Review: Gnarly Head “Authentic” White and Red Wines, 2013 Releases
Gnarly Head extends its budget “Authentic” wine collection from Red to White this month. “Authentic” seems to be a euphemism for “Big Blend of Everything in the Field,” which I guess doesn’t look as good on the label. Thoughts on the new Authentic White and the already-out Authentic Red follow. 2011 Gnarly Head Authentic White…
Review: Buffalo Trace Distillery Single Oak Project Bourbon Round Nine
We’re over the hump and on to the last half of Buffalo Trace’s “Single Oak Project” experiment. Now two years into the four year experiment, with this ninth round of experimental, single-barrel Bourbons we hope to find the Holy Grail of just what is responsible for the perfect glass of whiskey. Previous rounds can be…
Review: Obsello II Absinthe Verte
We’ve long since noted Obsello as one of our favorite absinthes on the market. Unfortunately, the American-born, Spanish-made product went off the market a few years ago. But now it’s back, in a slightly revised form. Obsello II looks almost identical to its original rendition, with a few little twists. For starters, instead of being…
Recipe: The Drinks of Summer 2013 – Cognac and Iced Tea Edition
The dog days of summer haven’t quite hit us yet, although with the rapidly changing global climate who knows exactly when they’ll be here. In honor of two drinking holidays (Today is National Cognac Day and June 10th is National Iced Tea day), we present two refreshing recipes to help you keep cool. Stay tuned…
Review: 2011 Alto Cinco Garnacha
A lively wine from the Cariñena region in the north of Spain, this 94% Garnacha/6% Tempranillo bottling is loaded with character. Fresh fruit is at the core, with some tar and licorice notes underpinning it, particularly on the nose. Extended time with air brings out more earth and a rubber-like character. The finish remains fresh…
Review: James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon, Rye, and 15 Year Old Expressions of Both
James E. Pepper is an old, old name in the whiskey world (Kentucky is plastered with the name), and the heritage of the Bourbon associated with the name is deep, rich, and (if you go to the whiskey’s website) fun to look back upon. In fact, Bourbon has been made under the James E. Pepper…
Review: Virginia Distillery Virginia Highland Malt Whisky
Eades Whisky broke ground in 2008 with the then-bold goal of growing, malting, and distilling its own barley to make single malt whisky in Virginia. Since then, the craft distilling movement has gone wild, and the idea of making whisky styled like single malt Scotch in the U.S. is no longer a wild one. Eades…
Review: Hermitage Brewing Company India Pale Ale Single Hop Series – El Dorado
When most beer is brewed, it’s made with a variety of hops, designed to add complexity and a variety of flavors to a brew. But Hermitage Brewing, based in San Jose, California, has a series of brews with a unique focus: Using one strain of hops per beer. As the name implies, this IPA is…
