Review: Papa’s Pilar Rum Legacy Edition 2023
The latest rum from the Hemingway-inspired Papa’s Pilar Rum brand is another luxe bottling that not only honors the company’s namesake but also another man, surfing legend Greg Noll. This is the third Legacy Edition and the second we’ve reviewed. Some background: Papa’s Pilar Rum was created alongside the Hemingway family to celebrate Hemingway’s life.…
Review: Domaine Bousquet Cameleon 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2022 Chardonnay
In the last three years, we have managed to tour almost the entire portfolio of offerings from Argentina’s Domaine Bousquet. Still, somehow, we have not had the pleasure to enjoy the vineyard’s Cameleon label. What differentiates Cameleon from any of the other lines? As best as I can determine: the sandy soils in this particular…
Review: Heaven’s Door The Exploration Series I Calvados Finish
Heaven’s Door has become a juggernaut of whiskeydom, to the point where we’ve lost count of the number of expressions the outfit has cranked out to date. The good news is they are almost uniformly excellent, so we aren’t complaining about the arrival of yet another series from Heaven’s Door: The Exploration Series. Heaven’s Door…
Review: Wines of La Prenda, 2024 Releases
La Prenda Wines was founded in 2008 by Ned and Erika Hill, who named the winery after the street where Ned’s father grew up. They are proud of their Sonoma terroir and make wines that highlight the region’s strengths. Today we are trying their Cabernet Sauvignon, Brut Rose, and Pet-Nat Sparkling Rose but under a…
Review: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 13 Years Old 25th Anniversary Edition VVS 2024
Heaven Hill’s first 2024 release of the Old Fitzgerald bottled in bond series has arrived with extra-special vibes attached: This release commemorates the 25th anniversary of Heaven Hill acquiring the historic Bernheim Distillery (DSP-KY-1) in Louisville — and along with it the Old Fitzgerald brand. This isn’t the spring release of Old Fitz — we…
Review: 2020 Eleven Eleven XI Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Knoll District
Napa’s Eleven Eleven Winery is back with a new Cabernet called XI: An “estate melange” of 11:11 and Destin Vineyards fruit: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. While bold and fully loaded with purple fruit — a mix of red and black berry notes — this Bordeaux…
Review: Nosotros Tequila and Mezcal, Complete Lineup (2024)
We’ve been big fans of Nosotros Tequila since its 2019 launch, when we enjoyed its blanco and its 2020 reposado follow-up. We’ve been sleeping on the brand since, including its anejo and cider barrel releases as well as its entry into mezcal. We correct that oversight today with a fresh look at all 5 products…
Review: Glen Deveron 16 Years Old – Royal Burgh Collection
Glen Deveron is a duty free standby with a rare, reasonable price tag, and I picked this 16 year old up on the way home from a recent trip to London. It’s a no-frills 16 year old Highlands single malt made at the Macduff distillery in the far northeast of the island, with aging in…