across the U.S., aging their Irish whiskey in a variety of distinctive beer casks. They…
Review: Blue Run Emerald Rye
Blue Run has been on quite a streak this year. After releasing batch 2 of their Golden Rye along with Reflection I, a High Rye Bourbon, and their impressive Flight Series, the brand is back again with their latest expression: Blue Run Emerald Rye. Though this is only the third rye, and only the second…
Bar Review: Peacock Room, New Orleans
A short walk from New Orleans’ French Quarter and on the ground floor of the upscale Hotel Fontenot you’ll find the Peacock Room, which has been serving upscale cocktails — no TVs, even when the Saints are playing — to thirsty locals and visitors alike. On a recent trip — during the first chill of…
Review: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release 2022 – American Single Malt Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks
The American Single Malt market has been exploding in recent years in a trend that was acknowledged back in July of this year by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) when they officially agreed to recognize the unique category. Well, now Jack Daniel’s is joining the fray as they just unveiled their…
Review: WhistlePig “The Boss Hog IX: Siren’s Song” Rye Whiskey 2022
Just when you think WhistlePig’s “Boss Hog” releases can’t get any weirder, they raise the bar again. Or at least they move it to entirely different building. For 2022, the Greek muse-inspired “Siren’s Song” starts as a standard WhistlePig rye which goes from its standard bourbon barrels into two types of finishing barrels: Greek fig…
Review: Nikka Discovery Yoichi and Miyagikyo 2022
Nikka’s Discovery series, which launched last year, was a fun way to explore unexpected flavors from the Japanese icon’s two distilleries. While the 2021 expressions focused on the use of peat (or lack thereof), this year’s takes a deep dive into one of the unsung heroes of distillation: yeast. The two whiskies in this year’s…
Review: 2019 Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha
The grapes for Borsao’s flagship wine are grown on the slopes of the Moncayo mountain in Campo de Borja, Spain. It pours medium ruby colored in the glass and exudes enticing notes of ripe blackberries and pepper on the nose. The palate follows suit and shows additional depth. Balanced with bright blackberries and gentle pepper…
Review: Lagavulin 11 Years Old Offerman Edition Charred Oak Cask 2022
The collaboration between Islay’s Lagavulin and Nick Offerman continues with the duo’s third release: Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Charred Oak Cask. This 11 year old bottling was designed to pair specifically with steak and is made be aging the spirit in American and European oak casks that are shaved down and then heavily re-charred, really pouring…
