Review: Mellwood Bottled-in-Bond and Derby Town Barrel Proof Bourbon
Pursuit Spirits has been releasing a variety of American whiskeys under their own label for several years. Now, the podcasters-turned-bottlers are taking the brand in an additional direction with the revival of two vintage labels — and accordingly, some new whiskey to go with them. The Mellwood Legacy Collection pays homage to the site of…
Review: New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey 2025
When it comes to bourbon, Kentucky reigns supreme. The Bluegrass State is the undisputed gold standard for quality bourbon—fittingly, also home to the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox. But while Kentucky holds firm to its bourbon legacy, other states are staking claims in different corners of the American whiskey landscape. Indiana and Maryland…
Review: Wines of Baldacci, 2015 Vintage
It’s always a treat to taste wines from Napa’s Baldacci — but to receive some well-aged offerings makes for an extra special evening. While 2021 is a more representative current vintage for these cabernet releases, the winery recently released a collection of 2015 vintage offerings from its cellars, showcasing how a decade of age can alter…
Review: La Maison & Velier Flag Series Rums – Fiji 2012, Jamaica 2015, and Cambodia 2016
We love La Maison & Veilier’s Flag Series of rums — denoted by the flag of the nationality of the distiller that appears on each label — to the point where a Guyana rum in the series was named our top rum of 2023. Now we’re back with three more Flag Series bottlings, which we’ll…
Review: Sagamore Cask Strength Rye (2025)
While Kentucky may be synonymous with bourbon, Maryland holds a proud, though often overlooked, legacy as a cradle of rye whiskey. Before Prohibition, rye was America’s spirit of choice—and Maryland rye was among the most revered. But after Repeal, rye whiskey struggled to reclaim its former prominence, and in 1972, the last of Maryland’s post-Prohibition…
Review: Wines of San Simeon, 2025 Releases
San Antonio Winery’s San Simeon label is a budget brand that features fruit from most of central California. Today we look at five recent bottlings from the label. Let’s dive in. 2022 San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles – This cabernet has a surprising depth, with an intense punch of currants backed up by dark…
Review: Rolling Fork Fortuitous Union (2025)
Rolling Fork Spirits was founded in 2017 by Turner Wathen and Jordan Morris as an independent blender and bottler of exceptional rums. Operating out of Starlight Distillery in southern Indiana, the duo is dedicated to crafting distinctive spirits that push boundaries while honoring tradition. Among their standout creations is Fortuitous Union, an inspired blend of…
Review: The Cardrona New Zealand Single Malt – Just Hatched and Growing Wings
The Cardrona may sound like a boutique hotel, but it’s actually a New Zealand single malt whisky brand, now celebrating its 10th anniversary. The operation recently brought three whiskies from its growing collection to the U.S., all showcasing Cardrona at various stages of its aging process — specifically 3, 5, and 7 years old. The…