Review: Redemption The Ancients Collection Rye 18 Years Old
Diageo doesn’t have a monopoly on “orphan barrels,” it turns out. Redemption, which continues to turn out well-aged American whiskey, has launched a new collection of spirits called The Ancients, including an 18 year old rye (reviewed here) and a bourbon that, at 36 years old, stands as the oldest American whiskey I’ve ever even…
Review: 2015 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley
Martini’s lower-end cabernet doesn’t have the nuance of its Napa bottling, but as everyday reds go, it’s approachable enough to work on a typical Tuesday night. Intense flavors of red raspberry, cherry, and plum lead to a semi-sweet finish that is a bit candy-coated, with quite a chocolate-cherry-fueled finish. Best with food, which can cut…
Review: Diageo Orphan Barrel Project Entrapment Canadian Whisky 25 Years Old
Crown Royal is undoubtedly one of Diageo’s biggest brands. It only makes sense that some of this classic Canadian whisky would make its way to the company’s Orphan Barrel Project, a collection of oddball lots — usually very, very old — that receive a limited release once or twice a year. Some details from Diageo…
Review: Firestone Walker Inferos
Firestone Walker offers a third release in its “Leo v. Ursus Chronology”: Inferos, an unfiltered imperial rye IPA made with 25 percent rye in the mashbill and 4.7 pounds of hops per barrel. “The remainder of the malt bill includes ESB from Gambrinus malting, as well as Weyermann Carafa malt. Carafa is a specialty malt…
Review: Watershed Distillery Four Peel Gin and Bourbon Barrel Gin
Watershed Distillery got its start in Columbus, Ohio back in 2010, and today the operation is pumping out vodka, gin, bourbon, nocino(!), and a bottled Old Fashioned. Today we look at the company’s two gins, an unaged version with modern styling, and a bourbon barrel aged expression. Watershed Distillery Four Peel Gin – Distilled from…
Review: 2015 Smoke Tree Pinot Noir Sonoma County
The name is apropos: This wine brings together intense fruit and a smokiness that laces up the sweeter elements into a surprisingly cohesive whole. Cherries up top and a leathery underneath — this is a wine that cries to be paired with a nice piece of salmon or duck. B+ / $25 / smoketreewines.com Related posts:…
Review: Redemption Aged Barrel Proof Straight Rye 10 Years Old, High-Rye 10 Years Old, and Bourbon 9 Years Old (2017)
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of Redemption Rye’s Barrel Proof lineup, which comprises a series of three different whiskeys, released roughly once a year. Complicating matters are the fact that those whiskeys haven’t always been the same types of spirit. In 2015 it was three straight ryes. Today the lineup includes the same…
Review: 2015 Landmark Vineyards Overlook Pinot Noir
This 2015 pinot (made from 51% Santa Barbara County, 26% Sonoma County, and 23% Monterey County grapes) lands on the meaty side of the street, which is unusual for Landmark’s normally fruit-centric profile. Give it some air and a healthy swirl and you’ll find that cherry and vanilla cola notes bubble up on the palate, though…
