Review: NV Nyetimber Classic Cuvee
Pop quiz: What’s one of the hot up and coming wine regions today? England! You can thank climate change for that. Nyetimber is actually the first producer of English sparkling wine — with wineries in West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent — to exclusively grow the three grape varieties used for Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and…
Book Review: Whisky Glory Taster’s Guide Volume #1: Tall Tales & True Stories, A Dewar’s Review Compendium
Mark Garbin’s first kindle release, Whisky and Romance Manhattan – A Rare Neighborhood Guide to New York Bars & Restaurants: Thirty-Two Fantastic Whisky Palaces to Gaze, Cuddle and Drink Includes the Sexiest Bar In Manhattan, flew under my radar because I am not actively seeking cuddling spots or bars in Manhattan. On the upside: I…
Review: Milam & Greene The Castle Hill Series Batch 1
Texas upstart Milam & Greene continues to tear it up in the craft distillery world, its recent Port-finished rye being highly worth checking out, the operation releasing both sourced whiskeys and its own distillate (produced under the eye of master distiller Marlene Holmes) — sometimes with both types of whiskey blended together with aplomb by…
Book Review: The Japanese Art of the Cocktail
Here’s a totally unsubstantiated hot take but one which seems to ring with clarity: when it comes to spirits, Japan remains light years ahead of the rest of the world. The overall quality, presentation, knowledge, craftsmanship, and level of expertise are second to none. One needs to look no further than a continuous onslaught of…
Review: Lunar Hard Seltzers – Plum, Yuzu, and Lychee
For the most part, hard seltzer flavors have stayed rather predictable, not venturing terribly far from the staples of citrus (orange, lemon, grapefruit) and berries (raspberry, blackberry, even elderberry has become standard). For companies looking to jump on the ready-to-drink bandwagon sooner than later, it would make sense to capture an ever-growing market with tried…
Review: Foursquare Probitas and Mark XIII 2008 Single Blended Rum
Rum has undergone something of a resurgence in the last decade, and while it still pales in comparison to the whiskey boom, there are lots of unique and interesting brands finding more and more markets and winning more and more fans. One of the distilleries responsible for the growing excitement around rum is Foursquare in…
Original Recipe: Push Pop Sour
It’s hot out now, which means that it’s unfortunately time for the obligatory slushy and sweet concoctions of summer. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good daiquiri or mojito, even the occasional overly creamy pina colada, but I’ve never gotten thrilled by a frozen anything when it came to my cocktails. I decided there…
Review: 2018 WillaKenzie Chardonnay Willamette Valley
This moderately oaked Oregon chardonnay is decidedly dry, brisk with initial notes of dried grasses, lemon peel, and a sizable melon component. It’s a bit flat on the palate, with notes of gooseberry and more lemon peel, leading the way to an oddball conclusion that evokes licorice, a touch of dry leather, and a hint…
