Review: 2018 Roger Goulart Cava Reserva
This cava is made with organic grapes — 50% macabeo, 35% xarel·lo, and 15% parellada. Lush red apple notes, touched with cinnamon, find a counterpart in notes of fresh nougat, lemon curd, and a pinch of saline. Notes of almond emerge on the finish. There’s not a ton of acidity in the mix here, but…
Review: Stellum Black Equinox Blend #1 and Fibonacci Blend #1
It seems like Barrell Craft Spirits just can’t stop making premium blends, no matter how hard they try. Last year, Barrell launched their Stellum Spirits line which offered a cask strength bourbon and rye designed to be simpler blends at a more wallet-friendly price point than their batch releases. The goal here seemed to…
Review: 5 Drnxmyth Ready-to-Drink Cocktails, 2022 Releases
We’re back with more from Drnxmyth, one of my favorite ready-to-drink brands on the market. As a reminder, these are kept cold and come packaged in unique two-chamber containers, booze on top, juice on the bottom. Twist the two together and you’ve got a cocktail ready for a glass of ice. Abv for each hovers…
Review: Gothic Gin
Gothic is a recent addition to the gin world, distilled in California but with inspiration that hails all the way from gin-crazy Spain. To wit: Founder Chris Klug started traveling the world when he was nine years old. His experiences with cultures throughout the world and their approaches to food and drink led him to…
Review: 2020 Tommasi Le Fornaci Lugana DOC
The turbiana grapes for this wine are grown on the south shore of Italy’s Lake Garda. Lightly sweet and floral, this comes across much like a pinot grigio, a blend of grapefruit peel, tropical fruits, and dried flowers all in a swirl. It can admittedly be a bit much at times, which is why a thin layer…
Review: Fox & Oden Straight Bourbon and Double-Oaked Straight Bourbon
Fox & Oden is a new non-distilling producer that hails from Holland, Michigan, but that’s all I’m really able to tell you about the brand. At present, a bourbon and single malt are advertised on the website, although we also have in our possession both a double-oaked bourbon and a straight rye for consideration that…
Review: 2021 Field Recordings Freddo Sangiovese Paso Robles
Paso Robles-based Field Recordings recently dropped this 100% sangiovese, fancifully named Freddo after, well, who knows. It’s a lively and immediately approachable wine, with just a touch of frizzante on the tip of the tongue. Bright cherry notes up front are tempered by elements of mint, ginger, and then a sprinkle of turned earth, that…
Review: Blood Oath Bourbon Whiskey Pact 8 2022
Blood Oath #8 is upon us, and as always the “pact” continues to evolve. This year’s version starts with a 14-year ryed bourbon and an 11-year ryed bourbon, then they blend in the twist: an 8-year ryed bourbon finished in Calvados casks. I like this whiskey quite a bit. While apple brandy can have a…
