Review: Wines of Robert Mondavi, 2020 Releases
This trio of wines represents some of Mondavi’s most widely available products, all drawn from its affordable (but not cheap) Napa Valley tier. Let’s try them. 2017 Robert Mondavi Chardonnay Napa Valley – Buttery and nutty, this is a California chardonnay that’s tempered by age, its butter lightly browned and its fruit toned down just…
Review: Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Bourbon 17 Years Old Bottled in Bond
Feeling some deja vu? You’re not crazy. There was indeed already a Master’s Keep 17 Years Old expression from Wild Turkey, which released back in 2015. In fact, that release was the first of the Master’s Keep line altogether. Now the 17 year old version is back — as Master’s Keep release #5 — the…
Book Review: Behind Bars: High Class Cocktails Inspired by Low-Life Gangsters
Within the cocktail world over the last decade there has been an aggressive and endless nod to Prohibition/pre-Prohibition aesthetics for inspiration. This trend does not appear to be making an exit any time in the foreseeable future, which is unfortunate: there is no stone left unturned, no magical cocktail recipe or elixir which hasn’t seen…
Review: Cardhu 12 Years Old (2020) and Game of Thrones Cardhu House Targaryen Gold Reserve
When measured against its reputable Diageo siblings, Cardhu would not be the first choice of many a seasoned single malt aficionado. A quick glance at reliable sources shows independent offerings are rare on the market, and with the exception of the occasional special release in a limited-edition collection, there are seldom expansions beyond two or…
Review: Jeppson’s Malort Curling Edition
Malört is spiced liquor flavored with wormwood, and is Swedish in origin. Sometime during the 1930’s, innovator/sadist Carl Jeppson thrusted his variation of Malört, a word that translates literally as “moth herb,” upon an unsuspecting Chicago public for reasons beyond comprehension. This innovation was quite helpful to residents of this working-class Midwest metropolis. Were it…
Review: Barrell Bourbon Batch 24
For their latest bourbon batch, Batch 24, the folks at Barrell seem to have stuck to the same general script as Batch 21 and Batch 23. This one is comprised of bourbons sourced from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana, with some as old as 15 years. The youngest barrels in the batch, however, skew slightly younger…
Review: Signatory Glenlossie 2008 9 Years Old from Binny’s
While unhealthy for the pocketbook and the credit card balance, a multi-state road trip to Binny’s in Illinois always seems to satisfy the spirit, soul and basement bar. It is a most welcome pilgrimage to escape the day-to-day decline in which we seem to find ourselves. With a full shopping basket and a full heart,…
Review: Templeton Rye Barrel Strength 2020
For three years running now, the folks at Iowa’s Templeton have released a barrel-proof expression of their well-known rye, a sourced whiskey from MGP made with its trademark 95% rye and 5% malted barley mash. This is our first encounter with the release, though you can probably find 2018 and 2019 expressions lingering here and…
