Review: Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum – Guyana 2003 and Jamaica 2011
Two new single barrel rums from the sourcing maestros at Holmes Cay, the first releases for 2021. (Four more are hot on their heels.) Let’s dive in. Holmes Cay Single Cask Rum Guyana Uitvlugt 2003 – Guyana Uitvlugt (pronounced eye-flot) 2003 was distilled at Guyana’s Diamond Distillery on a French Savalle four-column still. The Uitvlugt name…
Review: 3 Proseccos from Ca’ di Prata, 2021 Releases
Summer is on the way – so it’s time to put away our hearty reds and reach for something lighter. What a perfect time to try three new Proseccos that are making their way to our shores. A popular Italian sparkling wine, Prosecco deserves serious (or seriously frivolous) attention for its fine bubbles, fruit forward…
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…
