Recipe: Teatro
Tequila cocktails don’t always have to be summery or fruity affairs. It’s easy to relegate the agave-based booze to poolside margaritas, but there’s a world of possibilities out there for what is actually a very versatile spirit. Case in point: the Teatro. It’s a riff on the gin-based Bijou, crafted by Sother Teague for the…
Review: Patron Anejo Tequila Sherry Cask Aged
Alternatively known as Patron Cask Collection Sherry Cask Añejo, this special edition of Patron Tequila is unique in that it spends its two-plus years of aging in oloroso sherry bottles. No finishing here; it’s sherry all the way. The sherry gives the tequila a brightly vivid orange hue, and its aromatic on the nose as…
Spirits Trends for 2022: An Interview with Moët Hennessy’s Allison Varone
2022 is shaping up to be an unusual year for the spirits industry. “Learn to live with the pandemic” has become a frequent, optimistic refrain, but what does it mean for an industry that saw many of its customers completely change their drinking habits over the last two years? Never mind the welcome return to…
Review: 2007 Chateau de Lacquy Single Cask, Single Varietal Armagnac
Armagnac is commonly made from a blend of grapes — four are commonly used, but 10 are approved. What does each varietal add to the blend? To explain, Chateau de Lacquy has created a range of single cask Armagnacs, each made with a single varietal of grape. These three bottlings all hail from the 2007…
Review: 3 Affordable Spanish Reds, 2022 Releases
The wines of Spain can be ultra-luxe, but most of the time you’ll find amazing values from this warm region, known for its aggressive reds. Today we look at a trio of wines from España for your springtime enjoyment. 2018 Clos de Nit Montsant – Montsant is the region surrounding Priorat. A blend of 40%…
Review: Solento Tequila, Blanco and Reposado
Solento is a new brand of organic tequila, made from agave grown at a single estate in Amatitán, Jalisco, in the Lowlands of the region. Packaged in striking rectangular decanters, they’re statement bottles… with statement prices. We received two of the three expressions, a blanco and a reposado, for review. So let’s dig in. Both…
Review: 2018 Hess Select North Coast and Lion Tamer Cabernet Sauvignon
The brand formerly known as The Hess Collection — now officially Hess Persson Estates — will be familiar to most readers, but many don’t realize that the brand bottles wine under a number of different labels. In fact, “The Hess Collection” no longer appears on either of the bottlings reviewed below, which includes a look…
Review: Blue Run Golden Rye and High Rye Bourbon 4 Years Old
Blue Run hit the scene with a splash in 2020, a collaboration between Jim Rutledge, the famed former master distiller at Four Roses, and Nike brand designer Devon McKinney. Since then, a smattering of whiskeys have been released by the brand, but they’ve all had a catch: All were sourced, none had any of Rutledge’s real…
