Review: Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2023)
The John Wayne-inspired Duke spirits brand got its start back in 2015, complete with a stylized portrait of the man on the label, just so you didn’t get confused about which Duke they were talking about. Since then, the Duke lineup has expanded from a single bourbon to more American whiskeys as well as tequila,…
Review: Balcones Cataleja
Waco’s Balcones Distilling recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, and to mark the occasion it, what else, released a new whiskey. Cataleja is a new, limited edition single malt that head distiller Jared Himstedt says is “one of the most complex and unique whiskies we’ve made.” Here’s how Cataleja, Spanish for spyglass, is produced. Made with…
Review: Brugal Rum 1888 and Coleccion Visionaria Edicion 01, Cacao (2023)
The latest rum brand to move upmarket is the Dominican Republic’s Brugal, which recently dropped its first ultra-premium limited edition release, the first in a new line of rums called Colección Visionaria. The idea here: use a new “Aromatic Cask Toasting technique” to infuse barrels with an unexpected but complementary flavor — in this case,…
Review: Wines of Portugal’s Alentejo, Winter 2024 Releases
One of our favorite places to revisit and explore is the southern Alentejo (ah-len-tay-zhoo) region of Portugal. Renowned for its versatility, the region cultivates over 250 varietals across a range of climates and altitudes. It is also a very budget-flexible region, offering something suitable at a wide range of price points. Before adjourning for the…
Review: Copper & Kings Kentucky Straight Bourbon
The spirits portfolio from Kentucky’s Copper & Kings has been a bit all over the place since they started distilling a decade ago. While mostly focusing on brandy in numerous forms and finishes, they’ve also dabbled with gins, absinthe, and even triple sec. But despite distilling in downtown Louisville, the beating heart of America’s bourbon…
Review: Filibuster Dual Cask Rye
Filibuster Distillery, located in Maurertown, Virginia, has made it their signature process to age whiskey in more than one cask, often to amazing effect. Their Filibuster Dual Cask Rye, accordingly, starts in new American oak and then is finished in French oak barrels. When the rye was first released, it was sourced whiskey, but now…
Review: Martingale Cognac
There’s a new Cognac on the market, and it’s trying very hard to appeal to a younger generation of brandy drinker. Despite the hipper approach to a very old drink, Martingale Cognac retains the pedigree of a heritage brand. It is the product of Guillaume and Amaury Thomas, fourth generation Cognac-makers whose family distillery has…
Review: Lost Lantern Fall 2023 Single Cask Releases
Indie bottler Lost Lantern‘s latest set of releases focus on old friends from America, with four distilleries returning to the fold. Alongside sequels from Balcones Distilling (TX), Smooth Ambler (WV), New Riff (KY), and Corbin Cash (CA) is a new bottling from what Lost Lantern says its most-requested new partner, Andalusia Whiskey Co. (TX). All…
