Review: 2017 Prophecy Rose Vin de France
Though the Prophecy line of wines spans the globe, this expression comprises simple stuff from the south of France — a light and lively wine that finds room for strawberries and simple hibiscus notes, and a smattering of green herbs. Clean, acidic, and citrus-forward on the finish, with hints of almond notes. A great wine…
Review: Old Overholt Bonded Straight Rye Whiskey (2018)
Beam Suntory’s venerable Old Overholt rye whiskey brand gets an extension and upgrade with this new bottled-in-bond expression, which ups the proof to 100, ensures the production is from a “single season” (not a blend), and guarantees it has spent at least 4 years in barrel. Otherwise, the distillery says the new Old Overholt Bonded…
Review: Drake’s Flyway Pils
San Leandro, California-based Drake’s Brewing steps away from the double IPAs and looks toward northern Germany with Flyway, a crisp pilsner. Previously a draft-only beer, Flyway is now available in bottles. A little detail: Inspired by the Pacific Flyway, a major migratory path for birds that extends from Alaska to Patagonia, and a nod to the unofficial…
Review: WhistlePig FarmStock Rye Whiskey Crop 002
After years of relying exclusively on sourced spirits, WhistlePig began bottling its own whiskey — haltingly — with last year’s release of FarmStock Rye Crop 001. FarmStock was hardly a grain-to-glass release, as it was blended with WhistlePig’s much older, sourced stock, but it was a start at least. That start continues with FarmStock Rye Crop…
Review: NV Stella Prosecco DOC
With a name and label clearly designed for “FUN!,” Stella doesn’t look like much, but inside the bottle it’s got decent enough street cred. Slightly sweet from the start, the wine is loaded with notes of tinned pears, buttery pie crust, and green apples on the finish. A great choice for cocktails that require a…
Tasting the Wines of Australia’s McGuigan, 2018 Releases
McGuigan is a major wine producer in Australia, crushing 6% of the country’s harvest each year and standing as the #1 wine seller in its homeland. And yet its wines aren’t sold in the U.S. — until now. Rolling out this year you’ll find McGuigan’s The Plan, a line of low-cost wines designed to fight…
Review: 2016 McCay Cellars Rose Lodi
This rose of grenache is extremely dry, showing mild fruit and lots of herbs. The fruit exudes more of a gentle cherry tone than a strawberry one, all leading to a surprisingly tannic finish. Fans of bone dry whites who eschew headache-inducing sweetness in any form should give this a spin. B / $18 / mccaycellars.com Related…
Review: The Balvenie Peat Week 14 Years Old 2003
Much like Shark Week, Peat Week is proving to be an annual affair at The Balvenie. If you don’t remember the story, Peat Week is a special release from this Speyside distillery, made from barley that is dried with smoked peat, a production run that is undertaken for only one week each year. Peated whisky…
