Recipes for National Gin and Tonic Day 2017
When we were buying extra gin and tonic water to make the recipes below, the checkout clerk noticed our items and started singing. He said he belongs to a group that perform songs from the burlesque era and said many of them are about gin and tonic. So, in a way we celebrate a bit…
Review: Nightshade Margarita Classic Lime
Nightshade — officially “Nightshade Experience” is a new brand of ready-to-drink margaritas which are made from premium ingredients. The Classic Lime, reviewed here, includes blue agave silver tequila (not necessarily 100% blue agave tequila, mind you), triple sec, and lime — which is lumped in with “a unique mixture of natural flavors.” The margarita —…
Review: Mezan Single Distillery Rum – Guyana 2005 and Panama 2006
We last wrote about Mezan in 2015, when we looked at its XO Jamaica bottling. The rums here are something a bit different. While the Jamaica is a blend of various distilleries’ products, these two rums are sourced from single distilleries (“some founded centuries ago, others no longer in operation”) and, in fact, from single…
Recipes for National Tartan Day 2017
Today, April 6, is National Tartan Day, which began in 1998 to celebrate people of Scottish and Scottish-Irish roots. With over 11 million members, the Scots are the eighth largest ethnic group in America. Rob Roys, Rusty Nails, and Drambuie Collins may be the go-to cocktails when thinking of Scottish cocktails — but try out these…
Review: Aberlour A’bunadh Highland Single Malt Batch 54
Aberlour’s cask strength A’bunadh release is a special one among single malts, as it is released in serialized batches — now at least on #58. The construction is always the same — again, cask strength whisky, 100% ex-oloroso sherry barrel aged — but each batch varies in proof and, apparently, in flavor. Notably, there’s no…
Review: The Exclusive Malts Batch #12 – Glen Moray 2007, Balmenach 2003, Benrinnes 1995, Invergordon 1972
It’s been a couple of years — and far too long — since we’ve checked in with the independent bottlers at The Exclusive Malts, which are now on release #12 of their series of generally exceptional outturns. Today we look at four of the selections from this periodic release. Thoughts follow. The Exclusive Malts Glen Moray…
Review: Gin Lane 1751 ‘Old Tom’ Gin and ‘Victoria’ Pink Gin
Gin Lane 1751 produces four varieties of gin, all pot-distilled in London, but spanning a range of styles. Some info: Gin Lane 1751 has been created by Charles Maxwell of Thames Distillers, an eighth generation distiller, and The Bloomsbury Club – a group of gin lovers and drinks industry professionals. Its name signifies an important…
Review: 2016 Balletto Rose of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Balletto’s 2016 rose of pinot noir is an improvement over the 2014 version we last saw, offering a more restrained berry fruit profile that is a nice foil to some lively acidity, with ample lemon and grapefruit character, particularly on the fun and aromatic finish. Drinks more like a crisp white than a lushly fruit-driven rose.…
