Review: Wines of Opolo, 2024 Releases
We’ve been covering the wines of Paso Robles-based Opolo for years now, and today we look at five recent releases — all hearty, wintertime reds — from the operation. All hail from the 2021 vintage. 2021 Opolo Grand Rouge Red Blend Paso Robles – A blend of counoise, syrah, and grenache that punches well above…
Review: Bernheim Barrel Proof Original Wheat Whiskey Batch B923 (September 2023)
Heaven Hill’s second Barrel Proof release of its Bernheim wheat whiskey almost eluded us late last year, but we finally uncovered our sample just in time for the presumed arrival of the third release (and first of 2024), which is expected this month. It’s bottled at a slightly higher proof than A223, but otherwise there’s…
Review: High Camp Parkside Flask
I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve reviewed High Camp’s luxe flasks, but I don’t see much reason to stop, seeing as it keeps cranking out new products. The Parkside Flask is a big one — 750ml in size — which might clue you in to its intended purpose: Filling it up with wine.…
Review: Puncher’s Chance The Unified Belt
This is our fifth round with a Puncher’s Chance whiskey release, and this time out we’re getting something different from the brand’s creators at Wolf Spirit: The Unified Belt is a blend of three whiskeys — two bourbons and an Irish whiskey. This is the first transcontinental blend from the brand, though Irish-American combos are increasingly…
Review: Pollinator Crimson Amaro
New York’s Pollinator Spirits is the company behind Crimson Amaro, a Campari-like offering that is made entirely with ingredients grown in the state. The product starts with Pollinator’s own vodka — made from local corn and wildflower honey (hence “Pollinator”), and infused with a “secret blend of more than 15 botanicals, among them juniper, wormwood,…
Review: Suerte Blanco Tequila Still Strength
Suerte has emerged as a solid choice for 100% agave tequila, a Highlands offering with a fairly straightforward, balanced approach — and reasonable pricing. If you want to break away from the usual trio of expressions, consider this newish release from the brand — Suerte Blanco at “still strength,” a cracking 52% abv. There’s not…
Review: Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2023)
The John Wayne-inspired Duke spirits brand got its start back in 2015, complete with a stylized portrait of the man on the label, just so you didn’t get confused about which Duke they were talking about. Since then, the Duke lineup has expanded from a single bourbon to more American whiskeys as well as tequila,…
Review: Balcones Cataleja
Waco’s Balcones Distilling recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, and to mark the occasion it, what else, released a new whiskey. Cataleja is a new, limited edition single malt that head distiller Jared Himstedt says is “one of the most complex and unique whiskies we’ve made.” Here’s how Cataleja, Spanish for spyglass, is produced. Made with…
