Review: 2017 Les Cadrans de Lassegue Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
The 2017 of this affordable Bordeaux is a dramatic step up from the 2012 vintage, the last expression we saw of this wine. The second label of Lassegue, its damp, earthy character remains intense, but it finds balance in notes of brambly blackberry, semi-sweet licorice candy, and milk chocolate notes on the finish. The vegetal…
Review: Armagnacs of Castarede, 2021 Releases
Castarede isn’t a household name in the U.S., but it actually lays claim to being the oldest Armagnac in existence, dating back to 1832. The house makes the full range of standard expressions, from blanche to XO, as well as various reserve bottlings and single vintage expressions of its spirits — the oldest dating back…
Review: Wines of Famiglia Pasqua, 2021 Releases
We’ve spent time with the Veneto-based Famiglia Pasqua in the past, and for 2021 we have a lineup of four new releases, representing a range of varietals and styles. Let’s dig in. 2020 Famiglia Pasqua Prosecco Rose Extra Dry DOC – The only miss in this collection, and it’s a minor one. A rather doughy,…
Review: Dry Gin XII
Distilled in Provence, France, Dry Gin XII is the latest addition to the portfolio of Distilleries et Domaines de Provence, reputable for its absinthes, liqueurs, and a pretty tasty peach wine (Rinquinquin). Twelve (hence the Roman numeration) plants and spices are used: juniper, coriander, sweet almond, thyme, angelica, grains of paradise, iris, cardamom, basil, rosemary,…
Review: Bushwick Kitchen Trees Knees Bourbon Maple
Bushwick Kitchen can be found not in New York but in Washington, D.C. The company’s maple tree farm can be found in the Catskill Mountains of upstate NY, however. For this release, its syrup is aged in charred American oak bourbon barrels before bottling. It’s a dense and cola-colored product, toasty on the nose with…
Review: Michter’s Single Barrel Straight Bourbon 10 Years Old and US-1 Barrel Strength Straight Rye 2021
Michter’s releases have been few and far between since the pandemic began, but now we’ve finally got our mitts on a pair of new releases, including Michter’s highly prized 10 year old single barrel bourbon and the 2021 release of its US-1 barrel strength rye. Looks like you’re getting into a lot of overproof whiskey…
Review: 10 Barrel Brewing Pilsner and Real Good Summer Ale
Bend, Oregon-based 10 Barrel Brewing has plenty of refreshing beers available for summer sipping, including this pair, which are as straightforward as they come. 10 Barrel Brewing Pilsner – Crisp and clean, there’s no mistaking what you’re getting with this dry, refreshing pilsner — cracker dry, lightly malty, and touched with notes of fragrant yeast.…
Review: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B521 (May 2021)
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release #2 for 2021 is here, coded B521, and while it’s the typical 12 years of age, it’s unusual in that it’s the lowest proof release of the spirit in nearly two dozen of these special editions. At a “mere” 59.1% abv, are consumers getting robbed? Let’s find out. You wouldn’t…
