Review: Pinhook Bohemian Bourbon 2020
Previously we reviewed Pinhook’s Bohemian Bourbon High Proof 2020 release, but this is the standard, 47.5% abv version, which actually arrived later in 2020. It’s still made from a mash of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% barley, and it carries a minimum 3 year old age statement (which is older than the 36-month-old High…
Review: Fat Dram Laphroaig Cask Strength 16 Years Old
When a humble sample of a 16 year old Laphroaig bottled at cask strength appears at your door after 3 ice storms in 6 days, you know someone, somewhere is looking out for you. Time to thaw out and enjoy a treat! The nose of this indie bottling exhibits many of the characteristics expected from…
Review: Upshot 2019 White and 2018 Red Wine Blend
New Upshot vintages from Rodney Strong’s line of approachable and affordable wines have arrived: both blends, as usual, one white, one red. Let’s taste. 2019 Upshot White Wine Blend California – A much different blend than 2018: 53% grenache blanc, 16% gewurztraminer, 17% pinot noir, 8% viognier, and 5% sauvignon blanc from all over California.…
Review: Lucky Envelope Brewing Metal Ox Juicy IPA
Celebrating the Year of the Ox? Crack open Seattle-based Lucky Envelope’s new Metal Ox, which is brewed with Seattle Marketplace Lychee Rose Black Tea and double dry-hopped with Citra, Simcoe Cryo, and Loral hops. The beer is decidedly floral, with strong black tea notes early on in the game. From there, things settle down into…
Review: Coconut Cartel Rum
The name of this rum brand comes from the fact that founders — brother and sister Dani and Mike Zighelboim — used to smuggle suitcases full of coconuts to hotels in Miami from their home in El Salvador. Eventually they were supplying coconuts to customers as far north as The Hamptons. Finally they went legit…
Recipe: Tamarind Whiskey Sour
To be sure, this is a very brown drink. That’s because it’s made with tamarind paste, the basis for that sweet, exotic, vaguely spicy stuff you dip your samosas into at the Indian buffet. At Portland’s funky Pok Pok restaurant, they also make a cocktail with it — essentially a whiskey sour plus tamarind, which…
Review: 2018 Cameron Hughes Lot 744 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
One rarely expects great things from zinfandel, but this wine is surprisingly lively and complex, showcasing tart cherry, raspberry, and gentle chocolate notes. It’s what comes later that elevates the wine, with cola and a little bay leaf adding a surprising complexity to what would otherwise feel largely on the level. Vanilla and some baking…
Review: Lost Lantern Single Cask #3: New York Distilling Rye Finished in Apple Brandy Cask
Lost Lantern got its start by putting together a wild blend of American craft distillery whiskeys, but lately it’s setting its feet further afield, offering single cask releases of non-blended stock from a variety of distilleries. Today we’re looking at the third release in Lost Lantern’s lineup, which got its start as a straight rye…
