Review: Compass Box Hedonism Quindecimus
In the 18 years since Compass Box began blending whisky, there have been only four special editions of Hedonism, the grain whisky that put the whiskymaker on the map. We sampled the first of these, Maximus, back in 2008, but the 10th anniversary release, which yielded only 144 bottles, unsurprisingly eluded us (as has the most…
Review: Budweiser Reserve Copper Lager
We’ve been rather firm (but fair) in our assessment of Budweiser products. One of the largest beer producers in the world, Budweiser has been fighting the battle against the emergence of home brewers and micro-brewers as their share of the market has steadily increased over the last several years. The mass-produced iconic brand is synonymous…
Review: Owney’s New York City Rum
Here’s a curious product from Owney’s, a rum producer we encountered (but didn’t really care for) a couple of years ago as part of a MashBox club package. The product — “New York City Rum” — is a bit of a misnomer. This new expression is actually a blend of its own New York-produced Distiller’s…
Review: Noble Vines 2017 Chardonnay and 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Noble Vines offers a simple collection of numerically-designated wines, sourced from all over California. Here’s a look at two recent bottlings in the ultra-affordable collection. 2017 Noble Vines Collection 446 Chardonnay Monterey – Lots of oak and vanilla here on a wine that doesn’t feel as natural as it should. Gummy and extracted, the heavy oak…
Review: Russell’s Reserve 2002 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Last seen in 1998, this is a single vintage, cask strength release of Wild Turkey’s Russell’s Reserve Bourbon, a 15 year old monster of which only 25 barrels have been turned out. Bottled at barrel strength, it’s a rare opportunity to look at Wild Turkey at an advanced age, unadulterated, from a single distilling season.…
Review: Wines of Black Stallion, 2018 Releases
You’ll find Black Stallion on Napa’s iconic Silverado Trail — one of the most picturesque drives in all of California wine country. Here the winery produces a wide range of wines that are, surprisingly, quite affordable given the region from which they hail. Today we look at three recent releases that span the most common…
Review: Los Arango Tequila Complete Lineup
Los Arango Tequila is new to the U.S., a revival of an older brand named after Pancho Villa himself. Double (column) distilled from 100% pure agave by the same folks that produce Corralejo, here’s some background by way of press release: Los Arango Tequila, the authentic artisanal ultra-premium tequila with revolutionary heritage, is pleased to…
Review: Yuengling Oktoberfest
Pennsylvania’s Yuengling has launched its annual Oktoberfest brew expression, a beer they’ve put out every year since 2011 — but only during these high holy holidays of beer-drinking. Brewed with a blend of Tettnang and Hallertau hops, it’s a traditional copper lager, toasty with pretzel and brown bread overtones, lots of chewy malt, and the slightest…
