Review: Tedorigawa Iki na Onna “Lady Luck” Daiginjo Sake
The Tedorigawa brand was introduced to me through the documentary The Birth of Sake. The film follows the brewery through a difficult six-month brewing season, which illustrates the skill and dedication required to brew sake in the traditional manner. The process is so demanding that brewers must live at the brewery communal style, removed from all…
Review: Padre Azul Tequila Silver
Padre Azul is a new brand of tequila with an odd heritage. The story goes that an Austrian schnapps distiller named H.P. Eder married a Mexican woman, and Eder partnered with his wife’s father to craft a tequila in Jalisco. Launched with the intent of bringing 100% agave tequila to Europe, where tequila isn’t nearly…
Review: Sapling Vermont Maple Rye and Snowdrop Gin
We reviewed Saxtons River Distillery’s Sapling Maple Bourbon and Maple Liqueur back in 2014. At last we get to peek at Sapling Rye, which is sourced MGP whiskey that is flavored with local, Grade A Vermont maple syrup, just like Sapling Bourbon. We’re also reviewing Saxtons’ Snowdrop Gin, one of the few products from the…
Tasting Aberlour Single Malts at the Burns Supper Celebration, 2019
On January 25, 1759, the great Scottish bard Robert Burns was born. I am slightly ashamed to admit that I was entirely unfamiliar with Burns, but I am now well acquainted as the folks at Aberlour distillery invited Drinkhacker to a traditional and relaxed Burns Supper at Palo Alto’s MacArthur Park restaurant. According to our…
Review: Egan’s Fortitude Single Malt Irish Whiskey
The Egan’s Irish Whiskey brand was revived in 2013 (see releases here and here), and the company is pushing boundaries with the release of Fortitude, a single malt Irish that is — bizarrely — matured fully in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. (The whiskey does not carry an age statement.) Egan’s says this is the only Irish…
Review: Oskar Blues Brewery G’Knight Imperial Red IPA and Fugli Fruit IPA
It’s been a long time (2010!) since we explored any new beers from Colorado’s Oskar Blues Brewery. We’re remedying that with a look at two more of their offerings: G’Knight, an imperial, double-red India pale ale, and Fugli, a yuzu and ugli fruit-infused Indian Pale Ale. Oskar Blues Brewery G’Knight Imperial Red IPA – This…
Cocktails for Super Bowl LIII, 2019
It’s time to don that team jersey again for this year’s Super Bowl. Here are a few cocktails to enjoy along with the game — plus we’re sharing a nacho recipe with a seafood twist. Beermosa courtesy of Brooklyn Brew Shop 1 1/2 oz. orange juice 3 oz. dry Belgian-style ale (We used Allagash Triple…
Review: Catan Pisco
Catan is a new pisco brand that arrived in late 2018, exclusively launching in Chicago. A Chilean variety of the spirit, it is the brainchild of Catalina Gaete, who oversees its production from organic Pedro Ximénez grapes in Ovalle, Chile. It’s one of the more easygoing piscos I’ve encountered to date, offering a nose that…
