Review: 2017 Hess Collection Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon
Here’s a pair of wines from our friends at Napa’s Hess Collection — a place you must visit if you’re in the area! 2017 Hess Collection Chardonnay Napa Valley – Oak and vanilla are in full effect in this chardonnay, though they’re dialed back enough to let some interesting fruit notes shine through, including pear,…
Review: Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice and A Song of Fire
Hey, remember Game of Thrones? Johnnie Walker does, and they’re making sure the epic TV series stays alive with the third installment of whisky inspired by the show. A Song of Ice and A Song of Fire are designed as a pair; you’re ideally supposed to sample these two spirits together to get a sense of how…
Review: 2bar Spirits Rye
It’s been over five years since we looked at the spirits of 2bar — an impressive bourbon, vodka, and more — but the Seattle distiller recently rolled out a new product: 2bar Rye. This whiskey is made from a mash of 65% rye, 10% corn, and 25% malt, and it’s aged for 2 1/2 years…
Review: Kilchoman 100% Islay Ninth Release, 2010 Vintage, Loch Gorm 2019, Evolution 11 Years Old, and STR Cask Matured
Yes, that’s a terribly long headline, but Kilchoman puts out whiskies at such a pace that it’s tough to keep up. We’ve got a backlog of five different whiskies from the Islay newcomer… well, not so much a newcomer now that we’re seeing spirits as mature as 11 years old from the operation. Let’s skip…
Review: Well Told City-Themed Glassware
Got local pride? Show it off with your selection of drinking vessels, thanks to Well Told’s new etched glassware, featuring maps of top U.S. and global cities. It’s a simple idea but it makes for a really cool highball or pint glass. (Though I’m less enamored with the idea of putting this kind of treatment…
Gift Idea and Giveaway: Globe Decanter by Prestige Decanters
Where did 2019 go? We’ll probably never know, but one thing is for sure, it’s time to get shopping. Since you’re reading this, there’s a greater than zero chance that you’ll be gifting or unwrapping a shiny new decanter this holiday season. Decanters are the one thing every whiskey lover should own, but most can…
Review: Uncle Nearest 1884 Whiskey
The Uncle Nearest brand only got its start in late 2018 with the launch of Uncle Nearest 1856, but the brand has already launched a second and third expression. We missed #2, Uncle Nearest 1820, and we’re skipping ahead to #3: Uncle Nearest 1884. Like 1856, it’s a sourced, Tennessee-distilled whiskey that doesn’t formally…
Review: Wines of Veramonte and Primus, 2019 Releases
Two new (big) value wines from Chile’s Veramonte and a pair from it moderately more upscale label, Primus. Andale! 2017 Veramonte Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley – While this wine is initially a touch beefy and tough, a little time in glass lets it open up to reveal a soft blueberry and strawberry element, with subtleties…
