Review: Benromach Peat Smoked Sherry Cask Matured 2010
Benromach’s reputation for being a reasonably priced, sturdy single malt is well earned, especially in an age where distilleries are frequently in favor of pushing well-aged stock and ultra premium product affordable only to a select clientele blessed by capitalism’s benevolence. So it came as a bit of surprise to see a Benromach strut itself…
Review: Johnny Drum Bourbon
We’ve covered most of Willett’s expansive whiskey portfolio, but somehow, we missed this bottle, Johnny Drum Private Stock Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon. Willett is slowly replacing many of its sourced brands with its own stock (see the new Old Bardstown and Willett Family Estate lines), but Johnny Drum remains a sourced product made at an…
Review: Wines of Lula Cellars, 2020 Releases
Anderson Valley’s Lula Cellars has taken advantage of the current economic lull to refresh its labels, giving them a cleaner and more upscale look. If this lineup of four new releases is any guide, they’ve also use the time to double down on quality, with some dazzling wines filling out the lineup. Thoughts follow. 2019…
Review: Knob Creek Bourbon 9 Years Old and 12 Years Old (2020)
Since its introduction in 1992, Knob Creek has stood as a reliable and high-grade bourbon — if a fairly sleepy brand. Knob Creek offered a 9 year old age statement until 2016, when Beam was forced to remove it due to shortages of stock. Meanwhile, myriad line extensions (including a rye) and special editions hit…
Review: First Landing Bourbon
Most people don’t associate Maryland with bourbon, but the founders of Tobacco Barn Distillery would argue that Maryland was actually ground zero for America’s native spirit. It’s true that icons of bourbon history like Basil Hayden and Henry Wathen lived in the Chesapeake Bay region of southern Maryland before heading west to what would become…
Review: Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky and Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky
Earlier this month, we reviewed Amrut’s peated single malts, made with sourced Scottish barley. Now we’re rounding out the core line up with a look at two single malts distilled in India from 100% Indian ingredients. Both single malts, a standard and cask strength, are distilled from barley reportedly sourced from the states of Haryana,…
Review: 2018 Flora Springs Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay Family Select
Two new whites, ready for summer sipping, from our friends at Napa’s Flora Springs. Let’s dig in. 2018 Flora Springs Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley – Grassy and fruity on the nose, this wine takes a decidedly sour turn on the palate with a moderate slick of ammonia and a big grapefruit character. Increasingly green as…
Review: Royal Brackla 12, 16, and 21 Years Old
Royal Brackla is the third leg in Dewar’s single malt portfolio — in addition to Craigellachie and Aberfeldy — and while it’s the largest of the trio, it’s probably the least well-known. The distillery, founded in 1812, has been opened and closed over the years, most recently reopened in 1991. Located in the Highlands on…
