Review: Straightaway Cocktails, Complete Lineup (2021)
Straightaway Cocktails, from Portland, Oregon, is a newcomer to the ready-to-drink space. While they have been around only since the end of 2018, Straightaway has rapidly expanded with three product lines currently offered. While Accompani amaro and Spritz flavored wine spritzers deserve their own write-ups, today we’ll focus on the core collection of six bottled…
Review: 2019 Eisacktaler Kellerei Cantina Valle Isarco Kerner Alto Adige
Eisacktaler Kellerei’s 2019 bottling of kerner features a crisp lemon backbone and some bright salinity, backed up by a fresh bouquet of flowers and a gentle layering of fresh herbs — rosemary, thyme, maybe some oregano — all of which works delightfully well together. This is on one hand a delicious throw-it-back porch pounder wine,…
Review: Catoctin Creek “Life’s a Peach” Barrel Select Rye Whisky
Catoctin Creek‘s latest special edition rye is “Life’s a Peach,” a highly limited expression (547 bottles produced) of its 100% Virginia rye whiskey that is finished for one year in Short Hill Mountain Peach Brandy barrels. It’s the first time Catoctin — which is known for unusual special editions and weird finishes like this one…
Review: Lejana Y Sola Mezcal Joven
Lejana Y Sola (“afar and alone”) is a sister brand of PaQui Tequila, which we reviewed when it was first released a whopping 11 years ago. This joven mezcal is an “ensemble” made from espadin and cuishe and is made in Lachila, Oaxaca via traditional methods that include the use of a horse-drawn tahona to…
Review: Tanqueray Gin & Tonic (Canned)
With all of the ready-to-drink cocktails that have been coming out lately, it is surprising that it took so long for the classic gin and tonic to appear (though perhaps that’s because this is literally the easiest cocktail in the world to make). Now they are starting to arrive, and today we will finally try…
Review: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A121 (January 2021)
The first Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release of the year, coded A121, is upon us — and hold on to your hats, folks, as it is one of the best releases in the series to date. For those unfamiliar, these limited edition releases of Elijah Craig (made with a modest amount of rye in the…
Review: Fishers Island Canned Craft Cocktails
One of the pioneers of ready-to-drink cocktails is Fishers Island Lemonade, launched by Bronya Shillo in 2014 based off the popular signature cocktail served up at the Pequot Inn (based in Fishers Island), which was owned by her family. This year they have added 3 new flavors and a frozen version of their lemonade. Their…
Review: WM Cadenhead Dailuaine 11 Years Old 2008
The majority of Dailuaine’s (pronounced “Dal-oo-ayn”) output rests within a blend which some folks might enjoy with passing familiarity: Johnnie Walker. Aside from occasional appearances in Diageo’s Limited Edition and Flora and Fauna series, there is relatively scant Dailuaine representation, save for cameos on the independent bottling circuit. This WM Cadenhead’s release was selected by…
