Review: Patron Silver Tequila
For many, Patron is the gold standard of premium tequila. And indeed, Patron has done for the tequila market what Grey Goose did for vodka. Whether you like them or not, they have convinced the world that there were people out there who would pay for expensive versions of what many had previously assumed only…
Review: 2009 Caminada Chardonnay Uco Valley Mendoza Argentina
Caminada is a Mendoza, Argentina-based winery which sources fruit from the mountains above the Uco Valley. The wine (along with its Malbec) is simple and uncomplex. There’s citrus and lemon on the nose, pairing well with a decent, fruity body. No real finish to speak of, Caminada ends short and simple. Wood aging is limited,…
Tasting Report: Family Winemakers of California 2010
As in years past, Family Winemakers of California proves itself to be a vast and nearly unmanageable monster of a wine show. Now in its 20th year, this San Francisco event featured a whopping 340 wineries and thousands of wines being sampled. While I’m not entirely sure how the likes of Kendall-Jackson, here for the…
Extreme Margarita Close-Up
It’s just as pretty under a microscope as it is in an oversized, salt-rimmed, cactus-themed cocktail glass. What Booze Looks Like Under a Microscope Keep hitting Next. The White Russian is super trippy…
Review: Canadian Mist Black Diamond Whisky
Canadian Mist is known as a smooth, very simple, and, above all else, extremely cheap Canadian whisky. Now the company is trying to expand, broadening its product range and upgrading its image with more premium bottlings. Canadian Mist Black Diamond is billed — alongside a gold-etched autograph from the distiller — as “a richer, more…
Review: Deschutes Brewery Jubelale Winter Ale 2010
I’ve still got Modelo in my fridge but the first winter beer has already arrived: Deschutes’ annual Christmas brew, Jubelale. Not to be confused with Jubel 2010 (a special, aged version of Jubelale), this year’s Jubelale is as easygoing as the 2009 edition. Sweet on the tongue, it’s balanced with just the right amount of…
Review: Brinley Gold Shipwreck Spiced Rum
More spiced rum (check out the chatter on the BlackBeard coverage here, and keep the fun going below) from the folks at Brinley, which makes some very good flavored rums. Shipwreck hails from St. Kitts and is aged for four years before being juiced up with exotic (and unnamed) spices. Brinley’s rendition of spiced rum…
Review: ResQwater Peach and Pomegranate
Once a sweetened but otherwise unflavored hangover remedy, ResQwater now comes in flavors. Much like, say, a bottle of Vitamin Water, the flavoring part is pretty mild, giving the new ResQwater a pale, pastel complexion. The flavoring doesn’t appear to have any basis in actual fruit — aside from “natural flavors” — and, more importantly,…
