Review: Bayou Rum Reserve and XO Mardi Gras
Bayou makes Louisiana-style pot still rums, and unlike most domestic producers, it is attacking the top of the market with its wares. We recently received two of its products, including its prized XO Mardi Gras expression. Let’s dive in. Both are 80 proof. Bayou Rum Reserve Select Barrel – Solera-aged, including maturation in “wet ex-bourbon…
Review: VinXplorer Beverage Backpack and WineHive Wine Rack
What more could wine consumers want these days? It seems the metropolis of wine accessories and accoutrements at one’s fingertips are busting at the seams already. What could the community of fine wine lovers still need? FlyWithWine seems to putting that question back on the table by offering a portfolio of select products that seek…
Review: Whiskey Town American Whiskey 26 Years Old
Based in San Francisco, Fat Labrador Distillers has gradually released various sourced and wood-finished expressions under the Whiskey Town banner, including a stave-finished, 3 year old bourbon from Indiana. The other of their early sourced releases is an altogether different beast and the first in their “lost barrel” series: a 26 year old American whiskey…
Review: Wines of Ettore, 2023 Releases
As the proprietor of an organic winery in Mendocino’s Sanel Valley, winemaker Ettore Biraghi prides himself on applying old-world Italian techniques to his offerings, placing an emphasis on Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot varietals across 35 acres of vineyards. Today, we have a look at three of his most recent releases. 2019 Ettore Cabernet Sauvignon…
Review: Barrell Private Releases, 2023
Single barrel selections continue to be some of the more sought-after offerings in American whiskey, and while Barrell Whiskey does occasionally offer the traditional single barrel from their impressive whiskey stocks via various retailers, fans can also enjoy an equally limited bottle of what Barrell does best. Dubbed Private Release, Barrell’s approach to these custom…
Review: Kokomo 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2019 Malbec
Located in Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, Kokomo emerged in 2004 and presents wines from three appellations wholly distinctive in their quality: Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys. While they offer many different varietals and vintages, Kokomo makes its debut on the site today with a Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. A gratuitous tip…
A Visit to Cognac, France – Part 2: Remy Martin
After a whirlwind day with a small producer, I thought we should contrast that with one of the biggest producers in the Cognac business. At last count Rémy Martin was the #2 producer of Cognac, battling out for that spot with Martell and Courvousier, who are all neck and neck and tend to hand the…
Review: 2020 Malbecs – Susana Balbo Signature and Ben Marco
Carrying on with today’s celebration of World Malbec Day, we have two offerings from one of the leading and legendary names of Malbec. Before the buzz circling around the varietal grew large, Susana Balbo was at the forefront of the trend, crafting high-quality wines that made the world stand up and take notice. She was…
