Review: Knappogue Castle 12 Years Old Marsala Finish
The latest Irish whiskey from Knappogue Castle is this 12 year old single malt, aged in bourbon barrels and then finished in Marco De Bartoli Marsala casks from the region of Samperi in Sicily. You can smell the Marsala wine influence immediately when you crack open the bottle. The aromas of oxidized wine, citrus peel,…
Review: 2015 Marques de Casa Concha Merlot
This Chilean merlot is overloaded with fruit, with cherry and strawberry notes providing the base for a surprisingly jammy palate. A slightly floral edge adds some nuance, but it’s the lasting sweetness that dominates the experience. B / $25 Related posts: Review: Marques de Casa Noble Tequila Review: Maddalena 2020 Merlot and 2021 Rose Review:…
Review: Penelope Bourbon Barrel Strength Batch #2
It’s our third go-round with Penelope, a unique “four grain” whiskey that blends three MGP whiskeys together: a rye-mash bourbon, a wheat-mash bourbon, and a “corn bourbon” made from just corn and barley. We’ve reviewed the standard bottling in two separate batches. Now we turn to Batch #2 of the Barrel Strength expression. (Though, note,…
Review: 2018 Famile Perrin Reserve Cotes do Rhone Blanc AOC
This is a classic blend of grenache blanc, marsanne, roussanne, and viognier from the Rhone Valley. Slightly green on the nose, with a floral, potpourri note. The palate runs to honeysuckle and sees a touch of camphor, and as the wine warms in the glass it becomes quite perfumed on the finish. Exotic and lovely…
Tasting Report: Brunello di Montalcino, 2020 Releases
Like Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino is made in Italy from sangiovese grapes. What’s the difference between the two wines, then? Location: Chianti hails from Tuscany, while Brunello is born in Montalcino, about 60 miles to the south. The weather and the soils are both different here, and the warmer climes around Montalcino give Brunello more…
Review: Twisted Alchemy Cold-Pressed Juices
There’s no substitute for fresh-squeezed juices in a cocktail… or is there? Twisted Alchemy attempts to raise the bar on ready-to-mix juices, all cold-pressed, unpreserved/unpasteurized, and ready for use. The juices are sold (and must be kept) refrigerated. To keep them from spoiling, Twisted Alchemy exposes them to “high pressure simulating 60 kilometers below sea…
Review: Islay Mist Blended Scotch 8 Years Old
Islay Mist is a fairly unique whisky: It’s a blended Scotch that, as the name implies, is fairly well peated. Created in the 1920s, it’s the only blended Scotch in the world that is permitted to use the word “Islay” in the name. The whisky is made at the Laphroaig Distillery, where it is blended…
Review: NV Korbel Prosecco DOC
Korbel is best known for its affordable California sparkling wine, but now it’s spreading its wings — to the east. Per the company, “Korbel tasted its way through Italy’s Prosecco DOC region and brought home an Italian sparkler of its own.” That’s right, Korbel Prosecco, from Italy! To be honest, aside from the label, there’s…
