Review: Tequila Lobos 1707 Reposado
I will ignore the fact that this bottle looks like a canister of kerosene. And why shouldn’t I? This utterly unique tequila (which is backed by LeBron James) is rested for six months in American oak barrels, then blended with “a touch” of Lobos 1707 extra anejo tequila before being finished in Pedro Ximénez wine…
Review: 2018 Vina Esmeralda Sparkling Brut
Cava is the sparkling wine most associated with Spain, but it is not the only one made there. This Spanish sparkler, Viña Esmeralda, is made with Moscatel grapes (also called Muscat and Moscato). This prohibits it from being called Cava, which is typically made from Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parelleda grapes (among the 9 grapes permitted…
Review: The Finnish Long Drink – Zero, Strong and Cranberry
We first reviewed the original The Long Drink company’s version of the Finnish long drink (called Long Drink) here at Drinkhacker last year. They have added three new varieties to their line – Zero, which is a lower calorie version of the original; Strong, which has a higher alcohol content than the original; and Cranberry,…
Review: The Family Jones Earl Grey Juniper Jones Gin and Automatic Jones Cocktails
The Family Jones is a Colorado-based distillery that produces a wide range of single-estate, grain-to-glass spirits, including vodka, gin, rum, rye, and bourbon — all with some level of “Jones” in the name. (Strangely, no one involved with the company seems to be named Jones… the “Jones” seems only to refer to the spirits family.…
Review: 2020 Maison No. 9 Rose Mediterranee IGT
Post Malone is back with the 2020 release of his Maison No. 9 rosé from southern France. We had the chance to try it last year, so let’s see how it compares. No big surprises here: In trying the 2020, I find it similar to the 2019. Again, the wine exudes perfume, a pronounced floral…
Review: 2020 Domaine de Cala Coteaux Varois en Provence
For 2020, Provence’s Domaine de Cala Rose arrives as a blend of grenache (46%), cinsault (41%), rolle (10.5%), and syrah (2.5%) — a somewhat simpler makeup than in years past. Pale but fragrant with mixed florals on the nose, the wine quickly moves to flavors dominated by grapefruit, citrus peel, and a fair amount of honey.…
Review: Bardstown Bourbon Phifer Pavitt Reserve II
Bardstown Bourbon Co. has gone back to the well with Napa winery Phifer Pavitt, offering a second edition of its Phifer Pavitt Reserve bourbon, which is finished for 18 months in Pavitt’s cabernet sauvignon barrels. In 2019 this started off as a 9 year old Tennessee straight bourbon (84% corn, 8% rye, 8% barley). Now…
Review: 2017 and 2018 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Red Wine
Washington’s Caprio Cellars focuses on Bordeaux varietals. Today we take a look at two vintages of Eleanor, the winery’s flagship bottling and a blend of four of the five major Bordeaux grapes. 2017 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Red Wine Walla Walla Valley – 50% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 12% malbec, and 10% cabernet franc. On the…
