Review: Bully Boy Distillers Estate Gin (2016)
We’ve written about a number of products from Boston-based Bully Boy Distillers. Today we turn our attention to the company’s gin, a unique offering in the world of this juniper-infused spirit. First, some details from the company: We start with a base of neutral grain and apple brandy, which we make from distilled hard cider…
Review: Beaujolais Wines of Georges Duboeuf, 2015 Vintage
Georges Duboeuf is an icon of France’s Beaujolais, and every year around this time the winery’s new releases hit the market. Today we look at six of them, including two offerings from Duboeuf’s Domaine selection — smaller producers owned by the winery and still bottled under their own labels. 2015 Georges Duboeuf Macon-Villages – Brisk…
Review: Martell Blue Swift Cognac
Finishing Cognac is officially a thing. Hot on the heels of Bache-Gabrielsen’s new oak-finished Cognac comes this spin from major Cognac house Martell, a VSOP Cognac that is finished in previously used Kentucky bourbon casks. No word on the length of the finishing, but Martell does say this: Martell Cognac’s latest offering represents the essence…
Review: Magic Hat Belgo Sutra Quadrupel (2016)
Magic Hat’s latest limited/seasonal is the latest installment of its monster of a Belgian-style dark ale, a quadrupel that is brewed with figs and dates to really pump up the intensity of the brew. The results are fascinating, if not entirely approachable at first. The beer drinks with sweet and bitter in relative balance, but…
Review: Boodles London Dry Gin
Founded in 1845, Boodles is a venerable, classic gin — and though it’s been off and on the market from time to time, it’s never been one you much hear about. Perhaps the name, which seems better suited for a cat than a gin, just doesn’t roll off the tongue the way, say, Beefeater does?…
Review: Graham’s Tawny Port 10 Years Old (2016)
Graham’s 10 year old tawny has been repackaged and relabeled in a squatter, fatter bottle since we last saw it in 2012, but little seems to have changed with this engaging, entry-level tawny. (Though prices are coming down a bit.) Prominent notes include the expected raisin notes, backed up by spicy gingerbread, cloves, and tea…
Review: WhistlePig “The Boss Hog III: The Independent” Rye Whiskey 14 Years Old 2016
As Raj Bhakta and WhistlePig contend with internal corporate squabbles (Update: the lawsuit has been settled, so war pigs can stand down), the company is plowing ahead, business as usual, continuing to plant rye on its own Vermont farm for eventual mashing and distillation into rye whiskey, while also continuing to release new products. Its…
Recipe: Never Die
The Tahona Society Cocktail Competition recently completed its sixth annual installment in Guadalajara, Mexico, with challengers tasked with crafting a unique libation using Olmeca Altos Tequila. We got a peek at the winning cocktail, Never Die, crafted by Kelsey Ramage of London’s Dandelyan. (Fortunately Olmeca Altos whipped up some mole orgeat for us in advance, but…
