Review: 2013 Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Rutherford’s Sequoia Grove is known for its rather restrained cabernets, and this 2013 vintage is no exception, offering a dusty approach with ample tannin and some lumberyard notes. Eventually currant and blackberry notes manage to push their way through, but it’s a fight through a considerable amount of earth and tanned leather before we get…
Review: Michter’s Single Barrel Straight Rye 10 Years Old 2017
Michter’s first release of 2017 is here, and it’s got a special significance because it is new Master Distiller Pamela Heilmann’s first bottling, a 10 year old expression of Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye. As Michter’s notes, she is “the first woman since Prohibition to serve as Master Distiller at a Kentucky Distillers’ Association distillery.” Now Michter’s did…
How Patrón Turns Technology into Tequila
High-tech has finally made its way to the agave fields of Jalisco, where Patrón is working to leverage tech to bring drinkers around the world closer to the brand. The first technology involves VR, in which Patrón showcases the company,and production facilities in virtual reality. Using a Samsung Gear VR Virtual Reality Headset with a…
Review: Barr an Uisce Wicklow and 1803 Irish Whiskey
God bless the Irish for unleashing a whiskey brand called “Barr an Uisce” on the unsuspecting world stage. The lessons of Wyborowa Vodka have already been forgotten. Barr an Uisce (translation: “under over the water”) produces two whiskeys, a grain/malt blend and a single malt with a 10 year old age statement. Launched in 2016,…
Attention Austin: Drinkhacker and Lucid Absinthe Want Your Absinthe Cocktails!
Ten years ago this March, the effective ban on the sale of absinthe in the U.S. was finally lifted, formally legalizing the sale of one of the most mysterious and enigmatic spirits ever produced, marking the end of nearly a century of unwarranted persecution. When absinthe came back, it came back with a vengeance, with…
Does Glass Shape Affect the Way a Whiskey Tastes?
A common question we get here at Drinkhacker is whether glass shape actually matters; does it really change the taste of your drink of choice? In order to get to the bottom of this, we decided to have a small whiskey tasting, to try out a single whiskey in three differently-shaped glasses and see how…
Recipes: A Taste of New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2017
Can’t make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras this week? Break up the end of winter blues with a good ol’ celebration featuring these seven cocktails. Don’t forget the bead strings, jazz music, and a big pot of jambalaya (Emeril’s recipe is after the drinks). Smoke Stack Sazerac 1 ½ parts Monkey Shoulder whiskey 1/5…
Review: 12 Beers from New Belgium, Early 2017 Releases
Today it’s a little bit of “something old, something new” from New Belgium, which released no less than 12 beers on tap for us to experience over the last few months… including a bizarre collaboration with none other than Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Read on for reviews of everything… New Belgium Pilsener – A “Bohemian…
