The Top 10 Tequilas and Mezcals of 2023
Our fifth year producing a top 10 tequilas and mezcals list has a little twist on it: We didn’t pick any of the mezcals we tried this year for inclusion on the list. While we liked plenty of them, none made quite enough of an impact to earn a spot here. That said, we’ve got…
Review: Amante 1530 Amaro
New amaro Amante 1530 is billed as “an innovative twist on an old classic,” but when you get down to it, it’s a lot closer to one familiar standby than you’d think. Boasting Sting and Trudie Styler as investors, this Aperol clone is flavored with Italian orange, ginger, and honeysuckle, and it carries the familiar…
Review: El Cristiano Tequila – Silver and Reposado
It’s really easy to get really cynical really quickly about a tequila brand founded by a self-described “serial entrepreneur and angel investor.” Because what venture capitalist hasn’t lifted themselves up by the bootstraps to eventually found their very own vanity tequila brand? Admittedly, founder Karan Khanna’s involvement is obfuscated by the roles of founding consultant…
Review: Mary Dowling Bourbons – Tequila Barrel and Double Oak Barrel
Some whiskey brands dig deep into obscure history for their backstory, but Mary Dowling, the latest from Rabbit Hole founder Kaveh Zamanian, is a story I’m honestly surprised hasn’t been told yet. I had the opportunity to chat with Kaveh about his new venture at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September, and he gave me…
Review: Heaven’s Door Ascension, Homesick Blues, and Bootleg Series Vol. V
Lots of action going on at Heaven’s Door these days. There’s a new distillery, a new visitor’s center, and a big renaming (and even revamping) of its core lineup. Let’s start with the basics. First, Heaven’s Door’s core lineup — three whiskeys — have all been given new names and new bottle graphics, each featuring…
Review: Lake Hour Seltzers, Complete Lineup
Canned, sparkling seltzers made with real ingredients and actual spirits, but hitting the can at 5% abv? What’s not to like? Four flavors are currently available, each contained in a 12 oz. can. We tried them all, and offer our thoughts herein. Each is 5% abv. Lake Hour Watermelon Cucumber – Tequila, real watermelon, real cucumber.…
Review: Quintaliza Tequila Reposado
As agave spirits continue their march toward becoming the most-sold liquor category in America, we’re seeing more market differentiators than ever. One of the latest is Quintaliza’s Reposado Tequila, which according to the brand is both additive-free and certified organic. And here’s where things get interesting: the product is “finished in oak barrels that previously…
Review: Delola Spritzes, Complete Lineup
I love a Spritz. I’ve enjoyed them at home, in bars, and in their birthplace in Venice. And I’ve enjoyed them for good reason, because the Spritz is incredibly hard to fuck up. The recipe is impossibly simple: Aperol, Prosecco, some soda. People keep trying to bottle versions of the Spritz that are ready-to-drink, and…
