Review: 818 Tequila – Blanco and Reposado
Kendall Jenner’s ownership of 818 Tequila is an understandable turnoff for many drinkers and a sign that celebriquila has finally reached a tipping point… or so I thought, at least, until 818 started winning a bunch of awards, including the top spot in a blind tasting of celebrity-owned tequilas (which, admittedly, may not be the…
Review: Lunar Hard Seltzer, Heritage Line Sunset Editions
Drinkhacker dove into Lunar’s original core line last year with a nod of approval. Recently the brand has partnered with high-profile NYC area Asian-owned restaurants for a limited series “Sunset Edition” of its Heritage Line, this time aiming to bring “the warm, bustling yet relaxing Asian beachside market to New York City with this lineup…
Review: 6 Shochus of Honkaku Spirits
Christopher Pellegrini is trying to do for Japanese shochu what Ron Cooper did with mezcal. The American ex-pat and author of The Shochu Handbook is seeking to “connect the world with artisanal, koji-fermented spirits of Japan.” Honkaku’s portfolio includes koji whiskey, shochu, and aged awamori from 22 family-run distilleries established between 1745 and 1947. We received…
Review: Tequila Codigo 1530 Rosa Reposado George Strait Edition and Mezcal Codigo 1530 Artesanal
The George Strait-owned Tequila Codigo is back with two new expressions, a “rosa” reposado rested for 3 months in uncharred Napa Valley Cabernet French White Oak wine barrels (then finished in sherry casks), and a mezcal. Let’s give them both a try. Tequila Codigo 1530 Rosa Reposado George Strait Edition – The light pink color…
Review: Samuel Maverick Barrel Proof Bourbon
Sam Maverick Spirits in San Antonio isn’t a brand I was familiar with before this, but we’re diving right in with its limited edition barrel proof bourbon. Some details, courtesy of the distillery: Maverick Whiskey’s limited-edition Samuel Maverick Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a Certified Texas Whiskey, has the gusto to make any dad happy.…
Review: Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whiskey
Fuji is a storied distillery that earns its name for a distinctly relevant reason: It’s the closest distillery to Japan’s Mt. Fuji, mere miles away from the base of the iconic peak. Fuji Single Grain Whiskey is a blend of three different grain whiskeys produced at the distillery. Per the distillery, “those different grain whiskeys…
Review: Baird / Ishii / Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA
The second release in Stone’s Fan Favorites series is this expression, first brewed in 2011. Baird / Ishii / Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA is a collaboration between Stone and Bryan Baird of Japan’s Baird’s Brewing and Toshi Ishii of Ishii Brewing in Guam. It’s a fairly simple recipe, made with Warrior, Crystal, Helga, Aramis, and…
Review: Pendleton Canadian Whisky – Original, Midnight, and Rye 12 Years Old (2022)
Oregon’s Hood River Distillers has been cranking out Pendleton Canadian whisky for longer than Drinkhacker has been around, dropping additional expressions over the years, most of which we’ve reviewed at some time or another. Today we take a retrospective look back at the three most available whiskies of the four-expression permanent lineup, all but the…
