Book Review: Dry
Not everyone drinks alcohol. Not everyone who drinks alcohol wants to drink alcohol all the time. Nothing wrong with that, but sipping on club soda with lime is an uncommon bummer that it ought to be illegal. Whether you’re entertaining a teetotaler (or someone underage) or are simply trying to drink less, elevating your alcohol-free…
Review: Woodford Reserve Distillery Series – Barrel Finished Rye
Barrel Finished Rye, another addition to Woodford Reserve’s Distillery Series, briefly hit the distillery’s gift shop shelves this past spring. In the three years since Woodford began the series, this line of one-offs has highlighted some fairly straightforward experiments, like the Double Double Oaked, as well as some more unusual efforts like Frosty Four Wood.…
Review: Wines of Frank Family Vineyards, Late 2018 Releases
Here are three late arrivals from Frank Family Vineyards, including a reprise of its pinot noir, which we previously reviewed. 2016 Frank Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Carneros – A second look at this wine reveals a somewhat more nuanced expression of Carneros Pinot, now showing a more aggressive fruit profile that is complemented more by…
Review: Whiskies of Glen Grant with Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm
Every distillery and every distiller has a story or two, but after 58 years of working at Glen Grant in Scotland’s Speyside, Dennis Malcolm has collected far more than most. Malcolm has seen this small operation — formerly known only for being the source of malt whisky used for blending by Chivas — pass through…
Review: Tequila Avion Silver (2018)
It’s been eight long years since we checked in with Avion, a big player in the post-Patron resurgence of ultrapremium tequila. When the brand recently updated its packaging (which now includes a fancy canister), we figured we were overdue to check in to see if Avion was still at or near the top of the…
Review: La Valdotaine Verney Vermouth and Amaro Dente di Leone
La Valdotaine is an Italian alpine distillery with a rich portfolio of spirits, liqueurs, and fortified wines. While the operation dates back to 1947, the products produced here are only just now available in the U.S., thanks to importer A. Hardy. Just two of La Valdotaine’s products are being made available at this time, a…
Review: 5 Affordable Wines from Cotes de Bordeaux, 2015 Vintage
Never mind your Latour and Lafite. There’s another side of Bordeaux, found in the hillsides of Bordeaux’s Right Bank, the Côtes de Bordeaux. Made up of five sub-appellations — Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon, Francs, and Sainte-Foy — this is a rustic region where small family-run estates make simple wines using the same grapes as their chateaux-dwelling…
Review: Papa’s Pilar Platinum Blonde Rum and Bourbon Barrel Finished Rum
The Hemingway-authorized Papa’s Pilar rum brand has recently released two seasonal, limited edition rums for you cocktailing pleasure. Both are available in rather small quantities, so snap them up if they sound appealing. Papa’s Pilar Platinum Blonde Rum – This is a Cuban-style rum crafted from five aged rums in the Papa’s collection. Boldly fruity…
