Review: ‘Merican Mule (2017)
The Moscow Mule does not exactly have a reputation as a difficult cocktail to make: Vodka, ginger beer, a squeeze of lime. Sourcing the copper cup is typically the hardest part of this drink to master, in fact. Never ye mind, though: Some entrepreneurial types out of Long Beach, California decided to can this sucker,…
Review: A. Smith Bowman Isaac Bowman Port-Barrel Finished Bourbon
Virginia’s A. Smith Bowman seems to have no shortage of relatives under whom it can bottle whiskey. Abraham, John, “Bowman Brothers”… they all have spirits made in their honor. Now it’s Isaac’s turn, with a bourbon finished in Port casks. Officially known as Isaac Bowman Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Barrels, this is a NAS…
Review: Wines of Wakefield, 2017 Releases
Wakefield Winery is actually Taylors Winery, but they are not permitted to use the family name in much of the Northern Hemisphere due to trademark restrictions. Located in the Clare Valley of South Australia, the winery was opened in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. and his sons Bill Jr. and John, and the family still…
Review: Kilbeggan Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Venerable Irish brand Kilbeggan (the oldest in Ireland) — see our coverage of its standard blend here — has largely been a single-product operation for most of its existence. Things are on the move here, though, as Kilbeggan has just launched a single grain whiskey to expand the portfolio. What’s single grain? Kilbeggan reminds us:…
Tasting Lodi Zinfandel, 2017 Releases – Michael David, Fields Family, Ironstone, and Harney Lane
November 15 was National Zinfandel Day, and there’s nowhere that is more associated with zinfandel than Lodi, California. In honor of the occasion, LOCA — the trade group for Lodi — got four winemakers together to present their recent releases — all old vine bottlings — and talk about all things zin. Here’s a look…
Review: Laphroaig 27 Years Old
Laphroaig 25 Years Old is a watershed bottling from the Islay distillery — what then to make of the oddball Laphroaig 27 Years Old, which dropped as a complete surprise just a few weeks ago. 27 years vs. 25 years? Could the differences be that extreme? Let’s take a look at this brand new expression,…
Review: 2015 Stephane Aviron Cru Beaujolais – Fleurie, Morgon, and Chenas
Just because it’s November and a wine drinker’s thoughts are turning to Beaujolais, doesn’t mean you have to drink Nouveau. With that in mind, importer Frederick Wildman and Sons presents these alternatives — cru Beaujolais which are far more interesting than the typical Nouveau release, but which remain highly affordable. Some preliminary notes from Wildman…
Review: Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye
Ready for the absolutely craziest thing to come out of whiskeydom since Alberta Rye Dark Batch? Get ready for Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye! The gist: Like Basil Hayden’s flagship bourbon, Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye stands out from the crowd. Blending Kentucky straight rye whiskey and Canadian rye with a splash of California port, Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye is…
