Rated A

Reviews of spirits, wine, and beer (and various errata like mixers and garnishes) comprise more than 80% of the content at Drinkhacker, and the A rating represents the cream of the crop — excellent products with only minimal flaws. On a five-star scale, these products would score 4.5 stars. On the traditional 100-point scale popular with many wine and spirits graders, these products would merit scores of 94 to 97 points.

Review: Heimat Liqueurs – Nectarine, Cranberry, Elderflower, and Black Currant

By Monica Uhm | August 31, 2023 |

With this latest feature, we finally get caught up to the full offerings of the New York-based Heimat distillery, which produces farm-to-glass, fruit-only-no-additive liqueurs using fruit sourced in their “backyard” of New York through partnerships with family-owned farms. We first covered their limited edition Barrel Finished Bosc Pear early this year, followed by a profile…

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Review: Famiglia Pasqua Mai Dire Mai 2015 Valpolicella and 2013 Amarone

By Christopher Null | August 31, 2023 |

We’ve been covering the wines of Famiglia Pasqua for years now, and are excited to dig into its latest Mai Dire Mai Valpolicella bottling (at the bottom of the quality pyramid) as well as its Amarone (near the top). Both are worth your attention 2015 Famiglia Pasqua Mai Dire Mai Valpolicella DOC Superiore – Bright…

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Lost Lantern Summer 2023

Review: Lost Lantern Summer 2023 Single Cask Releases (And More)

By David Tao | August 31, 2023 |

Though they’ve released a range of American whiskeys over the last few years — Lost Lantern’s Spring 2023 releases featured a variety of single malt and bourbon whiskeys — the independent bottler is focusing on bourbon for Summer 2023. As such, this season’s Blend Series, Single Distillery Series, and Single Cask Series all feature cask-strength…

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Review: 2021 Textbook Cabernet Sauvignons – Napa Valley and Paso Robles

By Christopher Null | August 28, 2023 |

When people say something’s a “textbook” example, we know exactly what they’re talking about — especially in the wine world. It’s a genius name for a wine brand, with Jonathan Pey and Abi Horstman blending California fruit with European-inspired winemaking to produce “textbook” examples of the most popular California varietals — with a particular focus…

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Review: Rabbit Hole Founder’s Collection Dareringer Cask Strength Bourbon

By Drew Beard | August 26, 2023 |

Hot on the heels of their 10th anniversary release, Tenniel, Kentucky’s Rabbit Hole Distillery is out with yet another limited edition, the fourth in their Founder’s Collection line. Like their very first Founder’s release, Boxergrail, this latest offering is a rare, cask strength formulation of another whiskey from the core lineup. The details, per Rabbit…

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Review: Beattie’s Potato and Sweet Potato Vodkas

By Jonathan Glover | August 24, 2023 |

  The designation “farm-to-table” will always receive a Bourdainian side-eye from me. It’s one of those oft-used, food-adjacent phrases like “craft,” “handmade,” and “gourmet” that are intended to evoke a specific feeling while not necessarily meaning much of anything at all. And so, here we have Beattie’s Distillers, whose slogan prominently displayed on the front…

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Review: Harpoon Juicer, UFO Florida Citrus, and Sticky Bun Stout

By Christopher Null | August 23, 2023 |

Today we dive into three very different beers from Boston’s Harpoon. No need to prolong the prologue. Let’s dive in. Harpoon Juicer Hazy IPA – Straightforward but dead-on perfect for the style, this concoction of Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy, and Azacca hops is made using a “unique brewing technique called ‘dip hopping,’ where the hops are…

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Review: 2021 Booker Wines Vertigo

By Rob Theakston | August 19, 2023 |

A glance at the website of Paso Robles-based Booker Wines immediately reveals a commitment to minimalism. Like their bottle labels, the company’s story is conveyed using only the most essential of elements, aligning with the practice and philosophies of legendary Japanese designer Kenya Hara. This attention to detail and austere simplicity is what aesthetically sets…

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Review: The Irishman Single Malt Irish Whiskey 12 Years Old and 17 Years Old

By Drew Beard | August 19, 2023 |

The Irishman brand underwent some tweaking in 2022 with sexy new packaging and a few edits to the core lineup. What once was the entry-level Founder’s Reserve Blend is now dubbed The Harvest and a new rum-finished expression has joined Single Malt and Vintage Cask in the non-age stated portion of the portfolio. All that…

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Review: Virginia Distillery Co. Scholar’s Craft American Single Malt

By Robert Strohmeyer | August 18, 2023 |

Touting “Coffee Cask” aging on its label, Virginia Distillery Co.’s Scholar’s Craft American Single Malt Whisky immediately caught my attention. As lover of all things coffee, I was intrigued by the proposition of a 100% barley single malt aged in former bourbon casks and finished in coffee barrels. Virginia Distillery Co. is well known for…

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