Review: Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold
Jack Daniel’s latest innovation starts, like most, with the essentials of Old No. 7. Crafted from the same mash, it’s also filtered before barrel-aging by passing it through maple charcoal, just like all “real” Tennessee whiskey, then aged in new, charred oak barrels. And then things start to change. The big switch comes when Old…
Review: Wines of Marques de Caceres, 2019 Releases
Here’s a sextet of Spanish wines from Marques de Caceres, the bodega founded in 1970 that has since become a powerhouse in the nation’s wine industry — particularly thanks to its Rioja wines. All widely available and affordable, here’s a fresh look at the winery’s current releases as of early 2019. NV Marques de Caceres…
How Long Does Baileys (And Other Cream Liqueurs) Last?
How long does Baileys last? I’ve received this question many times, in many forms. How long can will the bottle stay fresh while it’s still sealed? How long will it keep after it’s opened? Does it need to be refrigerated? Finally I am taking the time to answer your many questions and comments about Baileys…
Review: Pyramid Curve Ball Summer Blonde Ale
Made from a base of malted barley and wheat, this lightly hopped hybrid brew is Pyramid’s entry for summer 2019. Available in big 22 oz. bottles or standard six-/twelve-packs, you should find it on shelves now. The chewy, bready palate offers touches of lemon and coriander, fading into a gentler, malt-driven character as the initial…
Review: The Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask, Ruby Cask, and Winter Reserve
In early 2018, Edrington decided to dramatically expand The Famouse Grouse brand, releasing a range of new blends under the avian banner. Two of these marked the start of Famous Grouse’s new Cask Series, which would showcase different barrel regimens. Both are permanent additions to the lineup. A third whisky, Winter Reserve, is technically a…
Review: 2018 La Vieille Ferme Rose
This is a budget rose from La Vieille Ferme is made from a blend of cinsault, grenache, and syrah, and it’s produced via the saignée method, which is the fanciest of the various ways in which rose can be made. (It involves bleeding off some of a red wine’s juice at the very start of…
Tasting Report: WhiskyFest Washington DC 2019
For a city that seems to always be in need of a stiff drink, WhiskyFest D.C. was a little less crowded than in previous years. Once again, there was no sign of Pappy van Winkle, but the BTAC offerings lasted well into the evening. As with most DC WhiskyFests, the seminars offered the biggest bang for…
Review: Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur
Mozart’s iconic bottles — shaped like a globe and wrapped in variously colored foils — are hard to miss, either at the liquor store or on the back bar. These Austrian products — of which there are five — include cream liqueurs, straightforward chocolate liqueurs (made without cream), and a clear, chocolate-flavored vodka. Today…
