Review: Jordan 2014 Chardonnay and 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Iconic Sonoma winery Jordan has two new releases on tap. Let’s listen in… 2014 Jordan Chardonnay Russian River Valley – A crisp and citrusy chardonnay, aromatic and fresh, with notes of peaches and apricots, with lemon juice on the finish. The butter and oak notes add body but only to a degree — on the…
Review: Stonecutter Spirits Single Barrel Gin
Stonecutter Spirits is based in Middlebury, Vermont, and this is the company’s signature product, a gin matured in former bourbon barrels. The botanical bill, source of the barrels, and length of aging isn’t revealed — aside from the note that juniper, orange peel, and cardamom are used (which doesn’t tell us a whole lot). Stonecutter’s…
Review: Beers of New Belgium, 2016 Releases
A monster collection of seasonals, limiteds, sours — and two gluten-reduced bottlings — from Fort Collins, CO and Asheville, NC-based New Belgium. Let’s dig right in. New Belgium Side Trip Belgian Style Pale Ale – A modernized Belgian ale, made (in America) with Belgian malts, hops, and yeast. Bready and malty up front, the initial sweetness fades…
Review: Samuel Adams Spring 2016 Releases
Seven new releases from our friends at the Boston Beer Company, including a number of Brewmaster’s Collection releases and two additions to the Rebel IPA group. Thoughts follow. Samuel Adams Crystal Pale Ale – An pale ale made with Crystal hops, fairly representative of the style. Rather earthy up front, this hoppy brew offers notes…
Review: Don Q Rum Signature Release Single Barrel 2005
Destileria Serralles, producer of Don Q Rum in Puerto Rico, has just launched its latest expression: A vintage rum that was distilled in 2005 and spent 10 years in barrel. The first of a new line of single-barrel releases (a first for Don Q; a 2007 release comes out next year), this rum is a…
Review: Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength
It’s probably long overdue, but one of the biggest success stories in bourbon is finally coming out with a barrel strength release. Bulleit Barrel Strength is made from the same high-rye mashbill as its primary expression (roughly 1/3 rye), with no age statement provided. Batches will vary in alcohol content, but will hover around 60%…
Review: Woodchuck Cherry Barrel Aged, Day Chaser, and Campfire Pancakes Hard Cider
Three new seasonals from nonstop cider-churner Woodchuck. Let’s dive in to three very different expressions! Woodchuck Private Reserve Cherry Barrel Aged Hard Cider – Made from Michigan cherries and aged in Napa cabernet sauvignon barrels. Crisp and tart cherry from start to finish, with just a hint of nutty character and some malt for…
Review: Collingwood Canadian Whisky (2016)
After a recent rebranding, we felt it was time to take a fresh look at the standard bottling of Collingwood Canadian Whisky, which we last reviewed on its original release in 2011. While the decanter has been updated to look a bit less like a perfume bottle (namely through the ditching of the plastic cover that…
