Book Review: The Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey history is simply history. Due to lingering Prohibitionist sentiments, we don’t learn much about the role that alcohol has played in American and world history, but the history still exists. In 1791, the fledgling United States of America was still trying to establish an identity and was ripe with debt accrued from the Revolutionary…
Review: Russell’s Reserve Bourbon 15 Years Old 2024
The It Bourbon of the summer has quickly revealed itself as this new release from Wild Turkey’s Russell’s Reserve line, the oldest age-stated release that the brand has ever put out. The date on the label implies that there will be future releases of this spirit, likely annually. There’s nothing particularly crazy to discuss regarding…
Review: 2021 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Chris’s Cuvee
The Chris in question is Chris Kenefick, the winemaker at Kenefick Ranch. His 2021 cab-heavy blend is composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, and 6% Cabernet Franc — a heady recipe, to be sure. The wine is aged in new French oak for 18 months before bottling. Let’s give it a try. A…
Review: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 10 Years Old Spring 2024 Edition
After an 8 year old expression in Fall 2023 (which didn’t arrive until well into 2024), Heaven Hill’s Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond wheated bourbon is back with a new 10 year old offering, distilled in the Spring of 2014. Old Fitz is almost always a corn-heavy expression and this bottling doesn’t rock the boat. Notes…
Review: Wines of Compris, 2021 Vintage
Oregon’s Compris is a new operation that produces a wide range of wines that include the standard-bearers of the Willamette Valley… plus some surprises, too. Today we look at a five-pack of wines all from the 2021 vintage, all of which are in current release and which are all fairly reasonable in price. 2021 Compris…
Review: Lagavulin 11 Years Old Offerman Edition Caribbean Rum Oak Cask 2024
Nick Offerman — a rum guy? For his fourth collab with Lagavulin, Offerman turns to a different island for inspiration, the pop culture icon takes 11 year old standard-issue Lagavulin (aged in ex-bourbon and sherry casks) and finishes it for 8 more months in Caribbean rum casks. It’s an old trick but not one that’s…
Review: Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2020 Riserva and 2018 Bellezza
Gabbiano is one of the biggest names in Chianti, widely available internationally, its various expressions ranging from under 10 dollars a bottle to upwards of $200. Today we look at a pair of wholly accessible but high-quality expressions from the Chianti Classico region, both of which should be readily available stateside. 2020 Castello di Gabbiano…
Review: Revivalist Garden Gin
The trend in additive-free, “good-for-you” spirits continues apace with a new addition to the ever-expanding catalogue of gin options, Revivalist Garden Gin. Produced by Botanery Barn Distillery in Elverson, Pennsylvania, this gin is the product of collaboration with purported gin connoisseur and New York City mixologist Brendan Bartley. We already encountered another Revivalist expression years…
