Review: 2015 Pighin Pinot Grigio Friuli
This Friuli-sourced pinot grigio offers some of the usual tropical fruit notes, with ample acidity, but it is weighed down by a significant vegetal character that is particularly present on the nose. The finish winds things up with a brisk, almost sour, finish — but also a touch of mushroom. It’s a nice value, but…
Review: Auchroisk 25 Years Old Limited Edition 2016
This third-ever release of Diageo’s Special Release of Speyside-based Auchroisk was distilled in 1990 and aged in a mix of refill American oak and refill European oak casks. See also Diageo’s two prior Auchroisk releases in 2010 and 2012. The nose is mild and quite restrained, with light notes of iodine, roasted grain, baked apples, and…
Review: Wines of Frank Family Vineyards, 2016 Releases
Three new reds from Frank Family, vying for a spot on your winter table. 2014 Frank Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Carneros – A darker and denser pinot than we’ve come to expect from Carneros, complete with notes of bittersweet chocolate, licorice root, and gritty charcoal. Good thing there’s ample fruit to keep all of…
Review: Mannochmore 25 Years Old Limited Edition 2016
This unusual whisky in the Diageo Special Release series hails from a young Speyside distillery (established in 1971) that is largely unknown for single malt production, at least under its own name. While most Mannochmore produced ends up in Johnnie Walker, the distillery is probably best known for producing Loch Dhu, widely regarded as the…
Review: Stone Enjoy By 12.25.16 Unfiltered IPA and Xocoveza
More new stuff from Stone, just in time for Christmas. Stone Enjoy By 12.25.16 Unfiltered IPA – Like Stone’s other “Enjoy By” IPAs, this beer has a limited shelf life of a matter of weeks. For Christmas, Stone’s limited edition bottling is stuffed full of a whopping 12 different varieties of hops and is bottled…
Review: Glenkinchie 24 Years Old Limited Edition 2016
A rarity in the Diageo Special Release series, Glenkinchie is a Lowland distillery that has appeared only three times in the lineup. This expression was distilled in 1991 and aged in refill European oak butts. The nose is darker than your typical Speyside whisky, showing notes of oily walnut, furniture polish, pumpkin, and dried fruits.…
Review: 2014 Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Quilt is the first cabernet from Copper Cane Wines company, founded by Joseph Wagner (son of Chuck Wagner of Caymus fame; Joe launched and sold the unfathomably successful Meiomi). Given Wagner’s depth of experience with cab, a lot of eyes are on Quilt’s inaugural release to see if lightning can strike yet again. Let’s see!…
Review: Caol Ila Unpeated 15 Years Old Limited Edition 2016
In recent years Diageo has been experimenting with unusual, unpeated expressions of Caol Ila — typically 14 to 17 years old — for its Special Release series. 2016 marks a another stab at the style, Caol Ila, breaking from tradition. Unpeated or no, there’s still a hint of smoke here — giving the whisky a decidedly Highland…
