Review: Writers’ Tears Cask Strength Irish Whiskey 2023
Since the brand first arrived stateside in 2016, we’ve covered several expressions of Writers’ Tears over the years (here and here), most recently one of their newest releases, Red Head, aged in sherry casks. The brand has offered a rare cask strength bottling annually since 2011, but we’ve only ever had the opportunity to sample…
2019 McBride Sisters Collection Reserve Pinot Noir “Papatuanuku” Central Otago
We always love a wine with a story behiund it: “Papatuanuku” is Maori for “Mother Earth,” symbolizing the stewardship and strong bond the McBride Sisters have to the land and vineyards they grow their grapes from. Inspired by Aotearoa New Zealand, where Andréa grew up splitting time between her matriarchal side of the family, this…
Review: Volcan de Mi Tierra Tequila X.A.
Volcan de Mi Tierra is one of those ultra-premium tequila brands that deserves its status. Its blanco and cristalino bottlings are both top-tier offerings, and recently the brand finally added another expression to its lineup, Volcan X.A., a blend of reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequilas packaged in an over-the-top bottle complete with a battery-powered…
Review: Appleton Estate Rum 17 Years Old Legend
Wray and Nephew has been behind some of the most famous rums in history, and rightfully so. Its 17 year old rum created at Appleton’s Jamaican estate in the 1940s is said to have inspired the original Mai Tai cocktail. Now, it’s back. Sort of. Appleton’s Joy Spence has put together a recreation, which is…
Review: Gary Farrell 2021 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Russian River Selection
Summer can only mean it’s time to spend some time with Gary Farrell and its latest Russian River Selection series releases — which include chardonnay and pinot noir from two years prior. 2021 was a heavy drought year for the region, so let’s see how the resulting wines have turned out. 2021 Gary Farrell Chardonnay…
Review: Selections from the Macbeth Whiskey Collection, Act One
Ah, Macbeth. The Scottish play. The Thane of Glamis. The Murderous King. The… collection of 42 whiskies hand-selected by Livingstone and Elixir Distillers? OK, we’re listening. This way-out-there concept celebrates Macbeth by taking 42 Scotch whiskies and pairing them with 42 characters from the famous play. At the top of the line is the £10,000…
Review: John Parrott Barrel Proof Bourbon
There is predictably – or perhaps peculiarly – very little public information available on John Parrott barrel proof bourbon, which is the inaugural release from newcomer SK Spirits. Per their website: “‘This whiskey is a tribute to John Parrott and everything he stood for,’ said Michael Sawyer, SK Spirits CEO and Lead Rectifier.” And who is…