Review: 2020 Ryder Estate Pinot Noir Rose Central Coast
Ryder Estate is part of the Scheid Vineyards family. While it makes a variety of wines in California’s Central Coast, it’s arguably best known for its rose of pinot noir, which we review here. The wine is fresh, with a strong floral element that cuts through the nose: roses and carnations, cut with cotton candy…
Review: Nickel Dime Cocktail Syrups, Complete Lineup
Nickel Dime is based in Oakland, California, where it makes a collection of four cocktail syrups designed for home cocktailing. Created by bartender Jared Hirsch and entrepreneur Absinthia Vermut, the four-pack’s centerpiece is called Caged Heat, one of Hirsch’s most well-known cocktails. The syrups are made from natural ingredients. Consumers are directed to mix 1…
The Best Apricot Liqueur Roundup – 6 Brands Tasted, 2 Winners
Apricot is a tricky flavor to work with, but if you’re exploring classic cocktails, you’ll find apricot brandy or liqueur a component in dozens of recipes. When recipes call for apricot, they often call for plenty of it. The PDT Cocktail Book offers a recipe for an Apricot Flip which includes a healthy 3/4 oz…
Review: 2020 Castello del Terriccio Con Vento IGT
Con Vento is an Italian sauvignon blanc, and this expression veers heavily toward the more floral elements of the wine. Notes of white flowers and a brisk mineral note lead to a bold element of sultry, earthy clover honey. Well balanced between its various elements, it finishes with a lively pop of peaches. A- /…
Review: Spiked Cherries – Original and Balls of Fire
It’s time for more late-arriving cocktail cherries, these another rare entry into the booze-infused variety, jarred under the straightforward name of Spiked Cherries. (Technically these are “Howie’s Spiked Cherries,” but Howie’s does not appear on the label.) Both are bright, dyed-red maraschino-style cherries which come in 355ml jars. Refrigerate after opening. Let’s give both a taste.…
Review: The Deerslayer Venison Flavored Whiskey
New Hampshire’s Tamworth Distilling specializes in uncommon oddities. We previously covered its Graverobber Rye, flavored with maple syrup drawn from trees grown adjacent to a graveyard. We missed out, however, on its corpse flower brandy as well as its whiskey flavored with beaver musk. A recent arrival at Drinkhacker HQ however was Tamworth’s Deerslayer (aka…
Review: 2019 Serego Alighieri Possessioni IGT
This blend of 75% garganega and 25% sauvignon blanc from the Veneto region of Italy is very pale and quite dry, loaded with mineral-driven acidity up front, with a quick segue into notes of lemon and green apple. Quite tart but vibrant with lingering citrus notes, it’s a cleansing style wine that hints at florals…
Review: Hallmark Christmas Wines: 2018 “Jingle” and 2019 “Joy”
Something happened to my brain during the lockdown phase of this pandemic. Like most people, I grew depressed and a bit anxious. I was let go at my full-time place of employment, and was burning through single malt samples in an attempt to calm myself and have a little bit of enjoyment during what has…
