Review: Stagg Jr. Bourbon Batch #15 (2020)
We finally revisited Stagg Jr. last year after a long hiatus. Looking back, I guess it’s surprising that it took so long for a younger George T. Stagg bourbon to gain collectible, cult status, but now the obsession with this bottle is making it even hard for us to find a sample. Luckily, I secured…
Review: Tattersall Rye, Amaro, and Fernet
Minneapolis-based Tattersall produces a monstrous line of craft spirits — all of which is produced in house from grains and other produce (apples, berries, etc.) from Minnesota and nearby states. The operation recently sent us three of its offerings for review, including a rye whiskey and two bitter liqueurs. Let’s dig in. Tattersall Straight Rye…
Review: Bombay Sapphire Gin & Tonic Cocktails (Canned)
Canned gin & tonic is on the rise, and many of them are surprisingly solid in quality. While we’ve been worried that the new trend toward ready-to-drink cocktails would result in gin & tonics that were overly-sweet sugar bubbles with booze, instead, most canned gin & tonics have tended to respect both the gin, with…
Review: Gary Farrell 2018 Chardonnay and 2017 Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Selections
These two new Gary Farrell releases are both single-vineyard offerings from Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. Let’s give them a look. 2018 Gary Farrell Chardonnay Russian River Valley Olivet Lane Vineyard – A creamy but fruit-focused chardonnay, all vanilla custard up top, with layers of pineapple, lemon, green apple, and quince emerging in short order. A…
Review: Lagavulin 11 Years Old Offerman Edition Finished in Guinness Casks 2021
Nick Offerman, a self-professed “theater actor from Illinois and woodworker” is unreserved in his admission that his work with Lagavulin is pure happenstance. The Parks and Recreation character Ron Swanson was the entree to this famed Islay Scotch brand, and as Swanson’s love of Lagavulin grew, so did Offerman’s. Offerman isn’t a whisky expert, as he explained…
Review: Confidence Beverage
The thought of someone slamming back a drink or two for a quick hit of confidence is not a new idea. Now there’s a new drink in town that aims to do just that — but without the buzz from either caffeine or alcohol. Confidence Drink, a new beverage company, has launched Confidence (aka Confidence…
Review: Head High 2020 Chardonnay and 2019 Pinot Noir
Head High Wines is a new offshoot label from Bill Price of Price Family Vineyards, best known for his ownership of the Three Sticks brand. (Though note, this is not a second label from Three Sticks and is a wholly separate project.) The budget-focused brand takes its name from surfing slang, where “head high” refers…
The Best Chocolate Liqueur Roundup – 10 Bottles Tasted, 2 Winners
Chocolate is the most iconic of desserts, yet it’s widely maligned when it comes to cocktails. The chocolate martini? Is that a serious cocktail that anyone would drink outside of a bachelorette party or while enjoying a cover band on a cruise ship? Hey, it’s time to put aside prejudices and embrace the power of…
