Review: Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition
First there was Black Label, then there was Double Black, now there’s one louder: Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition (at least if you have access to travel retail). Triple casks? Let’s explore: Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition is a limited-edition whisky inspired by the lighter flavours and aromas found in the iconic…
Review: 2016 Tom of Finland Outstanding Red California
Tom may be of Finland but his winemaker is now living in Murphys, California — gold country, as it were — making a wine called Outstanding. OUTstanding, if you prefer their capitalization… and that’s for a reason. Tom of Finland is the pseudonym of Touko Valio Laaksonen (who died in 1991), a gay artist from Finland (naturally)…
Review: Boone County Eighteen33 Bourbon 12 Years Old
Since Halloween is quickly approaching, it seems only appropriate to review a whiskey from a distillery with the tagline “Made by Ghosts.” Kentucky’s Boone County Distilling Co. is referring here to the ghosts of distillers past, specifically those that founded and operated Boone County’s Petersburg Distillery which was the largest bourbon producer in the state…
Review: Wines of Argentina’s Alamos, 2018 Releases
Our friends at Argentina’s Alamos have released their 2018 malbecs, which come in two levels, a standard bottling and the more expensive seleccion. Some thoughts. 2017 Alamos Malbec Mendoza – Entry-level stuff, woody and earthy, with a significant eucalyptus note to it. Ample blackcurrant is offset by notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, with a lightly tannic…
Review: Volcan de Mi Tierra Tequila – Blanco and Cristalino
“Where the volcano erupts, a new tequila is born.” So goes the slogan of Volcan de Mi Tierra, a new line of luxury tequilas that have been flying a bit below the radar. Is the name too much to say? Or is it just a discovery yet to be made by tequila connoisseurs? Either way,…
Cigar Review: Romeo Y Julieta Coronitas Cedro
The good folks at Montefortuna Cigars have been gracious enough to supply us with a sampling of Cuban cigars to pair some of our favorite drinks in preparation for the forthcoming autumnal season. Think we should keep reviewing cigars? Let us know in the comments! Romeo Y Julieta Coronitas Cedro – It’s been a bit…
Review: Dr. Zzyzx Flavored Vodkas
It’s probably safe to say that Dr. Zzyzx is not a real person. Dr. Zzyzx (“zy-zix, to rhyme with Isaacs”) is rather a creation of Sespe Creek Distillery in Oxnard, California (and inspired by a quirky California town of the same name), where they’re specializing in making vodka flavored with some oddball ingredients. Incidentally, Sespe…
Review: 2016 Luna Vineyards Pinot Grigio Reserve Napa Valley
This pinot grigio from Napa’s Luna Vineyards is downright iconic, both floral and fruity, with notes of both mango and white flowers placed against a backdrop of green apples and gentle notes of thyme and rosemary. Sweetness tends to carry the day here, making this an excellent porch sipper that also pairs well with spicy cuisine.…
