Review: Penelope Bourbon Havana
I’m not sure I could name another distillery that’s going more with twists on both production and finishing than Penelope, which seems to roll out a new, unheard-of whiskey every month or two. Its latest is Havana, which is unique finished twice before bottling and which revolves around maple syrup. (Why this isn’t called Penelope…
Review: Pasote Tequila Blanco Still Strength
Pasote hit the scene in 2016, and we were huge fans of one of its inaugural expressions in particular, the reposado, which even made our holiday guide that year. Nine years later Pasote is back with a line extension — its blanco delivered at still strength, a whopping 55% abv. Pasote Tequila Blanco Still Strength…
Review: Wines of Merryvale, 2025 Releases
Merryvale has been a California winemaking icon since 1983 (with roots stretching back well before that), and today it remains one of the most reliable operators in state, producing a range of wines that run from premium to the absolute top-of-the-line. Today we’re excited to check out a trio of new releases from the operation,…
Review: Widow Jane The Vaults 15 Years Old 2024
Brooklyn-based Widow Jane continues to prove that blending is serious business, and its devotion to experimentation isn’t going to stop even under its newish ownership of Heaven Hill. “The Vaults” releases have arrived annually since 2019, each of them well-aged bourbons with often unusual finishing. The fifth Vaults release, from late 2024, is probably its…
Review: Gardenista Cocktails, Complete Lineup
“Is that absinthe?” my wife asked as I waved a glass of Gardenista in front of her face. No. It’s not. It’s a ready-to-drink cocktail that is unlike any other I’ve encountered to date. Three versions of Gardenista are available — but the bummer is that they’re all made with the same recipe: base spirit…
Review: Rebel 108 Bourbon Kyle Busch Single Barrel
Start your engines, whiskey fans! Luxco’s Rebel Bourbon has hit the track in style, revving up its partnership with Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle “Rowdy” Busch. This isn’t just any bourbon – it’s the official sip of speed, with Busch himself handpicking barrels for the limited edition Rebel Bourbon Kyle Busch…
Book Review: The Curious Bartender’s Agave Safari
In the latest book in his Curious Bartender series, set to be released on April 8th, award-winning bar owner and bestselling author Tristan Stephenson offers a comprehensive guide to Mexico’s agave spirits. In the past twenty years, Stephenson has visited over 100 countries and 500 distilleries to hear the stories behind the brands and offer…
Review: Pegasus Shooting Star Vodka
It’s a first-of-its-kind: meteorite-infused ultra-premium vodka. Hailing from Burgundy, France, Pegasus Distillerie was founded in 2021 by Maxime Girardin, a third-generation winemaker who wished to step beyond the grape and produce spirits in this renowned terroir. See my review of Orion Gin from Pegasus Distillerie for more on the brand’s background and distilling practices. The…