Review: Bhakta 27-07 Brandy
Raj Bhakta‘s eponymous brand tiptoes downmarket and sideways with the launch of 27-07, which adds Calvados to the mix, blending it with Armagnac then finishing it in Islay casks much like the original Bhakta. While the 27-07’s intended age statement—7 years at its youngest, and 27 at its oldest—already placed it among the oldest spirits…
Review: 2021 Chateau la Freynelle Bordeaux
This white Bordeaux wine leans heavily on the sauvignon blanc (60%) in its blend (semillon and muscadelle make up the rest), showcasing bright acidity and a steely, grassy quality that dominates the experience. Gentle florals and a touch of cookie dough perk up on a finish that is tight and a little acidic, some potpourri…
Review: WhistlePig SmokeStock Whiskey
WhistlePig has always leaned towards a bit of irreverence in their exploration of whiskey expressions. Their 100% rye whiskeys have been well regarded as well as their special releases (despite their price tag). For this latest release, the company collaborated with Traeger grills, creator of the wood pellet grill, to create a BBQ themed whiskey.…
Review: Heritage Distilling Elk Rider Vodka and Flavored Vodkas – Lavender, Huckleberry, and Coffee
Washington-based craft distillery Heritage Distilling is perhaps best known for their Brown Sugar Bourbon, which appears to have been sold off and become something of celebrity label after entertainer Jamie Foxx made an unspecified investment in the brand in 2021. We reviewed that original expression, along with four whiskeys and a gin, more than five…
Review: Crab Trapper Green Crab Flavored Whiskey
New Hampshire’s Tamworth Distilling is back at it again with another oddity: Crab Trapper, a bourbon-based whiskey “steeped with a custom crab, corn, and spice blend mixture, best likened to a Low Country Boil.” The green crabs used in the whiskey have an invasive species in New England for over a century, so using them…
Review: 2021 Epoch Rose
This Paso Robles rose is made of 59% mourvedre, 33% grenache, and 8% syrah. It’s a Rhone-happy combination that makes for a, well, hit-and-miss experience. A slightly bitter palate dulls notes of honeysuckle, strawberry, and crispy toasted marshmallow, all of which can be worthwhile but which don’t really gel together perfectly here. Florals become a…
Review: Alberta Premium Rye 20 Years Old
Long time rye drinkers have likely had their fair share of juice from Alberta Distillers, though more commonly via brands that source from the Calgary-based single-grain giant. A long time mainstay on Canadian shelves, the distillery’s own Alberta Premium brand has more recently made waves south of the border. Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye has…
Review: Fainting Goat Spirits Tiny Cat Vodka and Emulsion Gin
Fainting Goat Spirits in Greensboro, NC is named for, well, fainting goats. I didn’t even know that was a thing, but apparently the occasional goat is indeed myotonic, falling stiff on the ground when startled or frightened but quickly getting back up again. Their resilience and their oddity are both qualities the team at Fainting…
