Review: Sobieski Estate Single Rye Vodka
Polish, mid-shelf vodka brand Sobieski moves up shelf this month with the launch of an extension to the line: Sobieski Estate Single Rye Vodka, made from “100% Dankowski rye locally grown in Poland which is hand filled and hand crowned by distillers.” The new vodka arrives in California now, with a national rollout coming in…
Recipe: Thanksgiving Cocktails, 2015
Once again, the Thanksgiving holiday is here, and with it comes the assurance of a few things: the food will be good, the Lions will lose, and the drinks will be poured at a healthy and brisk pace. Here are a few recipes that we’ve received that we will be no doubt pouring in between…
Review: Arkansas Black Applejack 21 Years Old
Earlier this year we brought you coverage of Arkansas Black Applejack, an artisan apple brandy that happens to be made in my own adopted community in Marin County, California. Now the husband and wife duo have put out a monster of an upgrade: Arkansas Black 21 Years Old. Now Arkansas Black is a youngish operation,…
Review: 2013 Hahn SLH Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Looking for big quality in American wine at a really attractive price? Check out Hahn’s SLH sub-label, a pair of wines sourced from estate grapes in the Santa Lucia Highlands. These both represent a bit of a premium over the standard Hahn bottlings, but as you’ll see, they’re worth it. 2013 Hahn SLH Pinot Noir…
Review: Tequila Herradura Ultra Anejo (2015)
Clear, filtered anejo tequila is still the big thing in the agave category, and next up in the queue is Herradura, which takes tequila that has spent over 4 years in oak barrels and filters it back to blanco (in color, anyway). The results are curious and a departure from other tequilas made in this…
Review: BiVi Sicilian Vodka
Ah, Sicily: Renowned for its Italian food, mafia culture, and, of course, vodka. Wait, vodka? BiVi is made from Sicilian semolina wheat and bottled with local water and promoted by Sicilian actor Chazz Palminteri, so if you’re looking for a spirit that’s more Sicilian, you won’t likely find it. Still, it’s vodka, not grappa, so…
Review: Sonoma County Distilling Sonoma Rye Whiskey and Cherrywood Rye Whiskey (2015)
Remember 1512 Spirits? This tiny Rohnert Park, California operation has grown by leaps and bounds — and recently changed its name to Sonoma County Distilling Company. SCDC is pumping out products, mostly young whiskeys, including bourbon, wheat whiskey, and at least two ryes, both of which we’re reviewing today. Let’s take a look at what…
Review: Samuel Adams Late 2015 Seasonals – Octoberfest, Hoppy Red, Rebel Grapefruit IPA, Winter Lager, and Pumpkin Batch
Nearly a half-dozen new offerings from Sam Adams, mostly winter/fall seasonals designed to make the most of the cold weather. Let’s bundle up and dig in! Samuel Adams Octoberfest (2015) – Very old world, with plenty of spice and some citrus to be a companion to loads of caramel-soaked malt. The finish is on the sweet…
