Review: Islay Storm Peated Single Malt
Everyone enjoys a good bargain, and Trader Joe’s has a reputation in the United States for selling tasty things at reasonable prices. Islay Storm could possibly be an exclusive to Trader Joe’s in the United States, as I haven’t seen it available at any other retail outlet or chain shop of note. This line of…
Review: Square One Organic Canned Cocktails
Square One is now officially making a little bit of everything to satisfy the cocktail thirsty consumer. They remain best-known for a line of high quality straight and infused vodkas, and earlier this year, the company introduced several organic, low-sugar cocktail mixers. Now, they’re getting into the ready-to-drink game with a line of sparkling canned…
Pappy Van Winkle, Wolverine Boots and Mike Rowe Team Up For Charity
Mike Rowe is one of the good ones. His longstanding commitment to the American labor force and its skilled trades has been documented through countless TV shows, testimonials before Congress about the vital importance of competent, skilled labor, and numerous education initiatives via his foundation, mikeroweWORKS. The fine folks at Wolverine boots have partnered with…
Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask 46.89
A few months ago, a particular Glenlossie (courtesy of Signatory) made for an enjoyable summer evening experience. When the email announcement arrived that there was an opportunity to purchase another bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, it seemed quite appealing. Regrettably, I had let my membership lapse but was lucky enough to trade for…
Review: Wines of Diora, 2020 Releases
Diora is a winery located in San Bernabe Vineyard, in the tiny San Bernabe AVA in Monterey County. When first planted to grapes in the 1970s, the vineyard was optimized for large-scale commercial winemaking, with wide vine spacing to accommodate machine picking and pruning. Delicato Family Wines, owned by the Indelicato family, purchased the San…
Review: Balcones Lineage
Waco, Texas-based Balcones Distilling is expanding its line of single malts again with the launch of Lineage, “a marriage between Scotch and American whisky-making tradition.” The concept? Lineage is made from barley grown in Scotland and Texas, and it’s aged in both refill and virgin oak barrels, the former the traditional method for aging in…
Tasting Report: Sparkling Rose Wines, 2020 Releases
“There sure are a lot of girly drinks in the fridge,” my wife said as I prepared to tuck into this roundup of sparkling rose wine. And she’s right. Some of these sparkly bottles look like they belong on my daughter’s desk, not on the bar of the discriminating drinker. So it goes. Not every…
Review: M&H Classic Single Malt, Elements Sherry, and Levantine Gin
Earlier this year we brought you a first look at two whiskies from Tel Aviv-based M&H (Milk & Honey) Distillery, Israel’s first whisky distillery, both bottled under the “Whisky in Bloom” brand. Now the brand — which has actually been around since 2012 — is expanding its U.S. presence with three additional releases, M&H Classic…
