Review: Navazos-Palazzi Bota Punta Spanish Malt Whisky and Overseas Malt Whisky
It may surprise you to know that a handful of Spanish distilleries have been making whisky since the 1960s. Not much of that whisky makes it to our side of the pond, but some of it is available from Navazos-Palazzi, a joint venture between merchant bottler Nicolas Palazzi and the famed sherry brand Equipo Navazos.…
Review: Wines of the Locations Series, 2018
We’ve covered Dave Phinney’s Locations Series wines (the brand was acquired by Gallo earlier today) a couple of times, but if you missed those reviews, the concept is simple: Phinney sources wine from, well, everywhere (including Texas), blends them, and releases them as nonvintage wines, intended to express the (very) general terroir of an entire region,…
Review: Flaviar Frerot XO Cognac Assemblage de Crus
Online retailer Flaviar is no stranger to bespoke spirits, having released (among others) its own heavily peated Scotch previously. Next up is Cognac, a blended spirit called Frerot. Launching this Spring, Frérot XO Cognac Assemblage de Crus gives rise to a new order in the world of fine spirits –a Cognac created by the people.…
Review: 2017 Fleur de Mer Cotes de Provence Rose
Uncomplicated but lively, this simple French rose peppers its acidic core with some very gentle fruit as well as a slightly surprising floral-herbal component. The winemakers say lavender, and that’s as close as I can come to an appropriate descriptor. Thoughts of fresh linens and sea breezes carry you through to the easygoing, summery finish.…
Review: Don Ciccio & Figli Cerasum Cherry Liqueur
Cherry liqueur has not traditionally received a standing ovation in the cocktail world. While liqueurs like Peter Heering have their place, unless you’re making a Singapore Sling they’re hardly a go-to ingredient. As such, most cherry liqueurs tend to gather dust on the back bar, all but ignored. Cerasum, from the mad artisans at Don…
Review: 2016 Peltier Rouge Rose
Peltier is based in California’s Lodi, and this rose is a “rouge” version of cabernet sauvignon. The result is a very dark rose, with a bit of classically-cabernet tannin still gripping to the wine. Notes of mango, orange peel, and strawberry are intriguing foils to a bittersweet core, with hints of salted caramel emerging on…
Review: Great Women Spirits – Walewska Vodka, Lovelace Gin, and Agnesi Brandy
I guess this was inevitable: One of the biggest wine producers in California, Francis Ford Coppola, decided to make spirits, too. Three of them, in fact, all named after famous women of history, a nod to the many great women that have impacted Coppola’s life and career. The spirits include a vodka, gin, and brandy…
Review: Samuel Adams Summer 2018 Releases
The ever-inventive Sam Adams is out with its latest passel of brews, all designed for summer sipping. Here’s a look at a quintet of barley-based goodies. Samuel Adams Summer Ale (2018) – This venerable wheat ale, brewed with lemon peel and grains of paradise, comes across as more refreshing and balanced than it has in…
