Review: Rekorderlig Hard Apple Cider
Sweden’s Rekorderlig is known(ish) for its pear ciders, and now it’s out with a new expression built around the more familiar apple — this one with a “hard” twist. “Higher alcohol, lower sugar” is the sell here: At 6.5% abv, it’s considerably higher than the typical 4.5% or 5% abv that’s typical of the category.…
Review: Aberlour Casg Annamh
New to Aberlour’s permanent collection is Casg Annamh (cas-gg ah-nahm) meaning “rare cask” in Gaelic. But what it really means is “sherry cask,” as this is an in-depth study of the influence of sherry on this Speyside whisky. While the bottling is a triple-cask release composed of whisky aged in oloroso sherry casks, American oak…
Bar Review: Crooked Branch at the JW Marriott, San Antonio
On the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas, you’ll find the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. When they say resort, they aren’t kidding. This is a sprawling campus that includes a full on water park, massive public areas, a golf course, four restaurants, and four bars to match. The High Velocity sports…
10 Hot Toddies for 2019
Whether you’re bundled up with the sniffles or wanting to warm up from the winter cold, today we have ten hot toddies to cure your ills — in advance of National Hot Toddy Day on January 11th. Choose your favorite, grab a heavy blanket, and you’re good to go. Apple Toddy 1 oz. Bourbon Barreled…
Review: Bell’s Brewery Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition Stout (2018)
Michigan-based Bell’s Brewery claims that their Expedition Stout is one of the earliest examples of a Russian Imperial Stout in the United States. That’s an impressive feather in their cap and speaks to Bell’s role as a craft beer pioneer. Being the first at something is great until everyone else comes along and tries to…
Review: The Glenlivet 12 Years Old First Fill
If you’ve seen this oddball whisky on shelves lately you might be wondering exactly what it is. It’s unique in that it’s the first 12 year old limited-edition release from The Glenlivet to be released in the U.S. It’s called First Fill because it is matured exclusively in first fill American oak casks. Let’s see how…
Review: 2017 Casillero del Diablo Red Blend and Cabernet Sauvignon
Chile’s Concha y Toro has been marketing its Casillero del Diablo — “the devil’s cellar” — for decades. There’s even a little story behind the name. To wit: The story behind Casillero del Diablo dates back to the closing years of the 19th century when, legend has it, Don Melchor de Concha y Toro, an…
Review: Gins and Whiskeys of Treaty Oak Distilling
The self-taught collaborative of Treaty Oak Distilling can be found in Dripping Springs, Texas, where founder Daniel Barnes has been producing gin and whiskey since 2006. The portfolio today includes both sourced and locally distilled spirits, with some of the rye and bourbon coming from some rather unusual suspects. The company produces six (recently repackaged)…