Review: 2019 J Vineyards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
J’s Russian River pinot noir remains a workhorse of the style in this 2019 vintage: Agreeable, somewhat beefy, and layered with notes of black cherry and a pinch of spice. There’s less overt fruit here than in previous expressions, with notes of tea leaf and cola building toward the relatively gentle finish. Hints of pencil…
Review: Jura 12 Years Old
Did you know that as of 2020, Jura was the fastest growing single malt brand in the U.S.? Neither did I, and I’ll savor that morsel of trivia while sipping on the brand’s newest expression, a 12 year old offering that fits in the lower-middle spot alongside Jura’s 10 year old, Seven Wood, and 18…
Drinkhacker’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide – Best Alcohol/Spirits for Christmas
Ready for Christmas? Ready for Christmas 2023, maybe? Our long day’s journey into night may have continued unabated this year, but we’re hopeful you’ve at least found some ability to get out of the house, maybe take a trip, and reconnect with friends and family this season. Naturally, you’re still not going to be able…
Review: 2018 Hook or Crook Field Blend and Zinfandel
Hook or Crook is a “quiet little winery” in California’s Lodi region, where it produces a range of wines typical to the area — think zinfandel plus the usual Cali suspects — all at extremely reasonable prices. We received a pair of recent bottlings for review. 2018 Hook or Crook Cellars Field Blend Red Wine…
Review: East Brother Double IPA
East Brother’s latest is a big fat double IPA, clocking in at 8% alcohol and loaded with Simcoe and Azaaca hops. It’s hugely creamy but surprisingly a little bit sour, a mango-laced body countered by notes of grapefruit peel, piney hops, and a touch of white wine vinegar. Some baking spice gives the finish a…
Review: Bird of Courage Roasted Turkey Flavored Whiskey
Tamworth Distilling, New Hampshire’s strangest distillery and the outfit responsible for such oddities as Deerslayer Venison Flavored Whiskey, turns in another unusual non-vegan whiskey release, House of Tamworth Bird of Courage. Per the company, “The roasted turkey flavored whiskey is limited-edition and birthed from a barrel of 5-year-old Bottled in Bond bourbon steeped with a…
Review: 2021 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau and Nouveau Rose
It’s been years since I’ve tasted a Beaujolais Nouveau, a wine famous for being the first wine released of every vintage year, bottled weeks after the harvest and released on the third Thursday of each November. (Tradition states that these wines should be consumed before the end of the year.) Years ago, the folks that…
Review: Nutrl Vodka Seltzers, Complete Lineup
Nutrl is a new line of ready-to-drink vodka seltzers flavored with real fruit juice, launched by Anheuser-Busch. There’s nothing particularly unique about the product line, but Nutrl is hoping to win over fans by offering these “unpretentious and uncomplicated,” refreshing, sessionable, low-calorie (100 calories per can), low-alcohol drinks, made with just vodka, seltzer, and real…
