Review: Talisker 8 Years Old Limited Edition 2020
At 8 years old this is the youngest whisky in the 2020 Diageo Special Releases (2019’s was a 15 year old Talisker), though it does offer one unique spin: It’s aged in refill casks then finished in pot-still Caribbean rum casks, a first for this distillery (and, I think, a first in the Special Releases…
Review: 135 East Hyogo Dry Gin
Kaikyo Distillery has become best known in the U.S. as the producer of the two Hatozaki whiskies which are available on our shores. Now America is being introduced to a white spirit from Kaikyo, which was originally launched in the country in 2017. 135 East Hyogo Dry Gin is named for the longitude line which…
Review: Nik Weis 2019 Urban Riesling and 2018 Wiltinger Kabinett
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof is a riesling winery in Germany’s Mosel region. Thanks to its gentle sweetness, hearty body, and low alcohol level, riesling is a great choice for white wine for cooler months. Today we take a look at two of Weis’s new bottlings, both available fore $20 or less. 2019 Nik Weis Mosel…
Review: Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen (2020)
We first encountered Schofferhofer Grapefruit back in 2015, and since that time it’s been reformulated. No longer made with cochineal color — it now uses beta-carotene to give it its orange-pink hue — and it’s now billed formally as a blend of 50% hefeweizen and 50% grapefruit soda, though that fact could have eluded me…
Review: Glenmorangie Malaga Cask Finish 12 Years Old
Glenmorangie’s core lineup includes a 10 year-old whisky aged exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels along with several varieties that start as the 10 year-old and then spend additional time finishing in other barrels. There is The Lasanta finished in ex-sherry barrels, The Quinta Ruban finished in ex-port barrels, and The Nectar d’Or finished in ex-sauternes barrels.…
Review: Troegs Mad Elf Ale and Beer Cheese
We like beer collaborations. Beer and cheese collaborations? Even better. Made Elf Beer Cheese is a wild mashup of Hershey, Pennsylvania-based Troegs and Caputo Brothers Creamery in nearby Spring Grove. This is the third cheese collab between the two brands. Here’s how this one works: Mad Elf Beer Cheese starts with 100% Pennsylvania cow’s milk. At…
Review: Oak Farm 2017 Barbera and 2018 Tievoli
You’ll find Oak Farm Vineyards in the sleepy area known as California’s Lodi region. While Lodi is virtually synonymous with zinfandel, Oak Farm also produces an unusual varietal for this region: Barbera. Let’s take a look at it, plus a zin blend. 2017 Oak Farm Barbera Lodi – This estate-grown barbera is sweeter than expected,…
Review: Old Overholt Straight Rye and Bottled-in-Bond Rye (2020)
One of the most venerable names in rye whiskey has received a major refresh: Old Overholt has been rebranded, relabeled, and reproofed, now hitting 86 proof instead of 80, as it has been for years. Per the company, “Bottles will now feature a grumpier likeness of our creator Abe Overholt, a red cap like the…
