The folks over at the good ship Wine Spectator announced its Top 100 for 2014 this morning, with Dow’s 2011 Vintage Port taking top honors. Lots of great stuff to choose from here. [Wine Spectator]

John Hansell over at Whisky Advocate goes all crazy over the forthcoming Diageo release in its Orphan Barrel project, Lost Prophet. Look for our thoughts in the not-so-distant future. Between this, new releases of Barterhouse and Rhetoric and something called Forged Oak, it appears Diageo is getting serious about its intent to dominate the American whiskey market. [Whisky Advocate]

The Scotch Whisky Association is unsure why sales are down in the U.S. Perhaps it’s the fact that products like Fireball and Piehole are now flooding the market. Perhaps its the continuous price increases we’ve seen in the last few years. Or perhaps it’s the economy, stupid. Either way, spirits execs don’t seem too concerned. For now. [The Spirits Business]

Crown Royal is introducing an apple-flavored whiskey to its lineup, Crown Royal Regal Apple, which fuses Crown Royal with regal apples.  The press release mentions something about this being “innovative,” but we’re failing to see how another flavored whiskey really provides that spark of intellectual and creative genius commonly associated with the word. The 70 proof whiskey will retail for about $25 per 750ml and is expected to hit store shelves shortly.

One of the creators behind Yellow Tail wine is now facing charges of alleged involvement in a drug syndicate. Apparently running a multi-million dollar wine brand isn’t enough excitement for some folks. [Daily Mail]

Another day, another Kickstarter. But this is one we’re actually excited about. Cocktail & Sons is a startup by esteemed bartender and Friend of Drinkhacker Max Messier, who is looking to develop a very unique line of syrups and sodas to elevate the quality of your mixed drinks. The first four offerings (Spiced Demerara Syrup, Oleo Saccharum, Honeysuckle and Peppercorns, Mint and Lemon Verbena) all sound ridiculously tasty and dare we say “innovative.” Tasty stuff, and we wish Max the best of luck in this new venture! Reviews are forthcoming. [Cocktail & Sons]

In other weird wine news, Red Robin is now serving milkshakes mixed with red wine. Now taking bets on when the first minor is accidentally served one. [NYPost]

And finally today: just when you thought it was all over, it appears that the Hatfields and McCoys are at it once again. This time it’s over a whiskey. As always, it’s all about the comments section. (And, again, a review is on its way.) [Whiskey Wash]

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