Review: El Mayor Tequila Extra Anejo – Bourbon Barrel Aged
Each year we have the treat of seeing a special edition from the tequila pros at El Mayor. This year is no exception, and it’s even more special since the company is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the company has dropped another Extra Anejo bottling, aged for 39 months in surprisingly traditional…
Review: Dyfi Gin Pollination Edition
First surprise: “Dyfi,” which hails from Wales, is pronounced “Dovey.” And let me be the first to say, good luck calling for it in your martini at the bar! Made in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the gin incorporates classic gin botanicals along with hand-foraged Welsh botanicals, including “wild flowers, aromatic leaves, fruits, and conifer…
Review: Flor de Cana Rum – 12, 18, and 25 Years Old (2023)
Seven years ago, I wrote a review of four rums from Nicaragua’s Flor de Cana, referring to the 7, 12, 18, and 25 expressions with “years old” attached. That was laziness on my part: Flor de Cana has long used only vague numbers attached to terms like “slow aged” rather than providing a real age…
Review: Rampur Vintage Select Indian Single Malt (2022 Limited Edition)
We first reviewed Rampur Select when it was new to U.S. shores in 2019, a few years after its 2016 introduction in its home country of India. After tons of awards and fandom, the single malt — made from 100% Indian barley and aged exclusively in first fill bourbon barrels — was “reintroduced” as a…
Review: Gentleman’s Cut Bourbon
If I said this whiskey was made in Kentucky by one Wardell Stephen Curry, you probably wouldn’t bat an eye. Some old timer, amirite? But if I clarified that that’s the full name of Golden State Warriors MVP Steph Curry, well, maybe you’d perk up a bit. Gentleman’s Cut is another in a long line…
Review: Fever-Tree Distillers Cola
Crafted from kola nut, pimento berries, key limes, Sicilian lemon, and “vainilla fresca” (not clear how that’s different from vanilla), Fever-Tree’s spin on a classic cola recipe doesn’t really rock the boat of expectations, using cane sugar to gently sweeten its iconic mixer. The flavor here lands somewhere between Pepsi and Coke, with ample vanilla…
Review: Appleton Estate Rum Hearts Collection 1993 and 2002
Appleton has been cranking out luxe special editions for the last few years, but none are more prized than its Hearts Collection, which comprises single-vintage pot still rums of exceptional age. The Hearts Collection began three years ago and soon comprised vintages from 1994, 1995, 1999, 1984, and 2003 — though we didn’t get a…
Drinkhacker’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide – Best Alcohol/Spirits for Christmas
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some festivities in the form of holiday revelry. Naturally, the holidays mean gift-giving time is nigh, and you’re going to want recommendations for what to wrap up and stash under the tree. As always, this year we want your gift-giving to make a statement, but we…
