Review: Pyramid Outburst Berry Tart IPA
The name’s a bit misleading: Pyramid Outburst Berry Tart is not particularly tart (aka sour) at all. Rather, this beer takes Pyramid’s Outburst Imperial IPA and adds in hibiscus, cranberries, and black currants to give it a fruity kick. While designed to be “adventurous,” Outburst Berry Tart is surprisingly tame, with an initial rush of earthy/piney…
Review: 4 Mezcals from Craft Distillers – Mezcalero #18 and #19, Mezcalero Special #3, and Los Nahaules Metodo Antiguo
A full quartet of special mezcals from our friends at Craft Distillers, each with its own special provenance. We’ll discuss the particulars of each one in turn. Mezcalero Release #18 – “Don Valente’s masterful blend of Espadin with three wild/semi-wild agaves — Bicuishe, Madrecuishe, and Mexicano. This beauty spent 4 years in tank.” Savory, peppery, almost…
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…
