Review: Bati White Rum and Ratu Signature Rum
Bati and Ratu are two rums — both from very large collections — which Rum Co. of Fiji has been producing in Lautoka since 1980. We received two bottlings of its 10 total expressions from the Bati and Ratu brands, but which are representative of its overall production. Let’s dig in. Bati White Rum –…
Review: Stoll & Wolfe Keystone Rosen Rye Whiskey 2 Years Old
Back in 2020 we got a first look at Stoll & Wolfe’s Rosen Rye — as an unreleased white whiskey made from Pennsylvania-grown heritage rye of the rosen variety. Now that whiskey has spent two years in the barrel and is finally available, albeit only as a 100-bottle ultra-limited release that’s surely sold out by…
Review: Drake’s Organic Boxtails, Complete Lineup
Here’s a new concept in the RTD space: A massive box of margaritas or mojitos that you can tap into any time. Drake’s Organic Boxtails are 1.75 liters of shelf stable cocktails that have no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. They are very convenient because they don’t need to be refrigerated. Instead, they are meant…
Review: Torabhaig Allt Gleann – The Legacy Series 2nd Edition
Last summer, we took our first look at a single malt from Torabhaig Distillery, the first new distillery on the Isle of Skye in almost two centuries. That initial dram, Legacy 1, showed considerable promise, especially given its relative youth at just four years of age. According to the distillery, there will be three additional…
Review: 2021 The Better Half Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more iconic example of Marlborough sauvignon blanc than this kiwi offering, which is light and sweet and full of notes both tropical and floral. Crisp with acidity but balanced by an ample fruit character — or perhaps the other way around — the wine eventually reveals that light touch…
The Top 10 Wines for Summer 2022
Who’s ready for a nice glass of wine to ease their way out of winter — and the pandemic — and into warmer, more inviting months? As we fitfully wind our way into summer, we’re taking a look back at the past 6 months of wine reviews to highlight our favorite, warmer weather-friendly releases to…
Review: Wines of Kivelstadt Cellars KC Labs, 2022 Releases
Kivelstadt Cellars can be found in Sonoma, where it has a focus on carbonically macerated wines, bottled under the “KC Labs” label. Carbonic maceration involves a type of fermentation in which oxygen is removed from the sealed tank and replaced with carbon dioxide. This launches a type of fermentation that leads to lighter style wines…
Review: Tequila Gran Diamante, Complete Lineup
Tequila Gran Diamante is a new brand out of Jalisco (by way of Southern California), using Highlands agave to make a full line of three tequilas which are bottled in some of the most over-the-top decanters I’ve encountered in years. While these bottles trickle into bars and retail, we received samples of the complete lineup…
