Review: Alessio Vermouth di Torino Rosso and Vermouth Chinato
Tempus Fugit Spirits has turned to vermouth for its latest products, importing from Italy a pair of fortified, aromatic wines: Alessio Vermouth di Torino Rosso and Alessio Vermouth Chinato, both “inspired by a true ‘Renaissance man,’ Alessio Piemontese.” These vermouths are both produced in a considerably more bitter style than the typical Italian or sweet vermouth…
Review: Old Monk Very Old Vatted XXX Rum 7 Years Old
Old Monk, a rum that’s made in Uttar Pradesh, India, is a major international seller which has a bit of a cult following on our shores. That’s probably owing more to the low price point, unique decanter, and novelty design than anything else. But let’s see how it tastes. This expression (there are a handful…
Review: Jim Beam Black XA Extra Aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2015)
While I wasn’t paying attention, Jim Beam quietly updated its venerable Black Label bottling. What was once bottled with an 8 Year Old (“Double Aged”) age statement now carries none. Beam assures me the product in the new bottle is the same as the old Jim Beam Black Label even if the exterior isn’t quite the…
Review: Afrohead Original Rum
You wouldn’t put out a rum called Afrohead and not put a line art drawing of a woman with a huge, stylized afro on the bottle, would you? Of course not. After years of hand bottling rum in an unnamed bottle featuring only the Afrohead logo, Joe Farrell and Toby Tyler are bringing this Bahamanian rum to…
Review: Jim Beam Signature Craft Harvest Bourbon Collection – Brown Rice
Four our fourth review in Jim Beam’s 6-whiskey Signature Craft Harvest Bourbon Collection we’re finally checking out the Brown Rice release. This was actually released last year, so we’re late to the game, but our completionist streak compels a review regardless. As a reminder, these are all bourbons, each made with one unusual grain in the mashbill. As with…
Review: Craft Distillers Mezcalero Release #11 Bramaderos (Miahuatlan)
Craft Distillers’ Mezcalero is a series of one-time batches of mezcal, similar to the ArteNOM tequila releases. Once they’re all sold, they’re gone for good. But don’t worry — in both cases, they always make more. We first encountered Mezcalero in its second batch, and while I felt that release was a touch lackluster, it…
Review: Pickett’s Ginger Beer Concentrated Syrup
Pickett’s approach to ginger beer was a new one for me: Rather than bottle or can a finished product, Pickett’s makes ginger syrup, which you mix with sparkling water to make on-the-spot ginger beer. It’s a more efficient way to make a mixer if you need a lot of it (or don’t want to stock…
Review: 2014 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc – Icon and Regional Collection
Two new releases from New Zealand’s Nobilo, including the budget Regional Collection bottling and the flagship Icon expression. Thoughts on these 2014 vintage releases follow. 2014 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Regional Collection Marlborough – Moderately tropical, with strong lemon overtones and just a touch of vanilla. Bright acidity lends the wine an easy, festive finish. Uncomplicated, but…
