Review: Oban 18 Years Old
Oban is a Highlands-based distillery — “West Highlands,” as the label notes — that doesn’t get nearly the chatter of other, more name-droppable single malt brands. That’s a shame, too, because while Oban isn’t a whisky that ever really results in transcendent experiences, it’s almost always worthwhile and memorable — and, in general, not too…
Book Review: Adventures with Old Vines
Richard L. Chilton, Jr.’s book Adventures with Old Vines, is, in no uncertain terms, a book of vintage charts. “Vineyard Profiles,” rather, as the book puts it. From page 53 to 269 (the end of the book), Chilton — who owns and operates Napa’s Hourglass Winery — runs through a collection of wine producers, painting a portrait…
Review: Booker’s Bourbon “Kentucky Chew” 2018-03
“Kentucky Chew” is the third special release of Booker’s Bourbon for 2018. This Jim Beam classic has seen a real renaissance of late, and with 2018-03, it’s showing no signs of letting up. Those who knew founding distiller Booker Noe, know that his larger than life personality – and his affinity for making robust, delicious…
Review: New Holland Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout and Banana Coconut Stout
Michigan’s New Holland Brewing went on a bit of a tear in 2018 — bottling three seasonal editions, four sours, five limited batches, and three special reserves to complement the six core offerings it has widely available. The last of the three special reserves available this year is a variation on the widely available Dragon’s…
Review: Bom Bom Nilli Vanilli and Fully Baked Cream Liqueurs
Irish Cream isn’t the only way to have a boozy-creamy tipple after dinner. Bom Bom is a new brand (founded in 2016) that offers dessert-like cream flavors in a relatively low-alcohol product, but does it without any dairy products at all. All use unspecified Caribbean rum as the base spirit. Bom Bom is available in…
Review: WhistlePig “The Boss Hog V: The Spirit of Mauve” Rye Whiskey 13 Years Old 2018
Fall’s arrival means a new, insanely-priced special edition of WhistlePig rye (only 2016 has been skipped in the last six years). This one breaks new ground by honoring a departed pig — the titular “boss hog” — with a finishing idyll in apple brandy barrels. Some details: Now arriving is The Boss Hog V: The…
Review: Bully Boy Distillers Gin (2018)
Boston-based Bully Boy Distillers already makes an Estate Gin, so don’t get confused by this non-estate rendition, which is a completely different product. While most gins are typically crafted with a neutral grain base, Bully Boy draws inspiration for its Gin from its acclaimed White Rum by using a cane base. This provides the spirit…
Review: Firestone Walker Sucaba Barley Wine Ale (2018)
The explosion in barrel-aged beers has led to a growing trend in the cellar aging of these brews. High in alcohol content with boozy barrel notes, barrel-aged beers are widely believed to improve, like many wines, with a year or more in the bottle. California’s Firestone Walker Brewery has an impressive stock of barrel-aged beers…