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Drinkhacker Reads – 04.26.2013 – World’s Oldest Japanese Whisky Available For $19,000

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Rob Theakston| Leave a comment

The world’s oldest and rarest Japanese whisky is now available to the general public for a cool $19,000. Bottled in 1960, this 52-year-old Karuizawa was aged in sherry oak and comes in a case fashioned with pieces from the original cask’s head. It’s available in an extremely rare edition of 41 and only at four locations around the world. Time to get that second paper route. [via press release]

ABC News runs an interview with Crystal Head Vodka CEO/Conehead/conspiracy expert Dan Aykroyd, in which he discusses mass quantities of topics such as Saturday Night Live, Crystal Head Vodka, UFOs, Ghostbusters 3, and the possibility of Crystal Conehead Vodka. [ABC News]

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Posted in News

Review: Schramm Organic Gin

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

Yes Virginia, they make gin in Canada. This unique gin comes from Pemberton Distillery in British Columbia, where a smattering of products are produced. None seems more highly lauded than Schramm Organic Gin, an organic dry gin made from distilled potato base and infused with a mere eight (organic) botanicals: juniper, coriander, orange peel, rosemary, angelica root, Ceylon cinnamon, rosehips, and hops.

A more unique infusion bill you’re unlikely to find, but when poured, the immediate nose is none of these but rather — inexplicably — cucumber. A deeper exploration into the aroma reveals that it is the last two elements on that list — rosehips and hops — that strangely meld into this unique cucumber character. Behind it there’s a sort of smoky/earthy character that is likely driven by the angelica root.

On the body, this is a gin that’s overflowing with flavor. That cucumber character dominates here, too, but it takes on a deeper and more smoldering character than you get on the nose. Very much like a tree bark (cinnamon-driven, maybe) character and hints of the forest floor. Not so much juniper berries, but definitely limbs of juniper trees scattered about under the canopy shadows. The finish offers a respite from this depth, with notes of lemongrass and some mint. All of which is curious because none of those ingredients are actually in this gin.

Reviewed: Batch #09 (now sold out), bottle #165. Distilled Dec 2012. 88 proof.

A- / $55 / pembertondistillery.ca

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Posted in Gin, Rated A-, Reviews

Drinkhacker Reads – 04.24.2013 – All Hail Pappy Von Winkle!

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Rob Theakston| Leave a comment

The British Gin renaissance continues to be in full swing, with sales reported to be up 12% in the UK last year and no slowing down in sight. The Telegraph takes a closer look at the boom, takes a look at gin’s place in popular culture, and offers up some cocktail recipes along the way. [The Telegraph]

With Cinco De Mayo looming on the horizon the day after the Kentucky Derby, things are looking up for drinking next weekend (look for recipe suggestions to celebrate both shortly). The Daily Meal takes a closer look at the recent surge of tequila consumption in the U.S., and offers up its list of the best tequila bars in the nation. [The Daily Meal]

Normally we don’t like to point out mistakes and typos [That's my job. -Ed.], but this one takes the cake. Fox News apparently has discovered a new product called Pappy Von Winkle in an article discussing the 5 most expensive bourbons. We hear it’s good, but Poopy Van Shtickle is better. [Fax News]

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Review: New Proseccos from Bellenda and Carpene Malvolti

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

How about some bubbles? Here are two delightful new Proseccos to try out.

2011 Bellenda Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Valdobbiadene – Slightly musty on the nose, this Prosecco makes up for that with a tart and fruity body that packs in plenty of flavor. Notes of peaches and light strawberry notes mingle with the simpler apple and citrus character. Pleasant, but the finish brings back a touch of that musty character that mars an otherwise vibrant wine. B+ / $16

NV Carpene Malvolti Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Extra Dry DOCG (pictured) – Fizzier than most Proseccos, but full of fruit character. Big apple notes at the forefront, with a touch of figs and a hint of caramel. Smooth and rich, evening out as the bubbles start to settle down. Quite good. A- / $15

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Posted in Rated A-, Rated B+, Reviews, Wine

Review: White Wines of Stony Hill, 2013 Releases

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

Stony Hill Vineyard is located in Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain AVA, where it specializes in white wines, particularly its award-winning Chardonnay. We sampled three of its latest releases for the 2013 drinking season. Thoughts follow.

2010 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa Valley – Lemon, honeysuckle, and intriguing woody notes on the nose lead to a complex body, moderate in mouthfeel with light acidity. Here you find lots of orange and lemon notes, some honey — an almost Sauternes hint — midway through the finish. Don’t worry, it’s not a sugar bomb: The conclusion is dry and inviting, the honey character building on the nose as it warms in the glass. A real knockout. A / $42

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Posted in Rated A, Rated B, Rated B-, Reviews, Wine

Wine & Beer Gadget Roundup

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

Lately we’ve received a whole bunch of “stocking stuffer” sized gadgets suitable for wine and beer fanatics. Rather than review them individually, we’re rounding them up here in a mega-gizmo post. Thoughts follow.

Hermetus Bottle Opener & Resealer – Sometimes you don’t want to drink that entire half-liter of beer, but if you’ve pried off the crown cap, what do you do next? The Hermetus is several gadgets in one, but the most noteworthy is that it reseals beer bottles. Just slide the lip of the bottle through the aluminum groove as far as you can: The groove pushes it against a rubber pad and seals it tight. Turn it upside down, shake it up, no worries — the beer won’t come out. It works on both U.S. and Euro bottles, and it includes a standard opener as well as a claw-like opener designed to help with stubborn twist-offs, too. Instructions engraved on the reverse remind you of all of this in case you’ve had too much. A / $9 kaufmann-mercantile.com

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Posted in Barware, Rated A, Rated B+, Rated B-, Rated C+, Reviews

Drinkhacker Reads – 04.22.2013 – Bond Macallan Fetches $14,692 At Auction

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Rob Theakston| Leave a comment

A bottle of Macallan 1962 bearing the signatures of actors Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, and Berenice Marlohe recently fetched $14,692 in an auction at Sotheby’s. The bottle played a small but important role in last year’s Bond blockbuster, Skyfall. The single malt, distilled the same year Bond made his debut in Dr. No, was donated by Macallan. Proceeds from the sale will go to charities supporting British security and intelligence services. [PR Newswire]

Good news for Johnnie Walker fans: Diageo has announced plans to make the Johnnie Walker Double Black edition a permanent fixture in their U.S. line. Originally launched as an exclusive to duty free shops, the demand and response for Double Black has been positive enough to make it a full-fledged member of an already stacked team. [PR Newswire]

This item’s for fans of Michigan beer: Beerpulse is reporting that beer baron Larry Bell has purchased a sizeable chunk of land in the upper peninsula of Michigan, specifically the Escanaba region near the Michigan-Wisconsin border. According to sources, he’s planning on developing a new brewery for the long-fabled Upper Hand label he’s been rumored of starting for some time. Spokespeople for Bell’s have declined to comment for BeerPulse, and we’ve asked for a comment as well. We’ll report back if we receive any word other than a continuing silence. [Beerpulse]

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Review: The Pink Pigeon Original Rum

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Christopher Null| 1 Comment

Rum is a spirit imbued with exoticism. It comes from places in tour guides like Barbados. Panama. Martinique.

Pink Pigeon puts all of that to shame. It is born in Mauritius, which I guarantee you will never find on a map. It’s here: A speck of an island over 1000 miles off the southeast coast of Africa — out there beyond Madagascar.

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Posted in Flavored Rum, Rated B+, Reviews, Rum

Review: House Spirits Westward Oregon Straight Malt Whiskey

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

House Spirits, the makers of Aviation Gin, has expanded into the whiskey world, and they aren’t messing around. Westward is a very small-batch 100% single malt whiskey made from locally sourced (Pacific Northwest) barley. Westward Oregon Straight Malt is fermented with Scottish and American ale yeasts, then double pot distilled. The spirit is aged in full-size, new American oak barrels for two years.

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Posted in Rated A, Reviews, Whiskey

Review: Shock Top’s (Unbuyable) Campfire Wheat Beer

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

There’s no picture to this review because this beer is not for sale. You can try it — available on tap only — in extremely limited quantities at beer festivals around the country this year. Want to find this stuff? Try the San Francisco International Beer Festival on April 27, or the American Beer Classic in Chicago on May 11, 2013. Check Shock Top’s Facebook page for more info — and information on two more festival-only exclusive beers coming out later this year.

Campfire Wheat is perhaps the most outrageous beer I’ve ever encountered. An unfiltered ale, it is brewed with graham wheat, chocolate malts, and marshmallow flavor. It is then aged over cocoa nibs before being sealed into kegs. What’s this all mean? Well, if the ingredient list doesn’t tip you off, think harder: It’s s’mores. S’mores beer. S’mores, turned into a beer.

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Posted in Beer, Rated D/F, Reviews

Review: Mangria

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Christopher Null| 1 Comment

We’ve covered celebrity wine. Celebrity vodka. Celebrity Cognac. Even celebrity tequila.

This is definitively the first and likely the only celebrity sangria that we’ll ever see.

Mangria comes to us courtesy of sangria-lover Adam Carolla, who’s apparently still working the “man” angle on just about everything. Like Mansinthe, it’s a horrible name for a product, but it’s so insane it just might work.

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Posted in Rated D/F, Reviews, Wine

The Drinkhacker Shopping List – 04.19.2013

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Rob Theakston| Leave a comment

If it’s Friday and time for the Drinkhacker Shopping List — our regularly scheduled survey of the best (and worst) items arriving at our office over the past few weeks. We’ve had an incredibly busy past few weeks, including an extremely spirited overview of the Budweiser family of products from our resident beer expert and a tasting report from the recent Whiskies of The World 2013 expo. Between these reports and the list below, there’s plenty for you to use as a resource during your next trip to the store.

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Posted in Shopping List

Review: Dry Fly Distilling Triticale Whiskey and Port Finish Wheat Whiskey

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

Washington state’s Dry Fly Distilling recently launched a line of specialty whiskeys (and an aged gin) called the Creel Collection. These exotic spirits offer no age statements and are available only in half-size bottles. We sampled two of the five offerings. Thoughts follow.

Dry Fly Distilling Straight Triticale Whiskey – Triticale isn’t a very sexy name that rolls off the tongue, but this rye/wheat hybrid developed in Scotland in the 1800s is as unique a whiskey as you’re likely to find. The nose is young — grainy and rustic, but far from rough. Those grain notes evolve in the glass to release some fruit flavors on the body — cherry notes, some apple — plus a touch of wood. All the while that graininess hangs on, leaving a bit of cereal on the finish and just a touch of spice, sweetening up as you sip on. 88 proof. B+ / $36 (375ml)

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Posted in Rated A, Rated B+, Reviews, Whiskey

Review: NV Pink Panda and 2007 Naked Rebel Red Wine

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

Targeting a clearly younger, more modern, and cost-conscious drinker, Naked Rebel is a new brand that’s offering two wines at launch. One is quite good. Thoughts on both follow.

NV Pink Panda – “Sparkling grape wine with natural flavors.” Say what? There’s really no telling whats in this ultra-fruity concoction — it is reportedly a demi-sec rose of Alexander Valley Pinot — considering how full of strawberry and heavy rose-petal-perfume notes it is. In the quest to come across as playful, those “natural flavors” (a term typically reserved for wines heavily spiked with fruit juice) basically just come across as brutish and juvenile. Not really drinkable beyond a few sips. D / $18

2007 Naked Rebel California Red Wine – Don’t try to sift through the white-on-black-all-caps on the back of the bottle. This blend of Syrah and Oakville Cabernet is fairly delish without the verbiage. Touches of smoke on the nose lead to a plummy, Cab-heavy body that is heavy on the fruit. Now six years old, its tannins have faded enough to make things well integrated and reasonably balanced, though the relatively light body has trouble offering up much in the way of secondary notes. B+ / $20

nakedrebelwinery.com

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Posted in Rated B+, Rated D/F, Reviews, Wine

Review: Dogfish Head Aprihop IPA

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

Why brewers keep putting apricots in their beers I’ll never know. If asked to choose a fruit to eat, the apricot will invariably be the last on my list. Fresh or dried. Meh.

Aprihop is Dogfish Head’s IPA, brewed using the fruit that dare not speak its name and finished with whole leaf hops. Up front it’s got solid bitterness, with lots of heavy apricot notes on top. Almost overwhelming, these fruity bits blow off after a few minutes and leave behind a more gentle fruitiness.

Still, the sizable hop character and the somewhat sickly sweet apricot notes never quite mesh. The finish is long and ultimately turns sour, coating the mouth. The only cure is another slug, which brings enough bitterness to wash it away. Rinse and repeat.

7% abv.

B / $3 per bottle / dogfish.com

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Posted in Beer, Rated B, Reviews

Tagged drinkwire

Review: Indio Beer

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

Indio: Not from India, but from Mexico. Born south of the border in 1893, Indio only made it to the U.S. in 2012, courtesy of owner Heineken (which makes Tecate, Dos Equis, Sol, and a ton of other familiar beers in the same brewery). Now that Indio’s here, how’s it taste?

This curious, darker Mexican lager is at first appealing. The body is brisk, mildly bitter but nutty and lightly earthy — corn husks, perhaps? Things go along well enough until the finish, which gets progressively more and more bitter — too much so, really. This finish is not so much hoppy as it is weedy and vegetal, almost acrid in some bottles that I encountered. Quality seems to be erratic and the beer, overall, is just so-so.

B- / $8 per 6-pack / facebook.com/IndioBeer

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Posted in Beer, Rated B-, Reviews

Tagged drinkwire

Drinkhacker Reads – 04.17.2013 – Woodford Reserve’s $1,000 Mint Julep

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Rob Theakston| Leave a comment

Becoming a tradition itself alongside the Kentucky Derby, Woodford Reserve is once again issuing its $1,000 limited edition mint julep cup set, with this year’s theme being “gold.” What does $1,000 get you? Ice made of gold-filtered mineral water sourced from the easternmost coast of Nova Scotia, mint leaves dusted with gold, Woodford Gold sorghum, and a hand-engraved cup featuring a thoroughbred. 79 cups will be available for auction starting at $1,000 each, 9 cups will start bidding at $2,000 and feature a cup cut with diamonds, and one special package will start at $5,000. The lucky winner of that auction will present the trophy at the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on Kentucky Derby Day, enjoy a private tour and dinner of Woodford Reserve, and get a private tour of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center with a Hall of Fame jockey as your host. You can place your bids at Woodford Reserve’s Mint Julep website. [Woodford Reserve]

Chivas and Italian design firm Pininfarina have teamed up together to present “The Drop,” a series of conceptual cases inspired by air and liquid. The Drop will be available in three editions, each of which will feature Chivas 18 inside. The first edition will feature a streamlined case, limited to 1,500 units at a price of $140. The second edition will be a more upscale rendition: 120 editions at $495 each. And for the drinker who truly has everything, a limited edition hand made 7-foot-4-inch sculpture will be commissioned in an edition of five, each at a cost of $100,000. [Chivas]

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Mainstream Brewery Spotlight: Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser Line Reviewed

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Greg Bruce| Leave a comment

Discriminating drinkers aren’t immune from the mainstream, and ultra-micro-craft brews aren’t always available when you’re looking for a six pack at your local convenience store. What then about the biggest beer of them all? Today we look at the complete lineup of Budweiser beers, which now includes six different bottlings. Thoughts follow.

As the oldest beer within Anheuser-Busch’s portfolio, Budweiser defines the very meaning of a “brand.” Not only has the Budweiser name produced off-shoots of varying flavors and target demographics, but the beer’s popularity extends beyond what is contained within the bottle. With the iconic Clydesdale mascots and extensive marketing program, even consumers who don’t necessarily like beer are drawn into the fold.

Just like its commercials, Budweiser lager is a classic. Anheuser-Busch brews Budweiser and its various siblings with rice, and the impact is readily apparent. The aroma and taste take on a neutral characteristic because of it, but it leans towards sweet as a result of the rest of the malt bill. In contrast to some of the lighter Bud offerings, this original Budweiser exhibits a noticeable graininess in the form of buttery cereal grains that add flavor. While not the focus by any stretch, hop influences creep in the nose and flavor by contributing a light fruitiness and earthy spice. C- / $6.99 per six-pack

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Posted in Beer, Rated C, Rated C+, Rated C-, Rated D/F, Reviews

Tasting Report: Whiskies of the World Expo San Francisco 2013

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Christopher Null| 2 Comments

Either Whiskies of the World is getting bigger or I’m getting slower. Looking at the list below you’d think I scoured this increasingly high-quality event from top to bottom. In reality I barely scratched the surface, completely missing tastings from Kavalan, Amrut, Tyrconnell, and more. Note to self next year: Focus!

Brief thoughts on everything I sampled at the event follow.

Tasting Report: Whiskies of the World San Francisco 2013

American Whiskey

Hirsch Small Batch Reserve Bourbon / A / great vanilla, butterscotch character
Old Medley 12 Years Old Bourbon / B / big wood, some spice
Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon / B+ / lots of grain influence, dry wood
High West Rendezvous Rye / B+ / interesting dill notes
Lost Spirits Leviathan II / B+ / similar to the original, a monster peat bog
Lost Spirits Ouroboros Cask #1 / A- / crazy, smoke collides with fruit in a big way (full review coming soon)
Corsair Artisan Quinoa Whiskey / B / big grains, fiery nose

Scotch

Arran Sauternes Finish / A- / big almond influence, malty
Bruichladdich The Sixteen / A- / chewy, nougat, slight woodiness
Chieftain’s Miltonduff 1989 22 Years Old / B+ / huge fire, citrus notes
Chieftain’s Craigellachie 1991 21 Years Old / B+ / relatively easy/simple
Glenglassaugh North American Exclusive 27 Years Old / A / a big whiskey, tons of power, depth
Glenmorangie Ealanta / A- / unpeated 19 year old whiskey that’s spent its life in virgin, unused casks; lots of Bourbon and vanilla character, chocolate
Douglas Laing Dailvaine 28 Years Old / B+ / lots of smoke of front, some tobacco, wood
Douglas Laing Inchgower 30 Years Old / A- / huge cotton candy, caramel notes
Gordon and MacPhail Ledaig St. Joseph Finish 1993 / B+ / smoldering, chewy, dry finish
Gordon and MacPhail Speymalt Macallan 21 Years Old / A- / big, chewy Mac
Gordon and MacPhail Old Pulteney 21 Years Old / A / great balance, some fruit, vanilla, cookies
Muirhead’s Silver Seal Speyside 1992 Limited Edition 20 Years Old / B+ / big grain character
Samaroli Bunnahabhain 1978 / C+ / sweaty, not drinking well
Samaroli Caol Ila Selezione Samaroli Top Class 1980 / B+ / big, peaty, chewy
Samaroli Glen Garioch 1990 / B / minty, a bit odd
Samaroli Evolution Selezione 2011 / A- / not feeling the usual awesomeness tonight
Samaroli Glen Scotia 1992 / B / leathery, coal fires
Samaroli Isle of Jura 1997 / B+ / fiesty, gritty
Samaroli Tomintoul Selezione Samaroli Top Class 1967 / A- / malty, surprisingly light; gingerbread finish
Old Pulteney 17 Years Old / A- / 17 years all in sherry casks, intense citrus and nuts
Old Pulteney 21 Years Old / A / great body, rich nougat character
Old Pulteney 30 Years Old / A / lovely and rich, a standout
Talisker 30 Years Old / B+ / smoke and sweet, well-melded
Tomatin 30 Years Old / B+ / silky, then a brooding finish

Other Whiskeys

Bushmills 21 Years Old / B+ / lots of grain influence
Nikka 15 Years Old / A- / light, delightful smoke and sweetness

Posted in Reviews, Whiskey

Review: Lovoka Caramel Liqueur

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Christopher Null| Leave a comment

In its minimalist, narrow, aluminum bottle, the immediate assumption is that this is water for your bike ride, not a kooky liqueur — based on vodka and flavored with caramel.

Available in three flavors (including chocolate and “silk”), Lovoka (la-vah-cah) is an incredibly popular South African “vodka liqueur” that recently expanded distribution internationally. It’s now also being made under license in Fairfield, California (noteworthy as the home of the closest Chick-fil-A to San Francisco), the base for its U.S. distribution. While the dessert theme may throw you, be advised these are not cream-based liqueurs. The caramel (the first to be sold in the U.S. and the only one we tasted) is the color of light whiskey. Which is to say, caramel colored.

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Posted in Liqueurs, Rated B, Reviews

Tagged drinkwire