Woodford Reserve is a Big, Beautiful Bourbon
If you could somehow transport yourself into a Faulkner novel, walk to the nearest liquor store and buy a bottle of bourbon, it would likely taste just like Labrot & Graham Woodford Reserve Bourbon. It’s the quintessential bourbon: Potent (at 45.2% alcohol), rich (it’s got…
Better Your Beer: 6 Brews to Upgrade Your Style
Some people get stuck in a beer rut: They find a brand that makes an inoffensive style of beer, and they stick to it no matter what. Frankly, it can be a bit daunting to look at a large beer menu, or browse through cases…
Crafting a New Beer Market in Southeast Asia
Consider this post a call to action. Are there brewers out there who don’t mind an adventure, a challenging new market, and endless opportunities? Then stay tuned. There were many beautiful things with which to indulge in Asia: the scenic beauty, the wonderful people, the…
Sipping It Slow and Keeping it Consensual
Alcohol can be a wonderful indulgence. Yet, like any intoxicant, there can be a darker side to imbibing. We all know that overconsumption can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness and other negative physical reactions, but perhaps the even more sinister side of alcohol lies with…
Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc: A World Class White
The snow drifts and ice patches hardly conjure the desire for a crisp glass of white wine, but for those who just can’t wait for summer, the Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is one hell of a bottle. It’s hard to believe it comes from…
Sipping With Smoth: Veuve Clicquot and the Perfect Risotto
The new year has long been an excuse for me to spend too much money on a bottle of champagne, and this year was no exception. The only difference was, I intended to share it with my girlfriend Christine, who had the terrible misfortune of…
Head to Head: Good Scotch, Bad Scotch — The Singleton of Glendullan vs. Cutty Sark
Sometimes it takes a glaringly imbalanced comparison to really provide perspective on what you’re drinking. I was afforded this opportunity when a couple of my buddies busted out their bottles of The Singleton of Glendullan 12 yr. Single Malt Scotch and Cutty Sark Blended Scotch. The Singleton…
Contrived Craft Beer: Rickard’s Oakhouse Winter Lager
Craft beer is incredibly hip right now. Sales of it are biting into the profits of macro domestic giants like Molson-Coors and Budweiser, aggravating some execs. In response, the companies are looking into breaking out of the mould of mass-produced lager and into more interesting…
Cost Conscious Cognac: Baron Otard VSOP
When I began drinking liquor, it was cognac upon which I cut my teeth. Sure, I’d tried scotch (to no real avail), and tippled the occasional rye. But it wasn’t until my tongue alighted on the sweet, rich nectar of this exclusive French brandy that…
What’s a ‘Wine’? Part I: Getting to Know Your Grapes
I started ‘Sipping With Smoth’ in large part to answer many of the questions I was receiving regarding alcoholic beverages, wine in particular. Thus, in the same vein of my earlier post What’s a ‘Whiskey’? I’m going to start an informational series on the intricacies of wine. Approaching wine…