Review: Copperworks Single Malts – Maltsmith, Farmsmith, and Peatsmith (2024)
Copperworks Distilling in Seattle has been at the forefront of American single malt as a charter member of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC). While most American distilleries offer a flagship whiskey, Copperworks has historically taken the approach of each release being unique, limited editions. In July 2024, Copperworks changed all that with its…
Review: Vale do Bomfim 2022 White and 2020 Red
Bomfim is part of Portugal’s Dow group — known for its Port wines — which in turn is part of the sprawling Symington family. Unlike its better-known brands, Vale do Bomfim focuses exclusively on table wines — and affordable ones at that. Here’s a look at the latest blends from the operation, one white and…
Review: Bunnahabhain Feis Ile 2024 Triple Sherry Wood Finish 23 Years Old
To mark Feis Ile — Islay’s annual whisky festival — many of the island’s top Scotch producers release commemorative expressions. It’s a time when local distilleries often pull out the stops for (or at least have quite a bit of fun with) super-premium bottlings. In 2024, Bunnahabhain — Islay’s northernmost distillery — bottled two new…
Review: Free AF Canned Non-Alcoholic Cocktails and Wine
“Free AF?” We don’t have to tell you what AF stands for in today’s hip lingo: Why, it’s alcohol-free, of course. Free AF, based in New Zealand and expanding now in the U.S., is built around non-alcoholic canned wines and cocktails, all made with its propriety alcohol substitute called Afterglow, “a 100% natural botanical extract…
Review: Nelson Bros. Whiskey Honey Cask Finish 2024
Say “honey” and I’m listening, whether we’re talking about breakfast or dessert. Or whiskey… as Nashville’s Nelson Brothers are the latest to take us into the world of honey as a finishing vessel for bourbon. Nelson Bros. Honey Cask starts with the company’s cask-strength Nelson Bros. Reserve Bourbon — a blend of sourced stock from…
Book Review: The Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey history is simply history. Due to lingering Prohibitionist sentiments, we don’t learn much about the role that alcohol has played in American and world history, but the history still exists. In 1791, the fledgling United States of America was still trying to establish an identity and was ripe with debt accrued from the Revolutionary…
Review: Russell’s Reserve Bourbon 15 Years Old 2024
The It Bourbon of the summer has quickly revealed itself as this new release from Wild Turkey’s Russell’s Reserve line, the oldest age-stated release that the brand has ever put out. The date on the label implies that there will be future releases of this spirit, likely annually. There’s nothing particularly crazy to discuss regarding…
Review: 2021 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Chris’s Cuvee
The Chris in question is Chris Kenefick, the winemaker at Kenefick Ranch. His 2021 cab-heavy blend is composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, and 6% Cabernet Franc — a heady recipe, to be sure. The wine is aged in new French oak for 18 months before bottling. Let’s give it a try. A…
