Review: Angostura Cocoa Bitters
Although Angostura makes a line of orange bitters, it’s best known for its iconic, eponymous aromatic bitters, a paper-wrapped bottle which no bar should be without. Now the Angostura bitters line expands to a whopping 3 expressions, with the launch of Angostura Cocoa Bitters. These bitters are made with Trinitario cocoa which is grown on…
Review: Schloss Johannisberg 2016 Grunlack and 2018 Silberlack
Schloss Johannisberg, based in Germany’s Rheingau region, lays claim to being the first riesling winery in the world, established in 817, over 1200 years ago. Which is a long time ago. The wines reviewed here are 100% single-vineyard riesling from Johannisberg’s estate vineyards. Let’s give them a whirl! 2016 Schloss Johannisberg Grunlack Riesling Spatlese – A…
Review: Grande Absente Absinthe Originale
If you think of Absente as the entry-level product from France’s Distilleries et Domaines de Provence, you can consider Grande Absente its top-shelf offering. The primary difference? Grande Absente is bottled at a considerably higher 69% abv than the 55% abv Absente — though, it’s important to note, it still contains artificial colors to give…
Review: Wines of Knotty Vines, 2020 Releases
Knotty Vines is an entry-level label launched by our friends at Sonoma-based Rodney Strong. With four standard bottlings described as “irreverent and fruit-driven,” these affordable bottlings are targeted at Millennial drinkers who might be taking their first steps into exploring the world of wine. We got the full inaugural quartet, all blends from all over…
Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask 135.19
For the rapidly aging Generation X jet set clinging to inane pop from the ’80s, the phrase “Easy Lover” conjures up memories of a duet between Earth Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey and that one drummer from Genesis. Much like the grocery store intercom anthem, the SMWS selected an accessible and pleasant dram for which…
Review: Bruichladdich Octomore 11.1, 11.3 and 10 Years Old R2020
The latest Octomore release is here, and our friends from Islay’s Bruichladdich, Head Distiller Adam Hannett and Production Director Allan Logan, recently took the time to walk us through the lineup — or, at least, 3/4 of it — in a Zoom-based “master class” exploration of the “the world’s most heavily peated whisky.” As usual,…
Review: 6 Prosecco Wines, 2020 Releases
If Covid hit Prosecco, you wouldn’t ever know it. I feel like we’ve been inundated with the stuff since the beginning of the pandemic, to the point where I need to take a break from it. With that said, here’s a look at 6 new releases from Valdobbiadene. NV Trevisiol Prosecco Rive di Collalto Valdobbiadene…
Review: Laphroaig Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks Edition 2020
Laphroaig’s special-edition Cairdeas releases often fall back on wine casks — its 2013 Port cask release remains one of my favorite Islay whiskies ever — so this 2020 offering offers some familiar elements. It’s a marriage of fully matured second-fill Ruby Port barriques and ex-bourbon barrels, which is then finished in red wine casks. As…
