Review: Uisce Beatha Irish Whiskey
It’s a brave product marketer who chooses “Uisce Beatha” for his new whiskey’s official name. But Uisce Beatha is a name that’s steeped in history. The term is Gaelic for “water of life.” Uisce (pronounced ISH-kah) is of course where the word “whiskey” originated. Uisce Beatha — “Real Irish Whiskey” — is the latest launch…
Review: Wild Turkey American Honey Sting
Is the honey-flavored whiskey thing coming to an end? Now, Wild Turkey is releasing a limited edition flavored flavored whiskey: American Honey Sting, a crazy expression of the classic American Honey that is spiked with the infamous ghost pepper, the hottest chili pepper in the world. No relation to this guy. Honey-flavored whiskies have rapidly…
Review: Grand Marnier GM Titanium
You’re the maker of one of the most prestigious orange liqueurs on the market. For your next trick, what do you do? Release a heavily spiced, orange-flavored Cognac in a Terminator-hued, club-friendly bottle! “Red ribbon” Grand Marnier is distinguished from most orange liqueurs because it uses Cognac as the base spirit instead of grain neutral spirits.…
Bordeaux Review: 2010 Chateau de Viaud-Lalande & 2012 Chateau du Bois Chantant
When’s the last time you ordered a bottle of Bordeaux with dinner? The folks in France’s ancient wine region realize the answer to this is probably never for most people, so they’re out to change things and freshen up their image. Today’s Bordeaux (motto: “It’s not that expensive!”) is embracing fruit and lower-cost wines. Sure, Mouton and…
Review: 2013 Mirabeau en Provence “Classic” and “Pure” Rose Wines
This Provence-based rose wine producer is making its first appearance on U.S. shores with two pink wines, the traditional “Classic” (which does not actually say “Classic” on the label) and the more modern “Pure” (label). “Different but the same,” these two wines are made in the same basic style, but incorporate slightly different grape varietals…
Review: Trianon Tequila, Complete Lineup
Trianon is a 100% agave tequila hailing from the Lowlands, available in the usual three expressions. All are 80 proof, and we review all three below. Trianon Tequila Blanco – Sedate and seductive on the nose, the agave here seems dialed way back, and a touch sweet based on the honeyed aroma. The body plays down…
Review: Samuel Adams Kosmic Mother Funk Grand Cru
Keep your eyes open for the KMF: Samuel Adams’ limited edition grand cru beer, formally known as Kosmic Mother Funk. An aged Belgian style ale, it spends a full year in Hungarian oak casks, and here’s why: The inspiration for Kosmic Mother Funk is Belgian beer styles and brewing techniques including blending, aging and conditioning…
Review: The Last Drop 1950 Fine Aged Cognac
The Last Drop is a company with an amazingly fun story: It sources its spirits from shuttered, abandoned, or “lost” distilleries. When you buy the company’s product, that’s it. They’re gone and no one is going to make them again. That’s a powerful promise of rarity. The Last Drop says it “found these casks in a tiny…