Review: Amaro Santoni
Amaro Santoni is new to me, but the recipe dates back to 1961, including 34 ingredients centered around rhubarb and iris — in part a cultural reference to Florence, in part because that’s the taste profile they were going for here. A light, crimson-orange-hued “dolce-amaro aperitivo” lands somewhere in the DMZ between bitter and sweet…
Review: Nikka the Grain Whisky – Discovery 2023
Japan’s Nikka Whisky began its experimental Nikka Discovery series in 2021, with two special releases, one from each of its two main distilleries. Nikka followed suit with another pair in 2022, making one wonder if it would continue the theme going forward. Well, here we are in 2023, and Nikka has announced that this will…
Review: The Dalmore Select Edition 2005 and 2008
Every November, The Dalmore assesses its collection of casks and pulls a handful that represent the distillery’s house style — but which were all distilled in a single year. These Vintage Collection releases are rarities that exemplify the best of what’s in the cellar, all very limited Highland single malts that are said to…
Review: Louis XIII Cognac Rare Cask 42.1
For the third time in the brand’s history, Louis XIII has released its Rare Cask expression. With an estimated $50,000 price tag, it’s Louis XIII Cognac’s most coveted and expensive expression currently on the market. This particular Rare Cask is also the first such release in over ten years, and the first from Cellar Master…
Review: 2018 San Felice Campiogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
We reviewed the 2017 vintage of San Felice’s Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino twice, and now we’re back with our first (and probably only) look at the 2018 vintage. Both are expected to be very good to excellent vintages for the classic Tuscan region, so let’s dive in and see if the equation has changed at…
Review: Ron Diplomatico Ambassador and Single Vintage 2007
Venezuela’s Ron Diplomatico has numerous expressions, with these two releases part of its newish Prestige Range, which continue to push the rum world upmarket. Let’s dig in to each in turn. Ron Diplomatico Ambassador – Diplomatico’s highest-end expression is “straight from the barrel”… but only 47% abv, which raises an eyebrow or two. Finished in…
Review: Sagamore Spirit Amaro
Liqueurs made for specific cocktails are nothing new. But what about a liqueur distilled to match a particular rye whiskey? Sagamore Spirit recently released their own amaro, and it’s designed to be used in a Black Manhattan alongside their Maryland-style rye. That’s about as specific as they come! In the brand’s own words: Sagamore Spirit…
Review: Catoctin Creek Hot Honey Rye
This fall, Catoctin Creek released Hot Honey Rye, the first permanent addition to the small craft distillery’s core range in over five years. First introduced as a limited Barrel Select offering in 2022, this flavored whiskey is now slated for the big leagues with distribution to all of Catoctin Creek’s mid-Atlantic markets, as well as…
