Review: Remy Martin VSOP and Tercet
We’re backfilling some forgotten expressions in the Remy Martin Cognac lineup today, with belated reviews of Remy’s VSOP and Tercet expressions. Details follow, along with some opinions. Remy Martin VSOP – A big blend of eaux de vie from all over Cognac — Grande Champagne, Fine Champagne, and Petite Champagne. A simpler expression of brandy,…
Book Review: The Alchemist Cabinet: Vol. 1: Philosophy
In a modern landscape filled with a seemingly endless supply of large and craft distillers, the title of “master distiller” is a bit murky. We all know who has definitely earned the title of master distiller, but the bigger question is regarding those who claim the title with a questionable or unaccomplished resume. We don’t…
Review: 2XO The Kiawah Blend
Dixon Dedman and his 2XO Icon Series have rapidly become one of those must-watch release stories since launching in 2023. Drinkhacker has kept studious pace from the get-go with each of their three limited release blends to date: The Pheonix Blend, The Innkeeper’s Blend, and The Tribute Blend. The backstory and profile of this new…
Review: Larkmead 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Firebelle
Napa’s Larkmead has been on quite a roll these past few years, garnering high praise from our site as well as others. The venerable winery produces a diverse range of varietals across several unique terroirs, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc which are all complex and distinctive. Today, we have the privilege of enjoying…
Review: Lost Spirits Japonisme Rum
I’ve been writing about Lost Spirits for as long as I can remember — and part of the reason I can’t remember that far back is because I’ve consumed my share of Lost Spirits’ products, which are often ultra-proof rums designed to mimic, as the name suggests, “lost” styles of boozemaking. The company remains at…
Review: Wines of the Cotes du Rhone, 2024 Releases
France’s Côtes du Rhône region is vast, complex, and varied, home to rustic reds and unusual whites and everything in between. 23 grape varieties are allowed to be used in the Côtes du Rhône AOC, with grenache, syrah, and mourvedre the standard bearers that created the “GSM” moniker that describes numerous wines made in the…
Review: Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof 2024
Woodford Reserve’s Batch Proof release for 2024 arrives early this time, arriving this year at a relatively tame 121.2 proof. As always, “Batch Proof showcases the flavor nuances created from batching 100+ different Woodford Reserve barrels together, then presenting that bourbon at the exact proof from the barrels.” Other than abv, it’s essentially a barrel…
Review: High Desert Cactus Vodka
Further proof that you can make vodka out of anything, High Desert is made from prickly pear cacti harvested in the high desert of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. That’s really the whole story: There’s a whole lotta cactus out there in the southern deserts, so good on ’em for trying to do something useful with…