Review: McMenamins Billy Rye (2018)
If you don’t know McMenamins, you haven’t spent enough time driving around Oregon. The operation runs restaurants and brewpubs all over the state (and Washington), and it’s been distilling spirits for more than 20 years. The Billy whiskey release is one of its most enduring products, an annual bottling that has evolved somewhat over the…
Review: Dewar’s Double Double Aged Whiskies – 21 Years Old, 27 Years Old, and 32 Years Old
Double Double is a line of three new whiskies from Dewar’s, the brand’s first new release in five years. This is a small-batch blend (like all of the Dewar’s line), though it boasts an upscale approach along with a bit of innovation. First off is the inclusion of age statements — and old ones, starting…
Review: 2018 Hay Maker Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
This is a fairly traditional, uncomplicated expression of kiwi sauvignon blanc. The wine is all pineapple-heavy tropicality up front, with moderate acidity on the attack. As the wine settles into a groove, it loses some of its fire and lands on a somewhat nutty, almost creamy, note. A lychee character hangs on for the finish,…
Review: 2018 Marshall Davis Pinot Noir Rose
This rosé from Oregon’s Marshall Davis is made from 100% pinot noir from the winery’s own estate vineyard, located two miles north of Carlton in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA (in the Willamette Valley). The grapes for this wine are grown in a specific block of the vineyard purposely farmed just for rosé. Fun, eh? As rosé…
Review: Hopsy SUB Compact Home Draft System
Back in December of last year Drinkhacker covered the Hopsy Home Draft system, earning a respectable B+. The conclusion was that the machine was of high quality and succeeded in its mission of providing a beer-bar draft experience at home, however it was not without flaws. Now, only months later, Hopsy is proud to introduce its…
Review: Schlafly Raspberry Hefeweizen
Schafly Beer, Missouri’s largest independent craft brewery, is no stranger to experimentation. Their line-up includes unusual creations such as a Coconut Creme Ale and a Blonde Ale brewed with cocoa and coffee beans. With the Summer months fast approaching Schafly kindly provided a sample of their pink Raspberry Hefeweizen for review. Let’s dig in. Right…
Tasting the Single Malts of BenRiach with Stewart Buchanan (2019)
Louisville, Kentucky is a rather unusual place to host a single malt Scotch tasting. With the luxury of an abundance of bourbon readily available, making market headway into the Bluegrass could prove to be a daunting challenge. Thankfully, Brown-Forman (parent company to Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester, among others) is up to the…
Review: 56 Brewing Solarama Crush
Solarama Crush is a new, limited release from the Northeast Minneapolis-based 56 Brewing Company, a double dry-hopped IPA made with honey. On their website, the brewery notes their commitment to engaging their community by using locally sourced ingredients, local collaborations, local gardens, and more. They describe Solarama Crush thusly: In true Garden to Growler fashion,…
