2013 Pumpkin Ale Roundup – Hermitage, Dogfish Head, and Hangar 24
Ah, Halloween approaches, and that means pumpkin-based beers are hitting the shelves en masse. We’ve had a fridge-load show up at Drinkhacker HQ in recent weeks, which can mean only one thing: Roundup Time! Here are some thoughts on three new, and wildly different, pumpkin brews. Hermitage Brewing Company Fruit Crate Pumpkin Ale – A…
Review: Cabin Still Bourbon
After my initial voyages to the bottom of the shelf with JW Dant and Kentucky Gentleman, I reasoned my exploratory adventure should further continue with another value bourbon. Cabin Still was originally part of a line at the now legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery, along with W.L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, and Rebel Yell. The brand name was…
Review: Deschutes Brewery Hop Trip (2013) and Chasin’ Freshies IPA (2013)
Deschutes Brewery’s new limited releases are out, both part of its anticipated Bond Street Series of brews. They’re both made with fresh hops, freshly picked then turned into beer pretty much immediately. As such, it’s important to drink these brews right away. Having them sit around in a pantry for months will do them a…
Review: 2011 Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Initially quite mild for a Napa Cab, the nose comes across as almost watery, but with time in glass a fun peppery, blackberry-driven spiciness comes to the forefront. On the palate things liven up a bit further, offering restrained fruit — blackberry and blueberry — with undertones of black pepper and sweet vanilla cream. The…
Recipe: 2013 Halloween Cocktails
Halloween falls on a Thursday this year, meaning parties will be gearing up all over the place this weekend. We’ve had many, many recipe suggestions this year (and thank you for all of them). Here’s a sampling of some of the best we’ve tried over the past few weeks while getting into the spirit of…
Review: Citadelle Gin (2013) and Citadelle Reserve Gin 2012 Vintage
It has been many years since we last checked in with Citadelle, a French gin that comes in two varieties, a standard rack bottling and a vintage “Reserve” version that’s aged in Cognac casks for six months, giving it a pretty yellow hue. I won’t delve too deeply into the botanicals and production process behind…
Review: The Arran Malt Devil’s Punch Bowl Chapter II – “Angels & Devils”
Last year’s limited edition Devil’s Punch Bowl from Arran was one of my favorite whiskys of the year, and it all but vanished from the market in months. Now Arran is back with a sequel — Chapter II, “Angels & Devils.” This is crafted from a collection of whiskys put into cask in 1997, 1998,…
Review: Kahlua Pumpkin Spice Liqueur
‘Tis the season for two things: A seasonal Kahlua mash-up and pumpkin everything. Here those two trends crash together with the inevitable: Kahlua Pumpkin Spice. Kahlua’s twists on its classic coffee liqueur can be hit or miss, but this one manages to work fairly well. The secret is that the “pumpkin spice” element is dialed back,…
