Review: Nikka Coffey Gin
We’ve reviewed a number of Nikka’s whiskies to date, but are just now coming around to their gin, which they introduced in 2017. As with the Japanese distillery’s Coffey Malt and Coffey Grain whiskies, the Coffey Gin draws its name from the Coffey (column) still used instead of a pot still. Nikka’s gin is different…
Review: 2019 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
You won’t find a more perfumed sauvignon blanc than this Russian River bottling from all-star Merry Edwards. Bursting with notes of honeysuckle, wildflowers, and cantaloupe, the wine opens up to a gentle, almond-dusted sweetness, loaded with notes of passion fruit and tangerine. It’s never short of easy-drinking and delightful, though the outsized alcohol level (14%)…
Review: Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch A121 (January 2021) and B521 (May 2021)
It’s hard keeping track of the roughly quarterly barrel proof releases of Heaven Hill’s Elijah Craig and Larceny bourbons, so this time out we’re giving you a two-fer of Larceny looks, including the A121 and B521 releases. As a reminder, these wheated bourbon releases are always drawn and blended from a mix of barrels aged…
Review: NV G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Rose
Mumm’s special occasion rose — complete with avant garde bottle — has all the hallmarks one expects from rose Champagne: fresh florals, strawberry, and a healthy biscuit character that adds an ample, yeasty note to the affair. Lightly spicy on the back end but effervescent and refreshing, a cracker-crisp note on the conclusion tries its…
Review: Amrut Old Port Deluxe Rum and Two Indies Rum
Amrut is best known in the U.S. for its whisky, which is famously hyper-aged in the hot and humid Indian climate. In addition to whisky, however, Amrut is also quite the rum producer. In fact, they are the 7th largest rum brand in the world. During our conversation with Assistant Distiller Ashok Chokalingam back in…
Review: A.G. Perino Vermouth – Dry and Sweet
Here’s a new brand of vermouths, made in Washington and designed with affordability in mind. A.G. Perino uses premium wines and natural flavors to produce a vermouth in classic Italian style. “While A.G. Perino is perfect in classic cocktails such as a Negroni or Manhattan, it was also designed to be outstanding simply on the…
Review: Catoctin Creek Ragnarok Rye
In perhaps the least likely of collaborations ever, Catoctin Creek Distilling has teamed up with the heaviest of heavy metal bands GWAR to make a new “intergalactic sipping whiskey” called Ragnarök Rye. 200 cases of the whiskey are being produced (the first batch sold out immediately at Seelbachs.com; more is on the way), each with…
Review: Cutwater Mezcal
Cutwater is an unusual company. We’ve favorably reviewed some of their whiskey products, and (along with everyone else in the spirits world) they recently brought out some canned cocktails, which were fairly well-received. Despite the fact that they’re based in San Diego, and do distil their own spirits, they’ve also released a tequila and now…
