Review: Rock Town Bourbons – Small Batch, Toasted French Oak, and Cask Strength
Rock Town Distillery is not new to bourbon; the distillery started in 2010 in Little Rock, Arkansas and produces bourbon, as well as vodka and liqueurs. But then recently, the founder took a trip to Kentucky. The story goes like this: In March of 2020, Rock Town’s Founder and Head Distiller Phil Brandon embarked…
Review: Omage American Brandy – VS, VSOP, and XO
Inspired by Cognac, made in America, Omage is the brainchild of Julious Grant, a 30-year wine and spirits industry veteran with brandy in his blood. Omage is made from California-grown grapes (the varieties aren’t specified) with methods similar to those used in Cognac, all intended to mimic the king of all brandies. That said, it’s…
Review: Barmen 1873 Bourbon
Coors – yes, that Coors – is now making whiskey. In case this is news to you, check out Chris’s review last year of their surprisingly solid inaugural whiskey offering, Five Trail. That bottle was a unique blend of bourbon and single malt produced in partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Co., a distillery exceedingly adept at…
Review: Wines of Santa Cruz Mountains, 2023 Releases
Forget the Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley. The Santa Cruz Mountains represent some of the most rugged winemaking areas in California, if not the U.S. as a whole. This high, steep region towers over Monterey and Silicon Valley on one side, the Pacific Ocean on the other. Some of California’s earliest winemaking operations — including…
Bar Review: Antidote at Chemist Spirits, Asheville, North Carolina
The vibrant, artsy town of Asheville, North Carolina is synonymous with craft beer, but breweries aren’t the only place in town to quench your thirst. While beer may have put the city on the tourist map decades ago, that popularity has spawned a vibrant bar scene that’s as diverse and dynamic as the town’s craft…
Review: Drumshanbo with California Orange Citrus Gunpowder Irish Gin
We’re back with another new Drumshanbo gin from Ireland’s The Shed Distillery. Like the 2021 addition to the portfolio, Drumshanbo With Sardinian Citrus, the name is self-explanatory if a bit awkward. The focus for this new gin, once again, is on the citrus component in the ginbill. The distillery’s founder, PJ Rigney, apparently fell in…
Review: 2021 Three Sticks Chardonnay Origin and Pinot Noir Monarch
Three Sticks isn’t just known as the place where Kyrsten Sinema interned, it’s also the home of some pretty nice wines. Today we dig into two new releases from the 2021 vintage, including a chardonnay and a pinot noir — both staples from the outfit. 2021 Three Sticks Chardonnay Origin Durell Vineyard – A gorgeous, opulent…
Review: Ravella Tequila Extra Anejo
We have seen a number of tequila brands fronted by celebrities, but this is the first I know of to be fronted by a celebrity company. Ravella is a new tequila brand being released by 11 Ravens, a high-end manufacturing company known for its custom luxury game tables, including billiards, table tennis, poker, and more.…