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…
Review: Jim Beam Repeal Batch
For its next big release, Jim Beam is turning to that old touchstone — the Repeal of Prohibition, which celebrates its 85th anniversary this December. Jim Beam Repeal Batch is appropriately old-timey — both outside the bottle and within. Some details: Today, Jim Beam, the world’s No. 1 bourbon, is announcing the release of Jim…
Review: 2016 Lucienne Pinot Noirs
Hahn Family Wines produces a separate label of high-end, single vineyard pinot noirs, all produced from estate fruit grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands. (They also grow chardonnay here, but we did not receive this wine for review.) Here’s a look at the 2016 vintage of Lucienne. 2016 Lucienne Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Smith…
Review: New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon
When we reviewed New Riff Distillery’s sourced bourbon, O.K.I., back in February, we mentioned that it wouldn’t be released beyond fall 2018 to make way for the distillery’s own products. Well, the wait is over, at least for New Riff’s house-distilled bourbon. Before we dive into our sample, here’s what the folks at New Riff…
Review: Weihenstephaner Korbinian, 2018 Festbier, and Sierra Nevada 2018 Oktoberfest Collaboration
As Octoberfest heats up, we look at three seasonally-appropriate beers from the world’s oldest brewery, Weihenstephaner, including one collaboration with California’s Sierra Nevada. Oompah! Weihenstephaner Korbinian – A monstrous doppelbock with intense notes of chocolate, figs, and burnt caramel, grab a pint of this and put a pretzel in hand and you’re ready for Octoberfest…
Review: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2018 Edition
For its 18th edition of Birthday Bourbon, Old Forester is boosting the proof to 101 — the highest in the series to date. Here’s some basic information from the folks at OldFo: Old Forester is celebrating its time-honored tradition of releasing Birthday Bourbon to commemorate Founder George Garvin Brown’s birthday on September 2. This year…
