Review: 2021 Epoch Rose
This Paso Robles rose is made of 59% mourvedre, 33% grenache, and 8% syrah. It’s a Rhone-happy combination that makes for a, well, hit-and-miss experience. A slightly bitter palate dulls notes of honeysuckle, strawberry, and crispy toasted marshmallow, all of which can be worthwhile but which don’t really gel together perfectly here. Florals become a…
Review: Alberta Premium Rye 20 Years Old
Long time rye drinkers have likely had their fair share of juice from Alberta Distillers, though more commonly via brands that source from the Calgary-based single-grain giant. A long time mainstay on Canadian shelves, the distillery’s own Alberta Premium brand has more recently made waves south of the border. Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye has…
Review: Fainting Goat Spirits Tiny Cat Vodka and Emulsion Gin
Fainting Goat Spirits in Greensboro, NC is named for, well, fainting goats. I didn’t even know that was a thing, but apparently the occasional goat is indeed myotonic, falling stiff on the ground when startled or frightened but quickly getting back up again. Their resilience and their oddity are both qualities the team at Fainting…
Review: Old Forester The 117 Series – Whiskey Row Fire
With Jackie Zykan’s abrupt departure from Old Forester a few weeks ago, the distillery’s 117 Series — which was billed as her creation and famously features her signature — will soon have to go in a new direction (or be discontinued altogether). This fourth installment in the series is Zykan’s swan song, a bourbon designed…
Review: Single Cask Nation Virginia Distillery Co. American Single Malt 5 Years Old
Up until this point, every bottle that we’ve reviewed from Single Cask Nation has been scotch, but the independent bottler also offers a variety of spirits from around the world, several of which are distilled right here in the old US of A. In fact, they remain the only independent bottler of cask strength Wild…
Review: Gin Mare Capri
We are fans of the original Gin Mare, with its unique olive character, and now the producers have released a special edition as a follow-up. Gin Mare Capri is similar in design to its precursor but has some notable differences. It is made, their website explains, “with Italian bergamot from Calabria and lemons from Capri,…
Review: 2021 One Stone Rose of Pinot Noir Central Coast
This wine’s pinot noir hails from Paso Robles and adjacent areas, and in rose form it’s lots of fun, filled with strawberry, cream, and orange flower water. The exuberantly fruity wine is on the sweet side, but it works well with its notes of coconut, lemon peel, and all those red berry elements. Gentle florals…
Review: Rum Cartavio XO
Ron Cartavio is a Peruvian rum brand that dates back to the late 1920s. Their portfolio is impressively large with no less than seven age-stated offerings, along with several bottlings more geared toward mixing. Our first look at the lineup starts at the very tip top with their oldest XO offering, a blend of 10-…
