Review: Old York Cellars NV Merlot and 2013 Sweet Riesling

Yes Virginia, they make wine in Virginia. Also New Jersey, where you’ll find Old York Cellars. These wines make for an interesting introduction to the styles you’ll find on the other coast. We tasted along with the winery during a web-based event. Thoughts follow. NV Old York Cellars Merlot – Nonvintage merlot, a distant cousin…

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Review: William Grant New Releases 2015 – Girvan No. 4, 25 Years Old, 30 Years Old, Kininvie 23 Years Old, Annasach 25 Years Old, and Ghosted Reserve 21 Years Old

William Grant is the home of Glenfiddich and Balvenie, two of the biggest name in single malt whisky. But lately the Grants have been pushing some of their lesser-known offerings, including new bottlings from lesser known malt shops like Kininvie, single grain whisky from Girvan, and limited edition blends. Over a recent lunch, the company…

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Review: 2010 Cenyth

Cenyth is a Sonoma County bottling from Jackson Family Wines, a Bordeaux style wine that offers a wildly different composition every year. For 2010 it’s 54% merlot, 34% cabernet franc, and 12% cabernet sauvignon. This wine is drinking very old – it feels like something from the turn of the century, not just five years…

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Review: Corbin Cash Sweet Potato Liqueur

California-based Corbin makes a respectable vodka out of sweet potatoes. But you know what else you can make out of sweet potatoes? Sweet potato liqueur. That’s right folks, if you didn’t get enough yams-‘n’-marshmallows on Thanksgiving, now you can drink it right down in alcohol form and not feel so bloated at the end of…

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Review: Crispin “15 Men” Blended Hard Cider Rum Cask Aged

Crispin’s latest limited edition cider is made from Colfax apple wine, aged in dark rum casks, and finished with wildflower honey and “dark candi syrup” — a fancy type of caramel that’s usually used in beermaking. What does the name mean? It comes from Treasure Island, meant to evoke pirates and buried treasure — and rum,…

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Review: Pere Magloire Calvados VSOP

Produced from apple cider pressed in the small Pays d’Auge region of Normandy, this VSOP Calvados is double distilled and aged in oak barrels for at least four years. This is young Calvados, but well made and quite drinkable. Some aeration is recommended to coax out the fruitier notes and allow some of the earthier…

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Review: Old Limestone Mixing Water

If you’re a huge Scotch nerd, you’ve probably seen the ultimate in geek mixers: Water imported from different regions in Scotland that you’re supposed to add to whisky from that region – the ultimate complement for your high-end hooch. Now Kentucky’s getting in on the game, with Old Limestone Mixing Water, sourced straight from Bourbon…

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Review: Aberlour 10 Years Old

Aberlour’s 12, 16, and 18 year old expressions are commonly available in America, but surprisingly its entry-level bottling, Aberlour 10 Years Old, isn’t sold here. That’s a shame, because it’s a fine example of the Speyside distillery’s house style and comes at a very reasonable price (the appropriate US dollar conversion has been made below). “Double…

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