Rated C
Reviews of spirits, wine, and beer (and various errata like mixers and garnishes) comprise more than 80% of the content at Drinkhacker. At the C level, products are considered common and lackluster at best. These products are almost never recommended, as better alternatives abound. On a five-star scale, these products would score 2 stars. On the traditional 100-point scale popular with many wine and spirits graders, these products would merit scores of 72 to 74 points.
Natty Light, the brand you know and love, is spreading its wings with numerous new products including, of course, a malt beverage-based seltzer, which is available in four flavors. The twist? They’re all sour — the first ever sour seltzer, per the company — so fans of the mouth-puckering stuff may find them a refreshing…
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We’re back for our third round with the Virginia’s Governor’s Cup Gold Medalists — a selection of the best wines from the state’s annual wine competition. As has been the norm for the past two years, it’s a well-mixed collection of whites, reds, and dessert bottlings. Let’s dig in. 2014 Trump Sparkling Brut Reserve Monticello –…
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Kasama Rum is a new brand being produced by Alexandra Dorda – the daughter of Tad Dorda, who co-founded Belvedere and Chopin Vodka in the early ’90s. Now the Filipino-Polish entrepreneur is here to bring a rum featuring both of her cultures to the masses. It’s distilled in the Philippines and bottled in Poland, after…
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Our final look at the beers of Radeberg, Germany-based Radeberger includes these two eponymous, classic pilsners, one filtered and one not. Radeberger Pilsner – A crisp and unassuming lager, malty and fresh with plenty of cereal notes dominating. It’s as straightforward as a pilsner can get, though notes of lightly undercooked dough on the back…
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How far has Texas come as a wine producer? Let’s find out with these two recently released bottlings. 2018 Aire y Sol Viognier Texas – Not immediately recognizable as viognier; I probably would have suggested a funkier, greener sauvignon blanc had I tasted this blind. Fairly astringent with ammonia notes, the wine is pungent with…
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Berry Brothers & Rudd is another venerable independent bottler which curates a wide variety of spirits beyond single malts (wine, gin, Cognac, etc). This timely review takes us back to a 2018 release and Speyside’s Glen Keith distillery. A bit of historical background via Berry Bros. website: Glen Keith (a.k.a. Glenkeith), was established on the…
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The Milagro line of tequilas has expanded, but its original, core lineup continues to be a popular, affordable, and widely available option that we last reviewed in 2015. Let’s try the most recent bottlings and see how they compare to earlier ones. All expressions continue to be 100% blue agave and 80 proof. Milagro Tequila…
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Saint Liberty is sourced whiskey, but not what you’re thinking. It’s distilled in all sorts of places and bottled in even stranger locales (Colorado, Montana) — with two of its three whiskeys hailing from Texas. None of its products are distilled in Indiana or Kentucky. And the company itself is based… in Austin, Texas. The…
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Much to their credit, the folks at Mighty Swell keep the new additions to the flavor profile ever-changing. This scrappy little Austin upstart continues to carve out their own little space in the ready-to-drink cocktail world. They are back once again with four new flavors for consideration. Each 12-ounce can checks in at 5% abv…
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1800 Tequila markets The Ultimate Margarita, its brand of pre-made, ready-to serve margaritas, as “the #1 premium margarita.” This may be the case, but that perhaps says more about the general quality of bottled/canned margaritas than anything else. Made with “premium tequila, triple sec liqueur, natural flavors and certified colors” and available in six flavors…
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