Review: Lost Lantern Summer 2024 Single Cask Releases and More
Vermont-based Lost Lantern first launched their bourbon-focused series Summer of Bourbon in 2023 with a simple message that “great bourbon now comes from all over the United States.” They’re back in 2024 with another exclusive bourbon lineup for the summer (which is also on the heels of this year’s Spring 2024 series featuring whiskeys more…
Review: Alto Canto Tequila High Proof Blanco and Reposado
Alto Canto is a certified organic, additive-free tequila that is distilled at a whopping 9,000 feet. I am familiar with the difference between Lowland and Highland tequila, which is determined by where the Blue Weber agave is sourced, but I was not aware that the altitude of the distillery could impact the flavor. The good…
Review: Tamworth Garden Summer Solstice Gin and Watermelon Flavored Gin
I get excited when I hear Tamworth Garden is releasing a new gin. The distillery, fronted by Steven Grasse, has earned our respect (and a place on our annual top gins list) for consistently producing gins that brilliantly highlight the character of their distinctive botanicals and bring them into harmony. Today we are trying two…
Review: Ventisquero 2019 Vertice and 2019 Obliqua
We’ve visited the wines of Chile’s Ventisquero on many occasions, and today we return to the Colchagua Valley with a look at two recent edition wines from the company. Fun fact: Did you know that Ventisquero Wine0 Estates involves a collaboration between Australian winemaker John Duval and Ventisquero’s head winemaker, Felipe Tosso? This year they…
Review: Col. E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Rye
The first addition to the Col. E.H. Taylor line in two years takes the brand back to rye, a product we haven’t seen from Taylor since its inaugural rye release in 2012. With this expression, Taylor pushes the abv to a whopping 63%. The mashbill is presumably the same as standard Taylor Rye — exclusively…
Book Review: Spirits Distilled
For generations, consumers didn’t put much thought or concern into the ingredients of food and beverage. It’s only been relatively recently that consumers have taken a real interest in what makes up our culinary experiences. In generations past, imbibers didn’t care to know every minute detail of how their favorite brandy or whiskey was produced.…
Four Seasons’ Philipp Blaser on Why Hotel Bars Are the New Cool
You may not know his name, but Philipp Blaser is the man behind a bar or restaurant at which you’ve probably spent quite a bit of time. As Global Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Blaser is in charge of over 600 bars and restaurants across 130 hotel…
Review: Flora Springs 2023 Soliloquy and 2021 Trilogy
Flora Springs may be an old school label — its been around for 45 years — but don’t say this brand can’t learn new tricks. Flora Springs began what it describes as an “evolution” in 2019, selling off its old buildings and transitioning to a smaller winery with a more focused approach to winemaking. With…
