Review: Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye (2017)
In 2015, I reviewed Crown Royal Northern Rye. I thought it was OK. I graded it a B. Later that year Jim Murray named it his whisky of the year, and all hell broke loose. A $30 Canadian whisky is the best whisky of the year? Sales went through the roof. The price shot up.…
Review: Hochstadter’s Family Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey 16 Years Old
Your best bet for old rye whiskey these days seems to be good old Albert Distillers Limited, which has been pumping the stuff out for decades. Cooper Spirits bottled up some of this under its Hochstadter’s line (known for its Slow & Low and Vatted Rye bottlings) and calls it Hochstadter’s Family Reserve. Imbued with…
Review: 2 Greek Wines from Cava Spiliadis – Tselepos Santorini and Gerovassiliou Malagousia
The estates of Cava Spiliadis are the home of both of these Greek wines — Tselepos and Gerovassiliou — both of which serve as excellent introductions to the essential white wine styles of Greece. Thoughts follow on these highly approachable wines. 2015 Canava Chrissou Tselepos Santorini Assyrtiko – Fresh aromatics and a touch of honey give this white…
Review: Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2016
Limestone Branch Distillery, based in Lebanon, Kentucky, is one of those craft distillers that is making whiskey (and moonshine) while also marketing sourced spirits, at least for the time being. Yellowstone is the company’s sourced brand, and in addition to some regular bottlings, it produces an annually released bourbon, which differs from year to year.…
Review: Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila – The Rolling Stones Tour Pick
Jose Cuervo continues its historically-based promotion of The Rolling Stones with a second bottling that should be considerably more attainable. This silver tequila — really just Cuervo Especial — isn’t anything fancy (it’s a mixto and not even 100% blue agave), but it does say Rolling Stones on the label, so collectors may find it…
Review: Glen Moray Elgin Classic, 12 Years Old, 15 Years Old, and 18 Years Old
Speyside’s Glen Moray bills itself as offering “affordable luxury,” marketing a range of single malt whiskeys in a variety of styles. The new Elgin Heritage Range comprises three malts — and they all have age statements, clocking in at 12, 15, and 18 years old. Today we look at all three of these, plus one…
Review: Stone Jindia Pale Ale
Look closely at the bottle of Stone’s latest release: There’s an extra “J” in front of the India, making this a Jindia Pale Ale. What’s a Jindia Pale Ale? It’s a Double IPA infused with juniper, ginger & lemon peel. It’s a kooky spin in IPA. Instead of citrus and piney notes, the beer is instantly…
Review: Lost Spirits Distillery Abomination “The Crying of the Puma”
Recently we gave you an accounting of a strange little whiskey called Abomination, in which newly-Los Angeles-based Lost Spirits Distillery takes Islay white dog, puts it through its patented reactor, and a week later comes out with a heavily-peated, rapidly-aged “Scotch” unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. You may not recall that Abomination was being released…
