Review: Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is a product of The Shed Distillery, a boutique operation in rural Ireland. It’s also one of the most unusual gins you’re likely to encounter, made from a grain neutral base with some interesting botanicals in the mix. In the distillate you’ll find a relatively typical mix of juniper, angelica root,…
Book Review: Moonshine: A Celebration of America’s Original Rebel Spirit
John Schlimm’s name can usually be found affixed to vegan cookbooks or impressive tomes about beer. Allowing for the direct family connection between the distilling of beer and moonshine, it makes sense his next endeavor would venture deep into the Americana lore of the white devil. So much has been written on the subject of…
Review: The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve (2018)
Raise a glass and salute the end of an era: The Glenrothes vintage-dated whiskies are being discontinued, to be replaced with a line of whiskies with standard age statements and additional NAS whiskies, such as this one. We actually saw The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve back in 2016, when it was first released as the first…
Review: 2016 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
Z. Alexander Brown is better known as Zac Brown, the country singer. Turns out he likes more than PBR tallboys: He’s got a winery, too, and it pumps out some affordable, well-crafted wines — at least the two whites, which we’re reviewing here. 2016 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands – An extremely approachable…
Review: Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon 2018 Edition “130th Anniversary”
A much-beloved installment in special edition bourbon season — Four Roses’ Limited Edition Small Batch — has arrived. As Four Roses now seems to find something to celebrate as part of each annual release, this one is no different, marking the distillery’s 130th year in operation. This year, Four Roses is raising a glass and…
Review: Barrel Char in a Jar
At its most basic, whiskey is simply distilled spirits aged in wood. For bourbon, the spirits are produced at least 51% from corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. For single malt scotch, the spirits are drawn from malted barley and typically aged in ex-bourbon or ex-sherry barrels. Irish, Canadian, and Japanese whiskies may…
Review: Virginia Distillery Brewers Batch Virginia-Highland Whisky (Batch 1)
Virginia Distillery Co. is continuing an impressive trend of creative cask finishing with Brewers Batch Virginia-Highland Whisky. This new and limited addition to the line-up features finishing casks sourced from local breweries. With this first release, Virginia Distilling Co. kept it close to home working with Three Notch’d Brewing Company in Central Virginia. Three Notch’d…
Review: Angel City Brewery IPA, Double IPA, and Avocado Ale 2018
Angel City Brewery is based, where else, in Los Angeles, where its been cranking out brews for over 20 years. Based in the Arts District, Angel City produces nearly 50 varieties, including standards, seasonals, and special releases. Today we look at a mere three of them — and we hope to get a few more…