Review: Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Winter Lager (2014), Cold Snap (2015), and White Christmas
The Boston Beer Company produces over 100 varieties of beer, but the biggest of them all is Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Oddly, we’ve never reviewed it, but today we’re taking that opportunity, along with a look at three winter/spring seasonals now on the market. Thoughts follow. Samuel Adams Boston Lager – The original (though surely…
Review: Jim Beam Bonded Bourbon
Here’s a new release that really came out of the blue. Bonded whiskey was a big deal before Prohibition — when heavy tampering with spirits was a major problem — but it is rarely seen these days because of the cost involved and, surely, limited demand. (Rittenhouse 100 is one good example that’s still around.)…
Review: 2013 Jackson Estate “Stich” Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Jackson’s New Zealand-born Sauvignon Blanc, named in recognition of John Stichbury, the founder of Jackson Estate, is a restrained expression of how this grape typically fares down south. Loaded with peach and pineapple notes, it manages to keep the sweetness at bay by offering some nice herbal notes, a bit of baking spice, and a…
Review: The Exclusive Malts Batch #6 – Ledaig 1997, Speyside Port Matured 2004
New indie Scotch bottlings are hitting now from The Exclusive Malts, we got two to try. Thoughts follow. The Exclusive Malts Ledaig 1997 17 Years Old – Batch #5 featured a youthful 8 year old Ledaig (which is made at Tobermory on the Isle of Mull). This one’s over twice as old. Surprisingly pale for a…
Book Review: Proof: The Science of Booze
Wired editor Adam Rogers is an acquaintance and a colleague (he was my wingman at the HP50 tasting a few weeks back), so it’s not totally fair for me to rave about his new book, Proof: The Science of Booze. I will anyway. If, like myself, you’re as interested in the chemistry and biology of beer, wine,…
Review: Boathouse Distillery Colorado Bourbon Whiskey
Boathouse Distillery is based in Salida, Colorado, from which Colorado Bourbon hails. The back label copy of this whiskey alone is worth the price of admission: “Colorado Bourbon is especially formulated for Western women and men. We like adventure and the great outdoors.” And that’s it! Colorado Bourbon is sourced whiskey from whereabouts unknown, aged four…
Review: Oban Little Bay and Oban 14 Years Old
Next up in the NASverse is Oban, which is releasing its mew Little Bay expression just in time for Burns Day (January 25). This isn’t just another random collection of mysterious whiskies. Much like Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Little Bay is aged in part in smaller casks, giving it a distinct character. Says the company: “Crafted by…
Recipe: National Irish Coffee Day 2015
This Sunday (Jan 25) welcomes in a newly decreed holiday that we can get behind: National Irish Coffee Day. According to folklore, Irish coffee was invented by Chef Joseph Sheridan in 1942 to welcome visiting Americans. With it being quite the brisk night in Ireland, Sheridan added whiskey to their coffee and voila! The Irish take this…
