Review: Denizen Merchant’s Reserve 8 Years Old Rum
Who says you can’t teach an old spirit category new tricks? Denizen, which released a white rum a couple of years ago, is back at it with an exotic amber. This spirit is a blend of two styles of aged rums: a Jamaican, Plummer-style pot still rum and a “rhum grande arome” from Martinique —…
Review: Torani Sweet Heat Syrup
Torani’s line of coffeehouse syrups now spans some 120-plus flavors, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. The latest concoction is Sweet Heat, which has particular eyes on the world of mixology. Sweet Heat is a concoction of pure cane sugar and … wait for it… ghost peppers, the now well-known…
Review: Flora Springs 2013 Sauvignon Blanc and 2012 Merlot
Two new releases from Flora Springs in Napa. 2013 Flora Springs Sauvignon Blanc Sololiquy Vineyard Oakville – Crisp, with mild lemon and orange notes. Very clean, with minimal mineral notes and light acidity. Extremely pale in color, this wine is the very definition of a “summery white” — light as a feather and elusive when…
Recipe: Labor Day Cocktails 2014
The end of summer is upon us, signaled once again by the extended Labor Day weekend — one final summer holiday to salute and celebrate those who work hard throughout the year and to welcome in the upcoming fall season. It’s been a fantastic summer, so here’s a few of the more interesting submissions we’ve received,…
Review: Firestone & Robertson TX Blended Whiskey
Fort Worth-based Firestone & Robertson makes a craft bourbon in-house, but it also mixes up this product, a mystery blend of various whiskeys from who-knows-where that’s bottled with a big “TX” on the front. I don’t know much more about this blended whiskey, but I did sample it for review. Thoughts follow. A very sweet nose…
Review: Aberlour Double Cask 12, 16, and 18 Years Old (2014)
Years ago I wrote about Aberlour’s beloved cask strength A’bunadh bottling, but I have long overlooked some charming offerings from this Speyside-based distillery. (Never mind the “Highland” on the label.) Aberlour’s standard age-statemented, more typical proof whiskies rely on some uncommon barrel aging techniques to create some unusual and easy-drinking single malts. Thoughts follow on the 12, 16,…
Review: Blue Nectar Tequila Complete Lineup (2014)
Blue Nectar is a new brand producing three varieties of tequila from the Lowlands of Mexico. The three expressions are not the traditional trio you might be familiar with in the tequilaverse, but let’s not spoil the surprise. All expressions are 80 proof. Thoughts follow. Blue Nectar Tequila Silver – Intense bell pepper, jalapeno, and red chilis…
Review: Few Spirits Standard Issue Gin, Barrel Aged Gin, and Bourbon
We’ve covered a few of the spirits of Evanston, Ill.-based Few Spirits in the past. Today we turn our attention to some of Few’s more exotic offerings. As with the previously-reviewed offerings, these are true craft products made with local grains (all within 100 miles of the distillery) and no bulk or sourced alcohol in…
