Review: Smirnoff Ice Margarita
Too lazy to construct a proper margarita after a long day at the office? You’re not alone, which is why so many folks can barely get the cap off a bottle of beer before their butt hits the couch. The latest flavor in the long-running Smirnoff Ice line is a natural: Margarita, helpfully subtitled “refreshing…
Review: Charbay Double Aged Rum (2018)
Back in 2005, Charbay launched its first rum, 100% copper pot distilled from Hawaiian and Jamaican sugar cane syrup. Now, in 2018, that rum is back on the market, with the same formula and again at a scorching cask strength — though today it’s at 137 proof vs. the original’s 136.8. The rum is aged…
Review: Wines of Lucas & Lewellen, 2018 Releases
Santa Barbara-based Lucas & Lewellen isn’t a household name in the wine world, but that could change: This operation is turning out approachable wines at even more approachable prices, three of which we recently had the opportunity to taste. Let’s dive in! 2017 Lucas & Lewellen Sauvignon Blanc – Crisp and grassy, the wine showcases…
Review: Distillery 291 Single Barrel Colorado Rye and Single Barrel Colorado Bourbon
Despite being best known for its craft breweries, Colorado has seen plenty of distilleries open across the state, many of which, unsurprisingly, make at least one whiskey. Distillery 291, which began distilling in 2011, makes whiskey almost exclusively (its Citrus Clove Liqueur is the exception). Its seven distinctive whiskeys adhere to the founding vision of…
Welcome to Drinkhacker 2018
It’s our sincere hope that you’ve already noticed: Over the last few weeks we’ve been radically revamping and redesigning Drinkhacker, a move that was probably long overdue. Foremost, you’ll note that the monolithic design — big pictures followed by long stretches of text, rinse and repeat — is now gone, replaced by a more streamlined…
Review: Navazos-Palazzi Bota Punta Spanish Malt Whisky and Overseas Malt Whisky
It may surprise you to know that a handful of Spanish distilleries have been making whisky since the 1960s. Not much of that whisky makes it to our side of the pond, but some of it is available from Navazos-Palazzi, a joint venture between merchant bottler Nicolas Palazzi and the famed sherry brand Equipo Navazos.…
Review: Wines of the Locations Series, 2018
We’ve covered Dave Phinney’s Locations Series wines (the brand was acquired by Gallo earlier today) a couple of times, but if you missed those reviews, the concept is simple: Phinney sources wine from, well, everywhere (including Texas), blends them, and releases them as nonvintage wines, intended to express the (very) general terroir of an entire region,…
Review: Flaviar Frerot XO Cognac Assemblage de Crus
Online retailer Flaviar is no stranger to bespoke spirits, having released (among others) its own heavily peated Scotch previously. Next up is Cognac, a blended spirit called Frerot. Launching this Spring, Frérot XO Cognac Assemblage de Crus gives rise to a new order in the world of fine spirits –a Cognac created by the people.…
