Review: 2017 Tolosa 1772 Pinot Noir Edna Ranch
This pinot noir is the flagship wine of Tolosa Winery, arguably the blue chip operation in the quirky, remote Edna Valley of California. Bright and citrusy, this is a surprising wine that kicks off its ultralight body with unusual notes of strawberry and pineapple, before settling into a more familiar groove that blends notes of graphite…
Review: Aberfeldy 18 Years Old Finished in Bordeaux Casks and Exceptional Cask 20 Years Old (2020)
Keeping track of Aberfeldy’s single malt releases — “the golden dram” — can be tricky, as there are two separate ranges of whiskies, a core range comprising 12, 16, and 21 year old malts and the Exceptional Cask Series, which offers 18, 19, and 24 year old whiskies. Today, Aberfeldy launches one new whisky in…
Review: Bahlsen Baileys-Flavored Cookies – Choco Leibniz and First Class
At present you can find Baileys Irish Cream in various foodstuffs located all around your grocery store: In fudge, candies, brownie mix, non-dairy coffee creamer, baking chips, cake mix, and more. The catch with all of these? None of them have any booze in them! That changes with Bahlsen’s Choco Leibniz Baileys cookies, which are…
Review: Novo Fogo Sparkling Caipirinha Cocktails
Cachaca producer Novo Fogo recently “rebranded, repackaged, and refined” its line of canned sparkling caipirinhas, which now includes three flavors, now featuring less sugar in the mix. The company’s silver Brazilian cachaca is the base for all of the products, with all natural ingredients used for flavoring. We tried the trio in their new incarnations.…
Review: Admiral Rodney Rums – Princessa, Royal Oak, and Formidable
Admiral Rodney is a line of St. Lucia-based rums from Spiribam, which is best known as the home of Rhum J.M, Clement, and other island rums. Admiral Rodney hasn’t been readily available in the U.S., but that changed last year when Spiribam brought the brand here in earnest. Three editions were launched in 2019 —…
Recipe: Toronto
We love Fernet-Branca as a digestif for its wacky level of bitterness, but in cocktails, you have to tread lightly with such an intense ingredient. The Toronto, popularized by Jamie Boudreau of the famous Canon in Seattle, is a great example of how a little Fernet-Branca can go a long way in a mixed drink.…
Review: Vamonos Riendo Mezcal
Vamonos Riendo Mezcal is a new “ensamble” style joven mezcal, made of a blend of 8 year old espadin and 14 year old tobala agaves. Triple-distilled at high altitude, the company behind it also says it supports the Oaxacan community with charitable giving programs. Let’s give it a whirl. The mezcal is nearly transparent, with…
Review: Coppercraft Bourbons, Rye, and Gin
Holland, Michigan-based Coppercraft has had its sights set on being a “grain to glass” distillery since 2012, and today the operation makes at least 8 products. Coppercraft is still working to get there, though, as there’s still plenty of sourced products in the mix, including some that are blends of house-distilled and sourced spirits. Today we…
