Review: Tamdhu Batch Strength #1 Single Malt Whisky
The newly revived Tamdhu Distillery is back with its second expression, this time an overproof whisky known (curiously) as Batch Strength. Aged entirely in sherry casks (predominantly first-fill) for an unstated amount of time, it is bottled at cask strength. The nose offers rich cereal, caramel, and notes of grilled fruits. On the body, heavy alcohol…
Review: The Exclusive Malts Batch #8 – Speyside 1991, Invergordon 1984, Balmenach 2007, North Highland 1995, Irish 2002, Laphroaig 2005
It’s quite a mixed bag in The Exclusive Malts’ latest batch, which includes a single grain release, two unnamed distillery releases and — a first for The Exclusive — an Irish whiskey release. With this batch I’m excited to announce that received the entire lineup to review, 6 whiskeys in total. Quality is all over…
Review: 3 Languedoc-Roussillon Wines – Montmassot Picpoul, Chateau du Donjon Rose, and Chateau Trillol
France’s Languedoc-Roussillon region is renowned for offering an array of wines in diverging styles, almost all available at low prices. In recognition of this, we recently received three Languedoc-Roussillon wines for review — one white, one rose, one red — to gauge just how far a buck can go in this sunny, southern part of France.…
Review: 3 Wines from Aia Vecchia, 2015 Releases
Aia Vecchia is a Bolgheri-based producer that makes a variety of reds and whites — with a heavy focus on blends made with international grape varietals. Thoughts on three recent releases, one white and two reds, follow. 2014 Aia Vecchia Vermentino Maremma Toscana IGT – A simple vermentino (with 5% viognier). Initially quite sweet with…
Review: AnestasiA Vodka (2015)
In 2012, a new vodka called AnestasiA hit the market, sporting an insanely avant garde bottle and an even more insane liquid inside. Charitably described as a mouth-numbing, menthol-flavored vodka (and not noted on the label as any such thing), the Oregon-produced vodka was derided by critics and, apparently, shunned by drinkers. AnestasiA went back…
Review: Zaca Recovery Chewables
I’ve written a lot about how effective Zaca patches can be at preventing hangovers, but the problem with patches is an obvious one: You have to put them on before you go out. Now Zaca is hitting the market with a chewable that’s designed to help you out if you overdid it and, er, left the…
Review: Draftmark Beer Tap System
Having beer on tap at home is a killer move, but kegerators are enormous, costly, and frankly, a bit frat-house juvenile. Draftmark has an answer: A mini keg that fits in your fridge. The Draftmark system includes a battery-powered base and replaceable, one-gallon growlers that fit inside it. Just charge up the battery, install a…
Review: Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection from Nasa Liquor
Four Roses private barrel offerings are invariably fun to find and taste, and this selection from Nasa Liquor, a shop in Houston, Texas, is no exception. This is an OESF Four Roses (20% rye, made with Four Roses’ “herbal” yeast), aged 10 years, 2 months. This is a slightly younger expression of the 2014 Single Barrel,…
