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Cocktails & Spirits:

Fermenting & Brewing:

Tequila, whiskey, beer, and wine
  • Let's Celebrate St Patrick's Day With Two Irish Whiskey Cocktails From Glendalough Distillery

    Irish Whiskey has experienced somewhat of a renaissance in recent years and while it is undeniably linked to St Patrick's Day celebrations across America, the reality is that Irish whiskey distillers are working hard to innovate and change the perception of their craft as simply a seasonal libation. We are particularly impressed with the aging process delivered by Glendalough Double Barrel since it takes a classic Irish whiskey but then let's it age in American oak Bourbon barrels and finish in Spanish oak Oloroso Sherry barrels for that ultimate sense of refinement that defines this unique expression of Ireland's treasured spirit.

  • What The Hell Is Cotton Candy Wine?

    As a wine enthusiast keen to explore new expressions, I couldn't resist the intriguing fusion of carnival nostalgia that the concept of Cotton Candy Wine brings to the table. With my background and education in winemaking, I've had the delight of exploring unique vintages around the world and well... this is certainly a unique blend. But a question begs, is it crafted from actual cotton candy or is it merely a clever marketing ploy?

    Surprisingly, I found that (like everything in winemaking), the answer is considerably more complicated than I initially assumed. The simple answer is that many different products are using the same name and while "Cotton Candy Wine" can be made quite literally from cotton candy floss found at the carnival food stands to the Shiava grapes in Italy to the hybrid table grapes found at your local supermarket - the simple truth remains. If something tasty can be distilled or fermented, people will find a way to do it. In situations like this where it makes people happy... they will do it again and again!

  • Celebrating "Dry January" With A De-Alcoholized Wines Pairing From Fre and Gieson 0%

    I'm not a big fan of the idea behind "dry January"... the notion of creating a "time out" implies that overconsumption instead of moderation is ok and while for some this might be the opportunity to put them on the right path again, I'd prefer that people approach the concept of bing drinking in othere more practical ways. Regardless though, this is a great time of year to take a look at non-alcohol wines and how the industry is evolving in terms of packaging, production quality, and technology that allows them to be a palatable alternative to alcoholic wines for folks who, for whatever reason choose not to imbibe.

  • For Black Owned Red Bear Winery Diversity Brings New Influences To Classic Sonoma Wine

    Alexander Valley AVA in Sonoma is one of my favorite regions for Cabernet Sauvignon. This is partially due to my inclination to rebel against the overwhelming snobbery of its big brother next door in Napa - but also due to the fact that for a fraction of the price, you can get phenomenal vintages from more unique, often boutique wineries where the winemakers are approachable and willing to talk about why they love what they do. While Napa has priced out all but the wealthiest winemaking families and is now essentially controlled by historic families, corporations, and celebrities - there's still a sense of innovation at work in Sonoma. This includes the story of father and son team, Wayne and Samuel Jordan who are building Red Bear Winery.

  • Ready For Coquito? Puerto Rico's Hipper, More Fun, and Ready To Party Answer To Eggnog

    I recently heard a saying that great storytellers never finish the tale because they fear they will lose their value if all the secrets are shared. That same thing seems true for good holiday recipes passed down from mother to daughter and father to son. In my wife and I's case, though - neither of us has a Puerto Rican family to rely on and I swear the person who was responsible for getting us hooked on her coquito deliberately omitted an ingredient or a key process. Over the years, Heather has continued to research and experiment in a quest to create if not the PERFECT Puerto Rican Coquito... at least one that is uniquely ours and a holiday tradition that we both enjoy making, drinking, and sharing with others.

  • Golan Heights Winery Is A Name You Should Be Familiar With Beyond Just Jewish Holy Days

    Every Passover and Hanukkah it seems like different Kosher or Isralie wineries appear on our editorial schedule and each year I become more and more impressed with not just the realm of "Kosher Wines" but in the taste and quality of wines from Israel. Plus, if you are a wine conessour like myself where every sip is a way to travel virtually to a new land, a journey to try something new beyond just a tasty beverage - there are few places on Earth with as rich of a vinocultural heritage as the Golan Heights.

  • Sonoma Triple Finish Brings The Best Of California And Kentucky Together

    As a connoisseur of spirits, I'm thrilled to introduce you to the Woodford Reserve's Sonoma Triple Finish, a remarkable fusion of California and Kentucky's finest. This limited-edition bourbon is my latest discovery, one that truly pushes the envelope of fine whiskeys. Its uniqueness lies in the distinct influence of three casks - Pinot Noir wine, brandy, and bourbon.

  • Cantera Negra Tequila Pays Homage To The Rich Volcanic Soil Of Jalisco

    This premium brand is unveiling a collection of delectable cocktails, perfect for celebrating the season. The Cantera Negra portfolio, including Silver, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo, and Café, stands out with no additives (except in the Café) and aging that exceeds the standard for Reposado and Añejo.

  • NOËL Tequila, A Taste Of Jalisco With A Louisiana Twist

    Louisiana isn't the place you normally think of when it comes to unique spirits and especially tequila but the Noël family from Donaldsonville - Ascension Parish (just outside of New Orleans) have whipped up some creative, delicious, and intriguing offerings that show what can be created from a cross-border partnership with a Mexican distillery. In addition to tequila, the distillery is also producing vodka and rum as well as offering tours.

  • Frey Ranch Bourbon From Nevada Brings A Western Backdrop To Classic American Whiskey

    Bourbon's historical home is the wooded hills and hollers of backwoods Kentucky. The cool mountain streams and springs matched with the fertile cornfields and Scots-Irish immigrants looking to do something with their extra corn beyond just another round of cornbread and Johnny Cakes. However, they weren't the only farmers that enjoyed the smooth, slightly sweet tasting corn liquor we know today as bourbon. As settlers expanded westward, they brought whiskey with them and the most ingenious of them brought stills and set up production wherever they landed on the western frontier.

  • Puncher's Chance Bourbon: The Left Cross - A Knockout Limited Edition

    Wolf Spirit distillery based in Eugene, Oregon is quickly becoming one of my favorite spirits producers due to their innovative assortment of fine spirits brands that connect deeply with a sense of heritage, history, and culture that allow them to integrate easily into any man's collection. For me anyhow, there are spirits I have and need to blend different drinks... and then there are ones like Puncher's Chance Bourbon and indeed Bosscal Mezcal (also by Wolf Spirits) that exist to create conversations around and will be featured on the shelf of my bar for people to see, while others will be stored in my liquor cabinet hidden from sight.

  • Have You Ever Wanted Your Own Exclusive Barrel Of Whiskey?

    Barrel Global is a unique barrel ownership service that has revolutionized the bourbon industry. Founded by whiskey expert and entrepreneur George Koutsakis, the company offers consumers the opportunity to have a personal stake in the maturation and bottling process of their own bourbon.
  • A Beginners Guide To Understanding And Appreciating Port

    If you’re a wine and spirits enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of whiskey, rum, tequila, and vodka, but how much do you know about port? This fortified wine from Porto in Portugal's Douro Valley has a long history and unique characteristics, making it a must-try for any spirit connoisseur. 

  • BLACKENED - Whiskey That Rocks

    Musician groups releasing whiskey brands is nothing new but since we're fans of Metalica I figured what the heck, let's check it out. BLACKENED Whiskey is said to be "sonically enhanced"  Let's take a look.

  • Top Places To Go On A Lads Holiday For Beer Lovers

    You might be thinking, "Oh great, another article about places to go on a lads holiday. Yawn." But hold up there, buddy. This isn't just any old travel piece - this is for the beer lovers out there who crave a good pint more than anything else in life. So if you're a hophead with an insatiable thirst for adventure (and plenty of cold brews), then listen up.

  • Mezcal And Tequila Cocktails To Kick Off Summer With A Bang

    Mezcal cocktails are great all year long but due to the spirit's origin in the hot Mexican sun, it probably serves best on warm summer days. As we emerge from a cold and wet spring, it's time to start preparing for those summer cocktails!

  • Bulleit Wiskey and Stone Brewing Celebrate A Beer And A Shot Partnership

    You might not think that there's a science to pairing your shot of whiskey with a beer but there is. It honestly makes sense that you wouldn't want to have whatever the bar manager has picked for their happy hour special and that's why Bulleit Whiskey and Stone Brewing have kicked off a partnership to help educate whiskey - and beer drinkers across the country on the proper pairing.

  • Dos Hombres Espadin Mezcal Cocktail Recipes

    We were recently sent a sample bottle of Dos Hombres new Espadin Mezcal. Mezcal is a less abrasive form of tequila for those not in the know. For people like myself, who aren’t straight tequila fans, it’s a more palatable option with less sugar in the taste and more smoothness to the pull. 

  • This Year Let's Celebrate With Bubbles From Around The World

    To the uninitiated American, there are two places to go to when it comes to grabbing a bottle of sparkling wine for that holiday party... California and Champagne, France. While those are two of our favorite places too, we live in a world today where there are some fantastic bubbly wines found across the globe. Let's take a look at a few of our new favorites.

  • Templeton Rye Stout Cask Finish

    Templeton has a limited-release Stout Cask Finish for their world-famous rye whiskey. It’s a completely different feel for an American whiskey. And I like it.