Review: Empower Cosmopolitan Martini
Don’t let the monster-sized bottle fool you; this isn’t vodka. Empower Cocktails is actually a new brand of ready-to-drink cocktails launched by Tiffany Hall, a former Pernod Ricard executive, who launched this new line to “celebrate and honor women, while also catering to their distinct tastes.” Empower’s first product is this, the Cosmopolitan Martini. It’s made with…
Review: 2017 Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Saint Clair’s 2017 sauvignon blanc drinks with an elevated profile. Yes, it brings the iconic pineapple and mango note to the table, but there’s enough lime-peel-laden acidity to give the fruit and inherent sweetness a lift. Relatively restrained in alcohol, it’s an easy drinker without a ton of complexity, though some fresh and grassy herbal…
Review: Basil Hayden’s Two by Two Rye
Following on the baffling Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye comes another limited release whiskey: Basil Hayden’s Two by Two Rye. What’s Two by Two? This bottle blends two Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskies and two Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskies, creating a combination that is uncommon, but which isn’t unheard of. (Wild Turkey arguably gave the bourbon-rye combo its…
Review: 2017 The Sisters Pinot Rose and Sauvignon Blanc
“With an innate understanding of women’s hectic lives, the idea behind the brand was born.” My wife didn’t think the label on The Sisters, a set of wines hailing from Marlborough, NZ-based winemaker Rebecca Wiffen, displayed much particular insight into her world, but hey, a wine’s name is really just a name (though the brand…
Review: Cascade Blonde American Whiskey
Per brand owner Diageo, Cascade Blonde American Whiskey is “a new style of blonde American whiskey that’s incredibly smooth, lighter in color and easier to drink than floating downstream.” Made using “a double chill filtration process, high-corn mash bill and limestone filtered water fresh from Cascade Spring in Tullahoma, Tenn.,” the whiskey is made at…
Review: Good Idea: The Swedish Sugar Buster Mixers
The awkwardly named Good Idea: The Swedish Sugar Buster is a mixer with a focus on trying to get you to drink healthier, layering in “five specific amino acids” and “a hint of chromium” to help reduce post-meal blood sugar from spiking, with studies showing a reduction of up to 30 percent. As the name…
Review: Nikka Whisky from the Barrel (Japan vs. U.S. Bottlings)
Nikka’s Whisky from the Barrel has been a global sensation since it was introduced over 30 years ago — with one problem: It hasn’t been available in the U.S. Until now. At long last, this coveted — yet surprisingly affordable — blended whiskey is making its way to the United States. If you aren’t familiar…
Review: NV Amelia Brut Rose Cremant de Bordeaux
Cremant is an almost foamy style of sparkling wine typically associated with the Alsace region of France, but they make Cremant in Bordeaux, too. They have a lot in common, at least judging by this Cremant, made from 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. Rich notes of strawberries and cream emerge on the lightly toasty,…
