Review: American Harvest Vodka Specialty (2017)
It’s common for vodka to be sweetened up one way or another, but never will you find that this is actually mentioned on the label. American Harvest takes a different approach: This spirit mixes agave nectar into the vodka — and they actually tell you about it, right on the label. That’s some refreshing honesty,…
Review: 2014 Grgich Hills Chardonnay Napa Valley
40 years ago, Grgich Hills released its first chardonnay, a wine that has since become an icon of Napa Valley. Now, in honor of her father, current co-owner Violet Grgich has released the 40th anniversary bottling of Grgich Hills’ Chardonnay, which the winery describes as a “limited-production wine recalls an earlier style of Chardonnay, with…
Review: Martell VS Single Distillery Cognac
Ready for something new in the world of Cognac? Check out this new idea from the House of Martell. Allow them to explain: The iconic House of Martell unveils Martell VS Single Distillery, a cognac from a sole distillation source, offering an exclusive new profile to the Martell family of expressions. This innovative blend unites…
Cupping Coffee with Intelligentsia
There is no scent warmer and more inviting than that of coffee beans roasting. The moment we stepped through Intelligentsia’s front door, all traffic woes were forgotten in favor of a good mood. We knew the afternoon would only get better. We walked past huge bags of newly roasted coffee beans and paused a moment…
Memorial Day Cocktails, 2017
If you’re like us, this long Memorial Day holiday weekend is much anticipated. We want to kick off this holiday of remembrance and thankfulness with a set of cocktails to serve your veterans and those who honor them. What are cocktails without food to serve alongside? We’re sharing a chicken and chorizo dish you can…
Review: Black Cow Vodka
Black Cow Vodka is made in England, where the company says it produces “the world’s only Pure Milk Vodka made entirely from the milk of grass-grazed cows and nothing else.” I’m not sure how Vermont White and VDKA 6100 fit in with that claim — as they are both also from milk products — but let’s…
Review: Crown Royal Noble Collection Wine Barrel Finished
Crown Royal continues its limited edition, called the Noble Collection, which started with the Cornerstone Blend last year, with this second release, Crown Royal Noble Collection Wine Barrel Finished. What we have here is classic Crown Royal that is finished in cabernet sauvignon wine barrels sourced from Paso Robles (winery unstated). No other production data (including…
Review: 2015 Mia Bea Chardonnay and Petite Sirah
Barra Family Vineyards is a small, family-owned vineyard in Mendocino County. In 2014, the vineyard owners decided to use some of the harvest to make their own wine, a chardonnay. This year, they’ve expanded and are now offering their first red, a petite sirah. We tasted both wines from the newly released 2015 vintage. Thoughts…
