Review: Hollywood Oasis Vodka
Technically Hollywood Distillery Oasis Unfiltered Vodka, but likely to become known more by the giant “Hollywood” on the bottle vs. the tiny “Oasis,” this new spirit is unique in that it is distilled not from wheat, potatoes, or even wine grapes but — drum roll — organic Medjool dates. Outfit with an ultra-premium price and…
Review: Crook & Marker Spiked Lemonade – Classic, Watermelon, Raspberry, and Blueberry
We already walked you through Crook & Marker’s spiked tea offerings earlier this summer, so now here’s a look at their line of hard lemonades. As with their boozy teas, this lineup from the health-conscious makers of Bai is about as wholesome and natural as alcohol in a can gets. Each is 4% abv, sugar…
Review: Bardstown Bourbon Chateau de Laubade
The upstart Bardstown Bourbon Company continues to make a name for itself by collaborating with any number of unusual — arguably obscure, even — brands, using a whole bunch of oddball barrels to finish its wares. The latest limited release is a collaboration with French brandy-maker Château de Laubade, taking 12 year old MGP bourbon…
Review: Chronic Cellars 2019 Rose and 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Chronic Cellars is a cheeky brand from Paso Robles best known for its fanciful product names. Here’s a look at two new releases from the outfit. 2019 Chronic Cellars Pink Pedals Rose – 100% grenache. Strawberry juice in a bottle, this ultra-fruity rose is dripping with berry notes, sweet cream, and an edge of vanilla. Sweet…
Review: Barrell Rye Batch 1 and 3
They may be referred to as Barrell Bourbon, but Joe Beatrice and crew blend more than just America’s native spirit (see here and here, for example). It took a few years, but finally in 2017, Barrell introduced a rye whiskey to their lineup. Unlike the bourbons, which have seen 2 or 3 different batch releases a year…
Review: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Cocktail Bitters
Hey, Jack Daniel’s finally has its own line of bitters: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Cocktail Bitters, designed to “work hand in hand with Old No. 7.” Let’s give them a try. The nose is heavy on cloves and nutmeg, the intensity coming across a little like a funky jerk spice. Some dark cocoa powder notes emerge…
Review: Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker 10 Years Old
Diageo continues to honor the women in its past and present — or, at least, it’s been trying to. This special edition of Johnnie Walker — dubbed Jane Walker — is probably the most visible of its recent releases. The astute drinker may recall another “Jane Walker” release, which was just Johnnie Walker Black Label…
Review: Wines of Cameron Hughes, 2020 Releases
Four new offerings from the well-known, recently-revived negociant Cameron Hughes. 2018 Cameron Hughes Lot 718 Chardonnay Russian River Valley – This chardonnay is redolent with notes of melon and guava, an exotic mix of sweet and savory that rolls across the tongue like a conga line, and there’s a seaweed/saline note on the finish that…
