Review: 2015 Frescobaldi Nipozzano Riserva Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina
The 2015 bottling of this wine is drier than the 2011, its cherry-fueled core tempered by a heavy tea leaf, bay leaf, and gentle oregano notes. Drying and almost astringent on the finish, this well-aged Chianti feels like it still has one foot planted firmly in the earth, dusty and tight with a hint of…
Review: La Adelita Tequila Black Cristalino
Several tequila distillers are lobbying to have cristaliño added to the four existing official tequila categories. A cristalino is an añejo or extra añejo tequila that after aging has been filtered to have color but not flavor removed, producing a spirit that is clear, but with all the flavor that the tequila has picked up…
Review: George Howell Guduba Light Roast Coffee
The name George Howell warrants minimal introduction to coffee fanatics. For over four decades, Howell has been a leader in bringing high-quality coffee stateside. It is not unheard of for brand devotees to stay up late into the night, refreshing and clicking furiously when highly limited edition roasts go live online, with good reason: Some…
Review: Elysian Full Contact and Salt & Seed
Two new releases from Seattle’s Elysian Brewing — one seasonal and one year-round entry. Elysian Full Contact Imperial Hazy IPA – Available year-round. Beautiful high-abv Imperial IPAs are increasingly common, but Elysian’s Full Contact, made with Centennial, Simcoe, and Strata hops, is near the top of the heap. While it’s not really hazy at all…
Review: Grey Goose Vodka (2021)
Grey Goose is simultaneously one of the most loved and hated spirits brands in the world. Legions of martini drinkers have turned Grey Goose, which is now owned by Bacardi, into a must-call phenomenon on the back bar, and today some 20 million bottles of the stuff are sold every year. (Though this number has…
Review: Spirits of French Lick The Mattie Gladden Bourbon Bottled in Bond
For a long time, any bourbon you might find on a shelf that carried the words “Distilled in Indiana” on its label was almost certainly produced by whiskey powerhouse MGP. That’s all starting to change though, because the craft distilling craze hit Indiana the same way it did the rest of the country, and several…
Review: BDI Corridor Bar Unit
If you’re looking to upgrade your home bar, remember that it’s not just about the bottles on the shelves. A carefully curated selection of spirits and wine deserves a comfortable place to tuck in for the evening. Plus, if you’re like me, you have an unreasonable number of cocktail and tasting glasses scattered throughout the…
Review: Cotton & Reed White Rum, Dry Spiced Rum, and Allspice Dram
Cotton & Reed opened its doors in 2016 in Washington, D.C.’s trendy Union Market neighborhood, becoming the first rum distillery ever in the District. The distillery prides itself on making interesting rums with flavors specifically geared toward cocktails, although neat sipping is encouraged, as well. They also promote a “restrained approach to sugar,” meaning these…
