Talking Toki with Suntory Master Blender Shinji Fukuyo
Master distillers get all the press, but their work is basically done before a whisky ever goes into the barrel. When it comes to putting out a finished product, the master blender rolls up his sleeves. In the case of Japan’s Suntory whisky operation, which spans three distilleries in the country, that task falls to…
Review: 2017 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
New sauvignon blanc from classic Kiwi producer Whitehaven. Intense peach and white flower notes hit instantly on the nose, which is very aromatic, almost pungent with its perfumed aromas. The palate segues into pineapple, some lemon, and a hint of coconut – but maintains an intense acidity that pushes through to the finish. As the…
Review: The Whistler Irish Whiskey “The Blue Note” Single Malt 7 Years Old
As mentioned in our previous review of Merrys Irish Cream, the company behind it, Na Cuana, also has a straight Irish whiskey on tap. It’s quite an unusual beast for Irish, a single malt that is finished in oloroso sherry casks for a whopping two years. Some details: The Whistler 7 Year Old Blue Note…
Review: Hess Select 2016 Pinot Noir and 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Two affordable wines from The Hess Collection’s Hess Select brand, located in Napa but a producer of wines from all across California. 2016 Hess Select Pinot Noir Central Coast – A beefy expression of pinot, this wine rolls out notes of bacon fat, campfire smoke, and onion rings, which all sounds perfect for pairing with…
Review: Michter’s Single Barrel Straight Rye 10 Years Old 2018
It’s been a year and a half since Michter’s last single barrel rye hit the market. At long last, shipments of the 2018 release have started up. Don’t expect a lot of it, though: Michter’s Master Distiller Pamela Heilmann has approved the 2018 release of Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye. These barrels…
Review: Rutherford Ranch 2016 Malbec Reserve and 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
The Rutherford Wine Company operates at least eight different sub-brands (many of which we’ve reviewed here previously), but Rutherford Ranch is arguably its flagship. Today we look at two new releases, both dense reds, from this property in the heart of Napa Valley. 2016 Rutherford Ranch Malbec Reserve Napa Valley – 87% malbec, 9% cabernet…
Review: Fizzics Waytap Beer Dispenser
2016 brought us the ingenious Fizzics beer dispenser, letting you turn bottles or cans of beer into a simulacrum of the draft experience via a dispensing system that works a lot like a tap. The original Fizzics works pretty well, but it’s a bit large and a bit expensive. So, enter the Fizzics Waytap, essentially…
Perfect Pairings: Indian Food and Gewürztraminer
Sometimes food and drink go together so well that each makes the other shine and brings out the best in both. When that happens, we have a “perfect pairing.” One such perfect pairing is Indian food and the white wine Gewürztraminer. I love Indian food for its amazing blend of aromatic spices that provide tantalizing…
