Review: NY Distilling Co. Jaywalk Straight Rye
Brooklyn’s NY Distilling Co. recently announced the release of three different rye expressions, all using a unique grain that harkens back to 17th-century New York State. Jaywalk Rye utilizes Horton Rye, a grain smaller in size than traditional rye used for whiskey making. NY Distilling’s Allen Katz and Tom Potter partnered with Cornell University to…
Review: The ImpEx Collection Edition Three – 4 Mezcal Expressions (2023 Releases)
Previously we brought you a look at the six indie-bottled whiskies in edition three of the ImpEx Collection — now we’re carrying on with the bottler’s first foray into mezcal. The line comprises four different expressions from two distillers, using four different subspecies of agave. Let’s get into it. The ImpEx Collection Mezcal Felipe Cortes,…
Review: Rodney Strong Reserve Wines, 2024 Releases
Today we look at a trio of wines from Sonoma’s Rodney Strong — all part of its Reserve line. (You’ll recognize them by the black labels embossed with gold script.) 2021 Rodney Strong Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – Hearty and rich, with bold notes of black cherry, cola, and black tea, it’s a…
The Top 10 Gins of 2023
As the weather warms up, a young man’s fancy turns of course to lighter fare, with gin one of the most essential pieces of the springtime cocktail puzzle. We sampled plenty of outstanding gins over the last year, and with this feature we profile the greatest hits of 2023. Need more picks? Check our top…
Review: Khor Vodka – Ice and De Luxe (2024)
Ukraine’s Khortytsa (we reviewed the Platinum expression in 2016) is now just “Khor” — presumably an attempt to make the name easier to pronounce. Not a bad idea; I have trouble typing it, too. But Khortytsa, er, Khor, actually has three expressions, the other two of which we are finally reviewing today. Both are 80…
Review: Creador Mezcal, 2023 Releases
In the widening world of mezcal, artisanal expressions made by hand with traditional methods are increasingly the best places to find unique flavors and superior quality. And it doesn’t get more handmade than Creador which dropped their second set of bottlings late last fall. The deets: Each of the six new expressions is milled by…
Review: 2021 Lovatelli Barbera d’Asti DOCG
This is our first time out with Lovatelli, a producer of both barbera and primitivo wines. This 2021 release is a pretty, clean, and approachable barbera, heavy on the nose with its notes of rosemary and white pepper. Balanced on the palate — though a bit weedy — the cherry-focused fruit elements keep the wine…
Review: Mash & Mallow S’mores Whiskey
Mash & Mallow looks on the surface like any old industrial flavored booze product, right? I mean… s’mores whiskey? Come on. Turns out the product is made by none other than Kaveh Zamanian, the man behind Rabbit Hole Bourbon and no slouch when it comes to quality spirits. So maybe there’s something to this after…
