Review: Ron del Barrilito Rum 3 Stars
Ron del Barrilito is a Puerto Rican rum brand with a long history that dates back to 1880 and the Fernandez family, which would serve their house rum to guests from little barrels (“barrilito” in Spanish). For nearly a century, the rum has been available as a 2 Estrellas (Stars) and older 3 Estrellas offering,…
Busting Myths One Pour At a Time: The New York Irish Whiskey Festival Returns After Two-Year Hiatus
Among North American audiences, Irish whiskey is poised for a moment in the sun. The fast-growing category’s U.S. sales were up over 16% in 2021, and by some estimates, the spirit could overtake Scotch’s stateside footprint within the next decade. As with most boozy trends, event organizers have taken note, their progress only temporarily slowed…
Review: Goslings Black Seal 151 Proof
Bermuda’s Goslings Rum has become a staple in lots of watering holes, both waterside and landlocked, over its 200-plus year history. There’s the bartender friendly flagship, Black Seal, that comprises, as a rule, the base of the classic (and trademarked) Dark N’ Stormy cocktail (along with their own brand of exceptional ginger beer, if you can…
Review: Timah Double Peated Blended Whiskey
One does not spend any amount of time with Timah — “Malaysia’s Best Award-Winning Whiskey” and the only Malaysian whiskey I’ve ever tried — without going full Timmy! for at least a moment. My understanding is this is really pronounced tee-mah, but, you know, the juvenile mind is strong. For those curious: The name “Timah” is…
Review: Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur
It looks like, what? Cantaloupe puree? A glass of POG? It’s really hard to say: Thick, cloudy, and a ruddy shade of orange, but what it is is Chinola (chee-noh-lah) — not a juice but a liqueur, branded based on the name given to the passion fruit in the Dominican Republic. Chinola hit the market…
Review: Teeling Blackpitts Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Blackpitts is a section of Dublin just behind Teeling’s new distillery in the Liberties, and it’s the namesake for a unique and evocative whiskey that will challenge many expectations of what Irish whiskey should taste like. The triple-distilled single malt is made with peated barley — reportedly the only peated whiskey being made in the…
Review: Wines of CK Mondavi, Spring 2022 Releases
Spring means the arrival of idle, easygoing moments that are lighter in fare and this trio of wines from CK Mondavi is no exception. Those enduring the soul-crushing chokehold of inflation on their bank accounts may find this a bit more suitable to their liking than something retailing at higher price points. Also, of note:…
Review: Sweetens Cove Kennessee Bourbon
On the back label for their newest release, Sweetens Cove asks: “Did we just become best friends?” That question seems intended for any number of recipients including, most obviously, consumers, but also the rival whiskey-producing states from which these bourbons are sourced and perhaps even to Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly fans (Google it).…
