Review: Maker’s Mark FAE-02 2021 Limited Release
Maker’s Mark’s FAE-01 release, which arrived this spring, was always envisioned as the first of a two-part series. Now FAE-02 is here to complete the duo. Note that FAE-02 is a somewhat different animal than its forebear because, while it’s made with same “fatty acid esters” enhancement process, the staves used are made from French…
Review: Tyku Sake – Junmai and Junmai Ginjo (2021)
It’s been seven years since we last reviewed Tyku’s (no longer Ty Ku) line of sake, and it’s high time for a refresh. Tyku, made by Nara prefecture’s Umenoyada Brewery, is one of the largest and easiest to find brands of premium-grade sake in the United States. While Umenoyada is well known for their sweet…
Review: Daviess County Bourbon Double Barrel Finish
Last year, we gave you a comprehensive rundown on the core Daviess County whiskey portfolio, an impressive collection of straight bourbons from Lux Row Distillers (now owned by MGP, for those keeping tabs on those kinds of things). Last month, Daviess County added to the lineup with this limited edition, another finished expression dubbed Double…
Review: Ron Rubin 2020 Pam’s Un-Oaked Chardonnay and 2018 Pinot Noir
Located in Sebastopol, California, the Ron Rubin winery is Certified Sustainable and devoted to producing widely available and enjoyable wines at a reasonable price. Today we’re trying two wines that we’ve tried before, an unoaked Chardonnay bottled under the Pam’s label and a Pinot Noir. Let’s see how the newer vintages stand up. 2020 Pam’s…
Review: New Riff Malted Rye 6 Years Old
The hits keep coming from the maniacs at Kentucky’s New Riff, which for its next trick has dropped the oldest age-statemented whiskey in its lineup to date, a 6 year old bottling made from 100% malted rye. Malted rye is uncommon but not unheard of in whiskey these days. Making it essentially follows the same…
Review: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2019 Karia and 2018 Artemis
Two new bottles hot off the press at Napa’s Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars — comprising the two most iconic California grape varietals there are. 2019 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay Napa Valley – Classically styled and somewhat doughy, this wine combines bright notes of applesauce and lemon curd with a layer of baking spice…
Tasting Report: Whiskies of the World Expo San Francisco 2021
One of the staff asked me what the biggest surprise was at this year’s Whiskies of the World San Francisco. “That it was actually happening” was my response. WotW marked the first time in nearly two years that I’d attended a spirits event of any substance, and while it was wonderful to stroll the booths…
Review: Beers of Sierra Nevada, (Core) 2021 Releases
Sierra Nevada is one of the most notable and long-lived craft distilleries in the country, having grown from humble beginnings in Chico, California to the third-largest independent distillery in the country. Our coverage of the brewery has been spotty over the years. With this review we delve into most of the core lineup, going all…
