Review: 2009 JJ Vincent Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay “J.J.”
Don’t look now, but more and more French wine producers are putting the varietal of their wines right on the label. Look no further than JJ Vincent’s Bourgogne Blanc, where “Chardonnay” is in lettering almost as large as the year of the vintage. This wine from southern Burgundy is crisp with green apple and tart…
Review: Glen Garioch Founder’s Reserve and 12 Years Old
This Highlands malt (prounounced “Glen Geery”) is relatively unknown in the U.S. Closed briefly from 1995 to 1997, it is the easternmost distillery in the Highlands and is unpeated. Glen Garioch Founder’s Reserve – This un-age-statemented bottling is a fine everyday dram, sweet and warming, with a bit of floral character, some hay, and a…
Drinkhacker’s 2010 Holiday Gift Guide – Best Alcohol/Spirits for Christmas
Another holiday season is upon us here at Drinkhacker HQ, and again we take the opportunity to look back at the best — and most gift-worthy — spirits the year had to offer. Don’t settle for giving your boss a bottle of Crown Royal again (not that we don’t like Crown Royal). Step lively and…
Review: Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
The most celebrated beer in the world, Guinness Extra Stout, has a baby brother: Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. What is it? Guinness brews “Foreign Extras” for a number of countries, and the U.S. had one in 1817. It was discontinued during Prohibition and has been off the market ever since. Now it’s back, and bolder…
Review: Wines of Arkenstone, 2007 Vintage
2007 Arkenstone Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Howell Mountain – Huge body, rich gold color, tastes slightly woody. I would not have guessed this was Sauvignon Blanc, it’s so buttery and creamy. No zip and low in acid. Very strange for Sauv Blanc, but certainly unique. B+ / $45 2007 Arkenstone Vineyards Syrah Napa Valley…
Review: Glenfiddich 21, 30, and 40 Years Old
Glenfiddich is the number one selling single malt whisky in the world. And while the green, 12-year-old expression is a fixture at bars and liquor cabinets around the world, the Highlands distillery makes some exemplary — and very rare — old whiskys, as well. We got a look at some of these special bottlings firsthand,…
Review: Don Q Limon, Gold, and Gran Anejo Rum
We’ve reviewed rums from this Puerto Rico distillery a few times before (here, and here), but this time we’re really getting into the good stuff, with Don Q’s Gran Anejo the top of the company’s standard product line. Don Q Limon Rum is the company’s citrus-flavored rum. Lemon/lime is the focus here, and the rum…
Tasting Report: 2010 CCOF Organic Wine Tasting
Here’s a funny thing: In the world of food, organics provide serious credibility: An organic food product is thought to taste better, be healthier, and is priced accordingly, often twice that of a conventional product. But in the world of wine, being organic gets you just about nothing. Organic wines are generally thought to be…
