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…
Review: 2020 Villa Gemma Colline Teatine and Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo
Villa Gemma is the centerpiece of the Masciarelli empire, making largely affordable, summer-friendly wines like this pair, a 2020 vintage white blend and rose. 2020 Villa Gemma Colline Teatine Bianco – A blend of Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Cocciola, and Chardonnay. This starbright, intensely acidic wine offers a refreshing note of peaches and lemon, muddled with white…
Review: Heaven’s Door Redbreast Master Blenders’ Edition 10 Years Old
One rarely expects creativity from a celebrity branded spirit, but Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door whiskeys continue to surprise and delight. This latest release from the operation involves an innovation I don’t think I’ve ever heard of previously: It starts with Heaven’s Door’s standard 10 year old low-rye bourbon (a sourced Tennessee bourbon), then finishes it…
Review: 2018 Volver Tempranillo Single Vineyard
Bodegas Volver can be found in the La Mancha region of Spain, a dry, central area famed for its, well, windmills. This 100% tempranillo bottling is sourced from a high-altitude single vineyard, Finca Los Juncares, located in the eastern part of the area. It’s an aggressive and high-alcohol wine, punchy with licorice, cloves, and turned…
Review: Murray McDavid Craigellachie 8 Years Old and Ordha Meas 13 Years Old
Independent whisky bottler Murray McDavid began sourcing and bottling Scotch in 1994, earning a reputation for using unique casks to age and finish their whiskies. In the 2000s, the company famously resurrected the Bruichladdich Distillery with the help of Jim McEwan, and after selling the distillery to Remy Cointreau in 2012, they set about concentrating…
Review: Wines of Rodney Strong, Mid-2021 Releases
It’s an overload of new Rodney Strong releases, many representing the brand’s more entry-level offerings. Let’s dig in. 2020 Rodney Strong Rose of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – Boldly acidic, with notes of peaches and strawberries up top, fading to elements of sour plum and a pinch of Christmas spice. There’s only a minor…
Review: Smoke Wagon Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon
Monica already kicked off our exploration of Nevada’s Smoke Wagon bourbons earlier this year with a look at its Small Batch. Today we’re moving up a tier and checking out the Uncut Unfiltered offering, a blend of high rye bourbons rumored to be between 4 and 10 years old, bottled at barrel strength without chill…
Review: 2020 Essay Chenin Blanc
“Essay” is a play on words, as “S.A.” is the abbreviation for South Africa. Hey, this isn’t $200 humor, this is $9 humor. This Chenin Blanc adds in 14% Viognier and 12% Roussanne, giving the finished product a bold character that offers notes of peaches, apricots, and a silky layer of vanilla cream. Lemon and…
