Review: Pittyvaich 25 Years Old Limited Edition 2015
Why don’t you know anything about Pittyvaich? Because the Speyside distillery was built in 1975 and torn down in 1993. As Diageo notes, this Special Edition release, distilled in 1989, survived longer than the distillery itself did. Aged in refill American oak and first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, this is classic non-sherried Speyside from start to finish.…
Review: Dalwhinnie 25 Years Old Limited Edition 2015
When we covered the 2015 Diageo Special Releases, we were bummed to receive samples of only 6 of the 9 malts released this year. Then, out of the blue, the final three in the series showed up on the doorstep. At last, we are able to present our coverage of the late 2015 releases…
Review: High West Bourye (2016)
One of the icons of new wave distilling is back: High West Bourye, which is returning to limited release right about now. The 2016 Bourye is, as always, a touch different from its forebears. This version of the now-classic bourbon and rye blend features a mashup of 9-year-old straight bourbon (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley malt),…
Book Review: The Year of Drinking Adventurously
Writer Jeff Cioletti wants you to put down the Budweiser and the shot of JD. “Drinking adventurously” means exploring the vast array of beverages the world has to offer, and Cioletti guides you through 52 of them in a guidebook that is meant to be consumed one chapter (and type of drink) each week. Cioletti…
Review: Lillet Rose
There’s a third (and while it’s not new, it’s the newest) member of the Lillet aromatic wine family: Lillet Rose, which rides the line between the crisp Lillet Blanc and the dark red Lillet Rouge. Lillet Rose is a moderate pink in hue, and it fits right in between these two classic apertif wines. Made…
Review: McMenamins Edgefield Hogshead and Monkey Puzzle Whiskey
Two new whiskeys from McMenamins’ Edgefield Distillery in Troutdale, Oregon. Let’s take a spin through this pair of limited edition spirits available directly from the distillery and its various gift shops. McMenamins Edgefield Hogshead Whiskey – “Pure pot distilled from 100% malted barley,” per the label. Since “pure pot still” — in the Irish sense…
Review: Praga Vodka
This new vodka brand comes to us from — wait for it — Prague, where it is distilled from winter wheat. It’s a sweeter style of vodka, though it isn’t blown out as some other new world vodkas tend to be. You get the sugar on the nose, along with a gentle graininess and a…
Review: Bloomery SweetShine Liqueurs
West Virginia-based Bloomery takes a unique, yet wholly appropriate, approach to creating its 10 liqueurs: Rather than using a grain neutral spirit for its base, Bloomery uses moonshine — at least that’s how the story goes. Starting with 190 proof ‘shine, cane sugar, and local water, Bloomery’s SweetShine concoctions are flavored with local fruits, roots,…
