Review: Ardbeg Anamorphic and Traigh Bhan 19 Years Old Batch 5 (2023)
Two new releases from Islay’s Ardbeg — the latest Committee Release, Anamorphic, and this year’s annual drop of Traigh Bhan, Ardbeg’s ever-shifting 19 year old expression. Details about each follow in turn. Ardbeg Anamorphic – The story with Anamorphic revolves around barrel charring. After removing the heads of classic Ardbeg bourbon casks, they were scored…
Review: Diageo Orphan Barrel Project Castle’s Curse Single Malt 14 Years Old
The latest from Diageo’s Orphan Barrel Project takes a return trip to Scotland in the form of the ominously named Castle’s Curse. Don’t worry, it’s not so scary: It’s just a 14 year old single malt from Teaninich, aged in sherry casks. Single malts from Teaninch are rare but not unheard of, as Diageo uses…
Review: 2019 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Goldrock Estate and Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon
Paul Hobbs has rapidly rose to prominence as one of the It Winemakers of California, perhaps because he appears to be so very versatile, producing winning bottlings across a range of styles and price points. Today we look at one of his flagship pinot noirs and a new cabernet released under his (slihtly) more affordable…
Ireland and Iberia: Kindred Spirits – An Interview with Irish Distillers’ Billy Leighton
Quick geography lesson for those who slept through it in school. The Iberian Peninsula is a region of southwestern Europe that includes most of Spain and Portugal, a tiny bit of southern France, and Gibraltar. Like Scotch, Irish whiskey has a long tradition of aging in ex-sherry casks that hail from this part of the…
Review: Wines and Cider of Dutton Estate, Late 2023 Releases
Dutton Estate recently dropped two collections of wines, and we’re combining them all into this one mega-review that spans 11 bottlings — plus the latest release of Dutton’s canned apple cider. Let’s jump right in to the lineup! 2022 Dutton Estate Chardonnay Morelli Lane Vineyard – Incredibly fruit-forward, melding melon and tropical notes with elements…
Review: La Maison & Velier Rums, Late 2023 Releases
We’re diving back in with three more new releases from La Maison & Velier, with three new rarities from the importer’s prized, limited edition stocks. Some single cask goodies here… along with some more readily available fare. Dig in. Habitation Velier Long Pond STCE 2007 Single Cask #10 – 15 years old, all ex-bourbon casks;…
Review: Fanny Fougerat Pineau des Charentes Le Colibri Charmant Blanc
If you’re still sleeping on Pineau des Charentes — essentially young wine blended with Cognac to fortify it — then it’s time to wake up. Here’s a new release from Fanny Fougerat made from ugni blanc grapes grown in Cognac and fortified with a bright, effusive brandy. The bottle is more evocative of spirits, with…
Review: Clyde May’s Conecuh Ridge Bourbon 5 Years Old (2023)
Ten years ago, bourbon distilled in Alabama was unheard of. When we reviewed the original Conecuh Ridge release from Clyde May’s in 2013, we had to explain that good bourbon didn’t come exclusively from Kentucky and that whiskey made in Alabama deserved a try. Happily, those days are long gone. Today, Clyde May’s is a well-known…
