Review: Bruichladdich Octomore 11.1, 11.3 and 10 Years Old R2020
The latest Octomore release is here, and our friends from Islay’s Bruichladdich, Head Distiller Adam Hannett and Production Director Allan Logan, recently took the time to walk us through the lineup — or, at least, 3/4 of it — in a Zoom-based “master class” exploration of the “the world’s most heavily peated whisky.” As usual,…
Review: 6 Prosecco Wines, 2020 Releases
If Covid hit Prosecco, you wouldn’t ever know it. I feel like we’ve been inundated with the stuff since the beginning of the pandemic, to the point where I need to take a break from it. With that said, here’s a look at 6 new releases from Valdobbiadene. NV Trevisiol Prosecco Rive di Collalto Valdobbiadene…
Review: Laphroaig Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks Edition 2020
Laphroaig’s special-edition Cairdeas releases often fall back on wine casks — its 2013 Port cask release remains one of my favorite Islay whiskies ever — so this 2020 offering offers some familiar elements. It’s a marriage of fully matured second-fill Ruby Port barriques and ex-bourbon barrels, which is then finished in red wine casks. As…
Recipe: Longitude Line
The Longitude Line comes to us from Kaikyo Distillery in Japan, where Hatozaki whiskeys and the new 135 East gin are produced. We’ll be reviewing 135 East shortly. In the meantime, here’s the delightful signature cocktail they designed to showcase 135’s best features. Longitude Line 1 oz. 135 East Gin 1/3 oz. Akashi Tai Umeshu…
Review: Volley Spiked Seltzers
What’s trendier than spiked seltzers right now? Tequila-based spiked seltzers. And here’s one of the newest to flood the shelves this summer. Volley is made using just three ingredients: 100% blue agave tequila, sparkling water, and organic juice. They’re also low-calorie and gluten free with no added sugars, natural flavorings, essences, or corn syrup. Volley…
The Best Creme de Menthe Roundup – Green and White
As liqueurs go, creme de menthe doesn’t have the most sterling of reputations. Many drinkers are understandably put off by the pungent mint aroma and the technicolor green hue, which is invariably due to a whole lot of artificial color. Of course, creme de menthe comes in two varieties, and in fact, most higher-end creme…
Review: Wallenpaupack Oktoberfest Marzen
Hawley, Pennsylvania’s Wallenpaupack Brewing doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue, but if you’re looking for a beer to celebrate the final days of Oktoberfest, this festive marzen should do the trick. Authentically Germanic, made with Munich malt and noble hops, it’s got that ruddy, bready maltiness that cries out for a sausage, or at least…
Review: Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignons – 2016 Monte Rosso and 2017 Napa Valley
We’re back with Louis Martini and two new Cabernet Sauvignon releases, a mainline bottling from 2017 and an upper tier offering from the 2016 vintage. 2016 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Rosso Vineyard – This Sonoma-grown single vineyard wine (93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec) is one of Martini’s highest-end bottlings. The…
