Review: Giffard Triple Sec
Let’s take another dive into Giffard‘s spin on an essential cocktail ingredient: triple sec, in this case presented as a triple-distilled, clear expression of the classic orange liqueur. Giffard Triple Sec is fine but not overly unique, leaning more heavily on sweeteners than you’d expect considering the usual fare from the brand. Yes, the…
Review: 2020 DeLille Cellars Red Willow Malbec
A 100% Malbec from Washington’s Yakima Valley, one of the numerous vineyards owned by DeLille. Similar to other Malbecs from the region, this tends to favor the traditional French profile at first, leading with classic notes of raspberry and cherry on the nose, oscillating back and forth until earthy aromas of leather and mushroom make…
Review: Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Voyage
For its latest installment in the long-running Master’s Keep series, Wild Turkey is taking us on a voyage. A voyage to where? Jamaica, where rum casks have been brought in to finish its classic Kentucky bourbon. Made in a first-time collaboration with Appleton master blender Joy Spence, the whiskey starts as a 10 year old…
Review: 2019 Gran Moraine Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton
A case in point why you should be drinking more Oregon chardonnay instead of California chardonnay. This juicy number is loaded with notes of guava and lychee, some lemon curd, and a healthy dusting of floral notes that evoke rose petals and orange blossoms in tandem. It’s acidic on the finish but leaves room for…
Review: The Four Roses Ten Recipe Tasting Experience
Four Roses is famous for its 10 bourbon recipes — but outside of the single barrel releases, it’s impossible to actually taste them on their own, as they’re variously blended into all of Four Roses’ other products. Even the single barrel releases aren’t all that instructive into what the recipes bring to the table, as…
Review: Tilden Non-Alcoholic Cocktails – Tandem and Lacewing
Non-alcoholic spirits and other beverages continue to raise their profile, and a new brand called Tilden is taking the bottled cocktail approach toward NA, offering two ready-to-serve offerings in 750ml bottles, designed for enjoying over ice. We tasted both expressions and have some opinions to share. Tilden Tandem – A wild combination of savory and…
Review: 6 Rums from the Plantation “Under the Sea” Collection, 2023 Releases
Plantation Rum has just dropped six new expressions in its Plantation Rum Vintage Collection, all rare, small batch collections of just a few dozen barrels each, all sourced from single distilleries and none younger than nine years of age. Dubbed the “Under the Sea” collection, we were fortunate to try all six for review. Plantation…
Review: Sierra Nevada Juicy Little Thing IPA
Sierra Nevada’s latest “Little Thing” should surprise no one, a “juicy” style IPA that works as a counterpart to its already existing Hazy Little Thing expression. They’re not dissimilar brews, the Juicy version offering a brighter tropical note that is complemented by notes of coriander, lemongrass, and more malt than you’d expect. A sprinkle of…