Review: Bespoken Spirits Light Whiskey and Bourbon
Bespoken Spirits, like Lost Spirits, Endless West, and Terressentia, is a startup operation built around the idea of making spirits — just whiskey and rum, in Bespoken’s case — that tastes old. The catch is that it goes “from concept to bottle” in about a week, thanks to the magic of technology. Much like Lost…
Review: Wines of Landmark Vineyards, 2021 Releases
Three new offerings from our pals at Landmark Vineyards. No introduction needed: 2019 Landmark Vineyards Overlook Chardonnay Sonoma County – A textbook chardonnay, this wine blends bright apple fruit, figs, and baking spice into a slurry, before dumping them into a bucket of vanilla and gentle, buttery oak. Mellow and approachable on the seductive finish,…
Review: Paul Sutton Bourbon
Paul Sutton is a new bourbon brand, one which seemingly came out of nowhere, overnight. That might lead you to believe that the Kentucky-based operation is simply sourcing whiskey from elsewhere, but that’s not the case: Paul Sutton is making its own distillate, under the direction of Myra Barginear, a New York oncologist (and a…
Review: 6 O’Clock London Dry Gin and Gin & Tonic
6 O’Clock Gin is produced in Bristol, UK, drawing its name from the family tradition of the founders of the company to enjoy a gin and tonic every day at, you guessed it, 6 pm. Although new to the United States, it has been building momentum in the UK for over a decade. Today we…
Review: Spirits of French Lick Absinthe Le Bleu and Old Clifty Hoosier Apple Brandy (2021)
In addition to American whiskey and bourbon (one of which we just reviewed here), Indiana’s Spirits of French Lick also focuses on brandy and botanical spirits, including Indiana’s first commercial absinthe and a unique Calvados-style apple brandy. We received samples of each for review. Thoughts follow. Spirits of French Lick Absinthe Le Bleu (2021) –…
Review: Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot “B” Bourbon 12 Years Old
We’re almost two decades now into the so-called “bourbon boom,” and Van Winkle bourbons, bottles largely responsible for getting us to this frenzied state of obsession, are still widely adored and coveted. As we’ve discussed in recent reviews, the fabled “Pappy” releases are not always life changing pours. While the 15-year has remained a rather…
Review: Graham’s Tawny Port 10 Years Old (2021)
No big changes for Graham’s entry-level 10 year old tawny expression since our last look in 2016; even the packaging remains the same 5 years on. And sure enough, it remains one of my top expressions from Graham’s, particularly considering the price (though it appears to be going up). Notes of plump raisins, dried cherries,…
Review: Firestone Walker Mind Haze IPA
Firestone Walker‘s rendition of a hazy IPA is surprisingly sessionable at just 6.2% abv, but it’s so loaded with flavor you’d never notice. A base of Cheerios kicks things off, with a bold layer of fruit rolling in next: fresh oranges, some pineapple, and — surprisingly — a clear banana note that I never shook…
