Review: Virginia Distillery Courage & Conviction – Bourbon Cask, Sherry Cask, and Cuvee Cask
Virginia Distillery Co. introduced their flagship single malt, Courage & Conviction, in the spring of 2020, and they’ve wasted no time in adding to the portfolio with not one but three new whiskies in the Courage and Conviction line: Bourbon Cask, Sherry Cask, and Cuvée Cask. All three releases are drawn from stocks used in…
Review: 2018 Marina Cvetic Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Riserva
We last considered Marina Cvetic’s trebbiano back in its 2011 vintage. Trebbiano has never been the world’s most thrilling grape, and here it showcases a ton of citrus, almost tropical acidity — but it’s backed by notes of green vegetable, hemp rope, and bread dough. A moderate vanilla note builds on the finish, tempering the…
Review: Wheatley Vodka
When you hear the words Buffalo Trace Distillery, probably the very last spirit that comes to mind is vodka. Well, maybe tequila, but vodka is definitely down at the bottom of that list. It may surprise you then to know that not only does the world-famous whiskey distillery produce a vodka, but its master distiller,…
Recipe: French Manhattan
Who doesn’t love French things? Well, I guess there was that whole Freedom Fries kerfuffle years ago, but since then I hardly know anyone who doesn’t talk fondly about the trip they took or will eventually take to the wine and culinary capital of the world. This cocktail is perfect for the budding Francophile, adapted from…
Review: Tree House Brewing Super Treat Double IPA
Tree House Brewing began life in 2011 in a small barn in Brimfield, Massachusetts, initially operating at a barebones, homebrew scale with a 5-gallon Coleman cooler system. Today, the brewery has become synonymous with the wildly popular hazy, New England style of IPA and their current site in Charlton, Massachusetts can produce upwards of 50,000…
Review: New Riff Maltster Bourbons and Winter Whiskey
Most bourbon drinkers know that the typical bourbon is made from three grains — corn, rye or wheat, and barley. Of those, only the lattermost is typically malted, a process in which the grain is gently germinated in order to make it easier to ferment while adding a more enjoyable flavor to the finished spirit.…
Review: 2018 Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc and Chardonnay
Summer drinking usually means keeping it light and simple, and these two wines from Mondavi, both from the 2018 vintage, definitely fit the bill — and at a reasonable price. 2018 Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Napa Valley – The wine that put Mondavi on the map is as tart as ever, an acidic, grapefruit-heavy wine…
Review: Larsen Cognac Aqua Ignis
Larsen’s new Aqua Ignis has a curious claim to fame: It is the first spirit in the world aged in steam-toasted barrels, specifically “triple-steamed brasero toasted barrels.” What does that mean? Instead of only toasting the barrels with open flame, they are immersed in hot water, then toasted in a brasero, causing the water to…
