Review: Thrasher’s Coconut Rum (2021)
Washington, DC-based Thrasher’s makes four different expressions at present, all from an equal blend of blackstrap molasses and raw turbinado sugar and distilled in a pot still. Today we look at the coconut rum, which is not directly flavored with syrups or other ingredients but rather infused with toasted coconut in a botanical basket, similar…
Review: Ardbeg Scorch
Ardbeg’s latest Committee Release is Scorch, a bottling made by aging the whiskey in ultra-charred “alligator” casks (all ex-bourbon barrels). No age statement, which is typical. Reviewed here is the cask strength Committee Edition of the release; the Standard Edition is bottled at the usual 92 proof. From the nose, the name seems fully apt.…
Review: Four Portuguese Wines from Quinta do Ameal and Quinta dos Murcas, 2021 Releases
José Luis Moreira da Silva — familiarly known as “Zé Luis” — is the colorful winemaker behind two Portuguese brands, one made in the northern Vinho Verde region, one hailing from the southern Alentejo. On a recent Zoom tasting, Ze Luis walked us through the vastly different terroir and winemaking processes involved with these four…
Review: Frankly Organic Vodka, Complete Lineup
Frankly is a new vodka brand from Texas, including a straight vodka and four flavors. It starts with a base of organic corn distillate, base, five-times distilled; organic fruits, roots, and botanicals are used for the flavored expressions. They’re primarily available as a five-pack of minis — link below if you want to purchase it…
Review: NB Gin – London Dry and Navy Strength
The NB stands for North Berwick, a town on the east coast of Scotland where this distillery is based, adding to the distinguished list of Scottish gin makers like Caorunn, Arbikie, and Crossbill. The company started off with distilling experiments in a home kitchen and now produces a range of gins, rums, and a vodka……
Review: 2020 Ponga Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
A classic budget-friendly NZ sauvignon blanc — iconically classic, really — this has every hallmark that Marlborough is known for. Overripe pineapple? Check. Edge of fresh-cut grass? Check. Modest ammonia note? Check. There’s a load of sweetness to go along with all of this, tempering any hints of herbaceousness and percolating a touch of coconut…
Review: Calumet Farm Bourbon 15 Years Old Single Rack Black
There isn’t much information on Three Springs Bottling Company, based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, although they have been strategically releasing “tribute” bourbons that have been steadily garnering attention. We recently reviewed their Sam Houston 15 Years Old here at Drinkhacker, which was “offered in tribute” to the legacy of Sam Houston. We take a look…
Review: 2020 Schug Carneros Estate White Pinot Noir
White pinot noir is an uncommon wine variety, but actually, any red grape can be used to create a white wine by excluding the skins from the fermentation process, which is how all red color makes it into the wine. This is why champagne can include pinot noir yet appear pale in hue. Schug’s White…
