Review: Renais Reserve Familiale Gin
Renais is a luxury gin brand in the UK that’s so fancy they released a limited edition bottle featuring artwork from Emma Watson. On a recent trip to London the brand was kind enough to send me a sample of the gin — in the boring old normal person bottle, mind you — which I…
Review: Spirit Hound Straight Malt Whisky
The American single malt world continues to blossom and Colorado has been at the forefront. Spirit Hound Distillers is located in Lyons, Colorado, but they’re well known in London, as their Straight Malt Whisky was named Whisky of the Year and Best in Show at the 2024 London Spirits Competition. Spirit Hound Straight Malt Whisky…
Review: Blue Note Juke Joint, Crossroads, and Rye
In 2021, Monica sampled a rare expression from Memphis-based B.R. Distilling Company’s Blue Note brand. The operation has recently reformulated its lineup, which is now predominantly sourced from a distillery in Kentucky (purportedly Green River Distilling). We recently received three of Blue Note’s flagship products, including a recently launched rye whiskey. Everything we know about…
Review: Rolling Fork Heart of Gold Rum
It’s often been said that bourbon is America’s native spirit. However, rum was America’s first love. Long before whiskey became common in North America, the American colonists had a thriving domestic and imported rum industry. The American rum industry began to diminish heading into the American Revolution and was dealt a near-fatal blow with westward…
The Top 10 Summer Cocktails of All Time
As summer approaches, it’s natural to ask, aloud even perhaps, what should I be drinking right now? While selections like white wine and cold beer are obvious, numerous cocktails abound which feel tailor-made for summer sipping. But which are best? To find out, we polled the Drinkhacker staff and asked for each writer’s list of…
Review: 2016 Fiddlehead Cellars Pinot Noir – Seven Twenty Eight and Oldsville Reserve
We’re longtime fans of winemaker Kathy Joseph, who’s long been something of a benevolent mad scientist in the world of pinot noir, operating out of her home base in Santa Barbara County. Today we’re looking at two pinots from much different regions — Santa Barbara and Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Both are the same vintage —…
Review: Never Say Die Rye
Upon hearing “Never Say Die,” James Bond may be the first thing that comes to mind. However, I’d like to introduce you to the whiskey brand of the same name. It’s perfectly understandable if you’ve not yet heard of Never Say Die Kentucky Straight Rye, as until very recently, they’ve been exclusively an export brand for the…
Review: 2022 Rombauer Chardonnay Carneros
Now that Rombauer is ensconced in the Gallo empire, what changes await its flagship wine: Chardonnay, harvested in Carneros? Well, it’s every bit as unctuous as you remember, kicking things off with bold notes of coconut and vanilla, to the point where you might feel like dessert is being served. The good news is part…
