Recipe: Bitter Tropical Bramble
When Camarena Tequila asked if they could develop a cocktail for us that made use of some of our favorite ingredients, we jumped at the offer. Our request: Figure out a way to blend tequila and amaro. Here’s what Chris Chamberlain, Beverage Development Lead for E&J Gallo Spirits (which owns Camarena) came up with! It’s…
Review: 2019 Selvapiana Chianti Rufina DOCG
Selvapiana’s Chianti Rufina (the smallest subzone in the Chianti region) is 95% Sangiovese with 5% total Canaiolo, Colorino, and Malvasia Nera added. This affordable bottling is a gentle introduction to the style, offering tart cherries and some spice notes, with a lasting, moderately tannic finish. The wine perks up and offers a bit of floral-driven…
Review: Harpoon Big League IPA
Harpoon’s latest beer hardly breaks the new ground that some of its recent offerings have cracked wide open, but it is nonetheless a credible IPA (albeit one which is standing a sea of competition). Designed to be a bolder counterpart to its Rec. League IPA, this hazy, flavored with Cascade, Simcoe, Ekuanot, Citra, and Mosaic…
Review: Booker’s Bourbon “Pigskin Batch” 2020-03 and “Donohoe’s Batch” 2021-01
Our Booker’s Bourbon small batch reviews fell a bit behind last winter; today we look at two recent batches of Booker’s, both of which should be readily available on the market. While similar in age and proof, they’re quite different experiences. Let’s dig in. Booker’s Bourbon “Pigskin Batch” 2020-03 – Aged 6 years, 7 months,…
Review: In Good Taste’s Wild Child Tasting Kit
I have to say, it was a lot of fun receiving my Wild Child tasting flight of wines from In Good Taste. Inside a well-crafted box lay 8 different samples of wine, each 187 ml (roughly 1/4 of a standard bottle). All of the grape varietals were less common varieties. No Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay,…
Review: Mighty Swell Spiked Spritzers (2021 Flavors)
Much to their credit, the folks at Mighty Swell keep the new additions to the flavor profile ever-changing. This scrappy little Austin upstart continues to carve out their own little space in the ready-to-drink cocktail world. They are back once again with four new flavors for consideration. Each 12-ounce can checks in at 5% abv…
Tasting Maker’s Mark’s New Private Selection Stave: Roasted French Mendiant
The Private Selection program at Maker’s Mark is one of the most unique in the bourbon business, the idea being that customers can take a standard barrel of Maker’s Mark, then put 10 additional staves in the barrel, where they finish the whiskey for 9 extra weeks. Private Selection — no longer called Private Select —…
Review: 2018 Aia Vecchia Lagone Toscana IGT
Aia Vecchia is a winery founded by Bolgheri’s Pellegrini family in 1996, and this affordable Super Tuscan is made from a blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc. An initial, significant heaviness with lots of tannin and turned earth takes its time to show its charms, but it eventually opens up.…
