Review: Virgil Kaine Ginger Infused Bourbon

Ginger and bourbon go together so well that bourbon and ginger ale is a classic, standard, two-ingredient cocktail. Why not put them together in one bottle, then? Named after a supposed bootlegger from South Carolina, where this spirit also hails form, Virgil Kaine is made from a (sourced) “young” bourbon composed from a mash of…

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Review: Glenfiddich “The Original”

In 1963 Glenfiddich launched a single malt whisky and sold it outside of Scotland, a highly unusual move considering that the whisky world at the time really only knew of blended Scotch, not single malts. While many may very well debate the claim (considering single malt whisky dates back to at least the 1400s), the distillery…

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Review: Lost Spirits Colonial American Inspired Rum

Monterey, Calif.-based mad scientist Bryan Davis is back at work with a new rum called Colonial American Inspired. Ultra-high in alcohol, it’s an iteration on the distillery’s Navy Style Rum that came out at the beginning of the year. Colonial American uses the same white rum as a base; the changes involve some production tweaks in…

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Review: Starr Hill Sabbath Black India Pale Ale

Cross a chocolaty stout with a fresh IPA and you might get something akin to this, an odd but quite drinkable ale that comes across like a hybrid of two classic styles. Malty up front, the beer’s chocolate and coffee notes go toe to toe with some piney, lightly citrus-dusted hops, but in the end…

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Review: Clyde May’s Whiskey (2014)

It hasn’t quite been two years since we reviewed Clyde May’s Conecuh Ridge Whiskey, but big things are afoot at this operation, which is rapidly picking up steam and notoriety. A rebranding and radically updated design is the major news. “Conecuh Ridge” has been shrunken down on the label and in fact is no longer part…

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Tasting Report: 6 Spanish Garnacha Wines, 2014 Releases

Some say Garnacha, the Spanish inflection of Grenache, is the next “It Wine.” (It doesn’t hurt that most Garnachas are extremely inexpensive.) Is it so? We tasted six Garnachas (one of which is a Garnacha/Syrah blend), from 2009, 2012, and 2013 vintages, to see where this varietal is headed. 2009 Bodegas y Vinedos del Jalon Alto…

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Review: Tempus Fugit Creme de Cacao and Creme de Menthe

Quick, when’s the last time you had a Grasshopper? Pink Squirrel? Brandy Alexander? While some things never come back into vogue, for classics like these, it seems inevitable that hipsters will once again be guzzling these things by the gallon — and probably in hollowed-out coconuts and pineapples. Creme de Cacao and Creme de Menthe…

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Review: Victorious B.I.G. Beef Jerky and Punch Drunk Hot Sauce

More and more consumer products are using beer and spirits in their creation, including these two artisan offerings, both of which rely on Victory Brewing’s Storm King Imperial Stout in their ingredient list. Some thoughts on eating your beer instead of simply drinking it follow. Victorious B.I.G. Beef Jerky is an artisanal, all natural jerky…

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