Review: Wines of Bellissima Zero, 2022 Releases
Bellissima Zero is a wine that includes Christie Brinkley as its brand partner, the wine positioning itself in the BFY (aka “better-for-you”) and “better-for-the-planet” categories (apparently these are a thing). The new line of nonvintage still and sparkling wines are vegan and made with organic grapes. The “Zero” in the name is a reference to…
Review: Shaker & Spoon Vodka Brunch Box
As high-end cocktail subscription service Shaker & Spoon notes, “Over the years our boxes have featured countless drinks to enjoy while twirling away in the twilight hours—so now it’s time for a slight change: three options primed to become the belles of your next brunch.” This installment of S&S’s box attempts the impossible: Making vodka…
Review: Filey Bay Yorkshire Single Malt Whisky Flagship, STR, and Fino Single Cask (2022)
Made by the Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, Filey Bay is the first single malt whisky made in, “and of,” Yorkshire, England. The distillery says this because it’s a true “field to bottle” operation, made with local malt, pot distilled, and aged on site. Filey Bay has a rather extreme finishing operation, with over a half…
Review: Joe Gambino’s Bakery King Cake Rum Cream
Made in New Orleans by our friends at Cocktail & Sons, which is known for its line of exotic syrups, this collaboration with Joe Gambino’s Bakery is the outfit’s first alcoholic product, a rum cream flavored to taste like the inimitable NOLA classic: king cake. The light brown — and vaguely pink — liqueur has…
Review: Lemonade Stand at Main & Vine Cocktails
Lemonade Stand at Main & Vine is brought to you by The Wine Group, which includes in its hefty wine portfolio familiar brands such as Cupcake Vineyards, Franzia, Chloe, Benziger Family Winery, and of course, Main & Vine. The new ready-to-drink cocktail line bottled under the Lemonade Stand moniker aims to widen the reach of…
Review: Brother’s Bond Cask Strength Bourbon
Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley partnered up to launch Brother’s Bond in 2021, an MGP sourced and blended bourbon. In our review, we found the 2021 release to be a straightforward and harmless pour, one that hints it really preferring to be mixed in cocktails, especially given its 80 proof. The four-grain bourbon is actually…
Recipe: Good Old Pine
It’s summer, folks. And it’s hot. I love a good Gin & Tonic as much as the next person, especially when the temps are rising, but I usually end up spending the warmer months pining for my wintertime staples like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Cocktails like the Good Old Pine are ideal for scratching…
Review: Mile High Spirits Cuidado Imported Tequila Blanco
Colorado’s Mile High Spirits claims to eschew all pretension when making and selling their diverse portfolio of craft spirits. To that end, the distillery really wants its customers to know that their Cuidado Imported Tequila Blanco is no celebrity-backed tequila brand. Just read the label: We’re so sorry. We called everyone we knew but at the…
