Review: 2013 Craggy Range Pinot Noir Te Muna Road Vineyard
This Kiwi pinot offers an austerity that brings with it notes of roasted meats and leather, cut through with strong notes of tea leaf and cassis. While big and powerful on thee body, the finish takes a turn for the darker, with subtle hints of coffee and cloves. A sturdy wine; best at mealtime. B…
Recipes: Warming Winter Cocktails for 2017
It may be the winter of our discontent, but that doesn’t mean you can’t drink like a king. If you’re tired of the same cold weather cocktails to warm you, try these recipes for something to brighten your mood and thrill your taste buds. Blood Orange Blazer 8 parts brewed hibiscus tea 2 parts Banks…
Review: Boondocks American Whiskey and Cask Strength Whiskey
Boondocks is the brainchild of Whisky Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dave Scheurich, a veteran of the business who’s launching his own little project. It’s rather unique, so follow closely. Boondocks American Whiskey is made from a mash of corn, rye, and malted barley, but it’s not bourbon. Distilled to a higher proof than bourbon allows,…
Review: Crispin Hard Cider – Original, Pacific Pear, and Bourbon Char
New stuff from the cider mavens at Crispin, including a new limited release called Bourbon Char, and two of the company’s primary offerings, which are now available in standard six packs. We looked at all three. Thoughts follow. Crispin Original Hard Cider – A fresh, apple-loaded classic, semisweet and fruity, but restrained with notes of crisp…
![four pillars NSG 750ml[1] (Large)](https://www.drinkhacker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/four-pillars-NSG-750ml1-Large-1-e1485215868987.jpg "four pillars NSG 750ml[1] (Large)")
Review: Four Pillars Rare Dry and Navy Strength Gin
Four Pillars is a new distillery based near Melbourne, Australia. Inspired by American craft distilling, the company is focused exclusively on gin — with at least eight expressions under its belt in just three years — and its products are now coming to the U.S. (The four pillars in question are largely symbolic (the fourth…
Review: Skyy Infusions Bartlett Pear Vodka
Sorry, Bosc! The latest Skyy vodka flavor is designed to taste like Bartlett pears — Bartletts only! What does one do with pear vodka? Well, try it in anything where you’d otherwise use apple, for starters. Or check out the cocktails at the end of the post for additional ideas. Pear-flavored spirits always come across a bit…
Review: Lost Spirits Distillery Navy Style Rum (2017)
Lost Spirits (which I’ve written about extensively) never seems to rest, and the company’s scientific obsession with the science of accelerating aging is second to none. Case in point: Head honcho Bryan Davis is the only distiller I know that has given a TED Talk. In shorts, no less. While Lost Spirits is hard at…
Book Review: The Bar Cart Bible
Enduring Mad Men symbology and ’50s/’60s nostalgia are bringing back yet another nifty idea from yesteryear: The rolling bar cart that lets you turn cocktail hour into a moveable feast. The Bar Cart Bible (no author listed, oddly), is designed with simple cocktails in mind. The 350 drinks included can all be made on the go,…
