Review: Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Batch 027
Chattanooga Whiskey recently announced new releases for their Experimental Batch line. Now up to 27 total expressions, these releases include a variety of house-distilled spirits with unique distillates, finishes, infusions, and blends. We’ve previously reviewed their Founder’s 10th Anniversary Blend and Whiskey 91 & Cask 111 expressions, though their experimental line features spirits with much…
Review: Dewar’s 12 Years Old (2022)
Dewar’s has been on a bit of a tear lately under the stewardship of Master Blender Stephanie Macleod. From the extra-aged Double Double line to back-to-back The Champions Editions and a continuous march of awkwardly-named “Smooth” releases. With the recent revamp of the standard “white label” 12-year-old, it now appears they’ve begun to tinker with…
Review: 2021 Sosie Rose of Syrah
Here’s a syrah-based rose made from estate grapes grown at Vivio Vineyard in Sonoma’s Bennett Valley. The immediate surprise here is how salty this wine is: Loaded with saline, the saltiness detracts from the fruitier notes in the mix — strawberry, with some maraschino cherry blended in. Marshmallow cream is evident throughout, rounding out the…
Review: Bruichladdich Octomore 13.1, 13.2, and 13.3
It’s lucky round 13 for Octomore — the undisputed most heavily peated whisky in regular production — with again three varieties in release. Like 12.2, the sherry-aged Octomore 13.2 will be in general retail instead of duty free only, so feel free to hop down to your local merchant to ask for an allocation. We…
Review: Epic Western La Paloma, Chispa Rita, and Ranch Water
Epic Western is situated just a few miles from my home in Austin, where it produces a trilogy of Texas-themed canned cocktails, all made with 100% agave tequila, sparkling water, and — as you’ll soon see — salt. Ready to give them a taste? Let’s crack open some cans and dive in. All are served…
Review: 2018 Knostman Malbec
Oregon’s Umpqua Valley isn’t exactly an immediate selection one thinks of when discussing West Coast wines, but a quick search on the Umpqua Valley Winegrowers site reveals nearly two dozen wineries in operation, with more on the way. This malbec comes from the Knostman Family Vineyard, an up-and-coming operation with plenty of varietals from which…
Review: Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon – Limited Edition (2022)
Every year, Angel’s Envy drops a barrel proof version of its iconic Port-finished bourbon, and while the proof changes slightly from one year to the next, the overall through-line doesn’t vary all that much. 2022’s release is no surprise, its burgundy-hued color a treat for the eyes, before you ever dip into it. Big and fiery…
Review: 2020 La Posta Pizzella Malbec
Laura Catena is busy enough racking up award after award for her family’s flagship Catena lines that one would think between co-authoring one of the best books on Malbec, running the day-to-day operations of the family business, running a medical clinic, and releasing new high-altitude variations on malbec that she would have enough on her…
