Review: El Tesoro Tequila Extra Anejo
El Tesoro has long had an extra anejo tequila on the market — Paradiso was first released in 1994, before extra anejo was ever legally established — but this has always been a limited release that tends to be tough to find. Now El Tesoro is launching a year-round, full-time extra anejo, billed without the…
Review: Bear Republic Challenge Series 90
Up next in Bear Republic’s Challenge Series is #90, subtitled German Connection, “inspired by German-origin ales and Gene Hackman’s slick driving skills. This only-brewed once ale is aggressively hopped with 4.5 pounds per barrel of Mandarina Bavaria, Huell Melon, and Hallertau Blanc for citrusy and fruity aromatics.” It’s a lovely brew, creamy and thick with…
Review: Redemption Rye and Bourbon (2020)
Few probably realize this, but back in 2015 the Redemption whiskey brand changed hands. What was once an independent brand is now owned by Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, which has put out numerous special releases under the Redemption label in the years since. Deutsch has a wide range of brands that now includes Bib…
Review: That Boutique-y Whisky Company Offerings, Winter 2020
The good news is that our friends at That Boutique-y Whisky Company recently kicked off a new whisky club: The Dram Good Club. The so-called Dram Good Club gives drinkers access to miniature bottles of what TBWC does best: Whisky rarities that you’d otherwise never be able to sample. The bad news? The Dram Good Club…
The Top 10 Rums of 2019
Who doesn’t love a good list? Who doesn’t love rum? Let’s put these two loves together by kicking off our inaugural look back at the 10 best rums we reviewed during the previous calendar year. 2019 was a huge year for rum, with numerous excellent bottlings hitting the market from all over the Caribbean (and…
Review: 2017 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Russian River Selection
A tart and lovely pinot noir, Gary Farrell’s 2017 release drinks beautifully from the start. Iconic notes of cherry, tea leaf, and baking spice mingle beautifully on the tongue, with just a hint of chocolate on the back end. Ample acidity works well to counteract the sweeter elements in the wine, leading to a lush…
Visiting Chimney Rock and Black Stallion Wineries in Napa, California, 2020
Along Napa’s Silverado Trail you’ll find a pair of wineries which are pushing their offerings, especially cabernet sauvignon, toward the higher end of the category. We spent a day visiting both Chimney Rock and Black Stallion, both of which are worthwhile to visit. Chimney Rock was founded in 1980 and its architecture is unique for…
Book Review: The Mixology of Astrology
Looking for elevated cocktail recipes? You needn’t look past the title of Aliza Kelly Faragher’s The Mixology of Astrology to know you’re not getting it here. Still, it’s a quirky enough idea to at least merit a flip-through if you’re zodiacally inclined and wondering if there are cocktails that pair better with your star sign.…
