Mezcal Amaras’ Luis Nino de Rivera Mesta on Trends, Challenges, and the Future of Mezcal
The popularity of agave spirits has exploded in recent years with mezcal showing particularly impressive growth. Unlike most tequila, however, mezcal is more of an artisanal product, often made entirely by hand and with frequently far lower yields. It is not uncommon for a new mezcal producer to hit the market with only a few…
Review: Charles Goodnight Texas Bourbon 6 Years Old
California’s Foley Family Wines recently branched out into spirits, and while its gin isn’t a big risk, launching a Texas whiskey certainly is. Made from Texas-grown corn, the high-rye (35%) bourbon is aged in-state in new charred oak barrels for 6 years before bottling… in California. Ouch! Will the perennially Texas proud accept a Texas…
Review: Ancho Reyes Barrica Chile Liqueur
Ancho Reyes’ chile liqueur has quietly built a following among mixologists for its original (ancho chile) and verde varieties, especially as a go-to for spicy margaritas and other classic cocktails. Recently, the Campari-owned brand released its first new product since 2017: Ancho Reyes Barrica. Ancho Reyes Barrica is a barrel-aged version of the red chile…
Review: Firestone Walker Brewmaster’s Collective, Fall 2023 Releases
Calling all Firestone Walker fans and barrel-aged beer lovers too busy to do their own shopping. Enrollment for Firestone Walker’s beer club, the Brewmaster’s Collective, is live until the end of the month (apologies for the late notice). The deets: Open enrollment in the 2024 Brewmaster’s Collective begins now at FirestoneBeer.com and ends on December 31,…
Review: Chicken Cock Red Stave Petite Sirah Barrel Finish
So I first read the label on this whiskey as Red State, thinking maybe Chicken Cock was doing an ambitious “Red State/Blue State” combo release. I mean, the brand is called Chicken Cock. Why wouldn’t they? But know, it’s Red Stave, a limited edition that is finished in J. Wilkes Winery Petite Sirah barrels hailing…
Review: Wolves Whiskey Malted Barley Lot 2 and Winter Run Batch 3
Wolves Whiskey hit the scene in 2019 with both an unexpected mission and a surprising fanfare. Founded by two footwear magnates and leaning on the distilling prowess of Charbay‘s Marko Karakasevic, the outfit drew a lot of its playbook from Charbay’s longtime program of making whiskey out of beer. Things have since exploded for the…
Review: Oran Blended Scotch – Blend No. 1 and No. 2
Oran is a new line of blended Scotch whisky that comes to us from an unexpected place: The Perfect Fifth, an independent Scotch bottler based in the U.S., in partnership with Jim Murray, the infamous whisky critic and writer. Murray personally created the two blends — his first ever — from 11 total casks of…
Review: Wines of Baldacci, 2021 Vintage (Second Opinion)
Whoops, Rob already reviewed these wines a few months ago. His take can be found here. Baldacci Family Vineyards has embraced the world of Tubes with this Discovery Collection ($60) of three of its wines. The $60 set includes 100ml samples of three wines Los Carneros Chardonnay, Los Carneros Pinot Noir, and Fraternity Red Blend,…
