Review: Torres 20 Hors d’Age Brandy
While most Spanish brandy hails from Jerez, in Andalucia, a small portion is produced in the Catalonian region of Penedes. Torres is one of two producers in this region, and they’ve been making the stuff for generations using wines from two different grapes, parellada and ugni blanc. They double distill in pot stills and then…
Review: NV La Marca Luminore Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
You know La Marca for its ubiquitous, low-price, blue-labelled Prosecco — but did you know there’s a higher-end La Marca, one that’s grown in the prestigious region of Conegliano Valdobbiadene? Luminore is a clear step up from standard-grade La Marca — and most other Proseccos — with a complexity that feels almost cocktail-like. There’s so…
Review: Ironclad Distillery Small Batch Bourbon and Straight Bourbon
Ironclad Distillery Co. opened its doors in Newport News, Virginia back in 2015. The name comes from the first naval battle between armored warships, called Ironclads, which took place in waters just off the Port of Newport News during the Civil War. The distillery is owned and operated by the King family and focuses exclusively…
4 from the Rhone: Syrah-Based Red Wines, 2020 Releases
As most wine fans know, France’s Rhone Valley is the spiritual home of syrah, and most of the red wines from this region draw heavily on the grape. (The so-called GSM blend, iconic to Rhone wines, adds in grenache and mourvedre, more local classics.) Recently we had a chance to check out four Rhone Valley…
Review: Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 Years Old (2020)
It’s probably taken us too long to get around to a review of this 18-year-old bottling from Glenmorangie, but at last, here we are. This one begins life as a 15-year-old single malt aged in ex-bourbon barrels, 30 percent of which is then moved for a further three years to Spanish oloroso casks. It’s finally…
Review: Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt
We’ve previously covered Rampur Select, the entry level expression of this Indian single malt whisky, and now we’re taking a step up. Rampur Double Cask is aged in a mix of bourbon barrels and sherry casks, though no age statements are included. Let’s give it a try. The nose is warm and grain forward, but…
Review: Hotel Tango Rum and Bourbon
Hotel Tango is a new operation in Indianapolis, Indiana, and its military canteen-inspired bottle and label designs are killer. (They’re also intentional, as HT is the first combat-disabled, veteran-owned distillery in the U.S.) The distillery makes a wide range of spirits — nine at current count — ranging from bourbon to limoncello. Today we taste…
Review: 2018 Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Chalk Hill’s Sonoma Coast chardonnay is always a great bargain, and the new 2018 vintage is no exception. Bold and aggressive with notes of figs, buttered popcorn, and spiced pears, the wine doesn’t hold back, pouring on notes of vanilla and coconut milk as things build on the palate. Creamy and opulent in its texture,…
