What’s a ‘Wine’? Part III: Why Bother With Wine Tasting?
One of the most recurring comments I get about wine is “what’s the point of wine tasting? Isn’t it all a bit…silly?” Some of these concerns I addressed in my post Wine Tasting: Less Bullshit Than You’d Think, but I thought I’d go one step further…
Bomb’s Away! Combining Flying Monkey’s Chocolate Manifesto and Smashbomb to make the “Chocolate Bomb”
It all began when a guy in line at the LCBO was asked about what he was buying by the customer behind him. In this case it was nearly a dozen Flying Monkeys Chocolate Manifestos. Rather than just answering the question and not stirring any curiosity, he had…
Behind the Beer: Collaborative Craft Brews from Waller St. Brewing
Despite adopting the theme of a prohibition-era speakeasy, Ottawa’s Waller St. Brewing wants absolutely nothing to do with secrecy. Rather than keeping their recipes locked away from prying competitors, Waller St. is intending to publish (at least some of) their recipes to hear back from…
Potent Bourbon Taste From Buffalo Trace
When you think of good bourbon, you think of high prices. Or, if not high, at least pushing the limit you’re comfortable spending as they approach $50. Great bourbon, however, is not mutually exclusive with low prices. The perfect example of this is Buffalo Trace Kentucky…
Welcoming 2015 With 2004 Laurent-Perrier Vintage Champagne
It’s become a personal tradition to celebrate the New Year with a bottle of fine champagne. No, not the “champagne” that costs $11.99 and the liquor store keeps near the registers during the holidays, but rather champagne from the region for which it is named. No matter…
Behind the Beer: Beau’s Brewey CEO Steve Beauchesne on the New B-Side Brewing Label
When I first ordered a B-Side Kissmeyer Nordic Pale Ale a couple of things became readily apparent: it was served in a Beau’s glass, and it was among the best pale ales I’ve ever tasted. With strong herbal and floral notes, fresh invigorating hops and even…
Double the Wood, Double the Good: The Balvenies DoubleWood 12 yr Single Malt
I was on the hunt for a holiday scotch when I stumble across The Balvenie DoubleWood. This 12 year old has garnered something of a reputation after winning Gold for single malts 12 years and under at the International Spirits Challenge this year. Word had it that…
Head to Head: Russian Gun vs Tempest Imperial Stout
Winter means stout season — a season I have grown to love since I cultivated a taste for these fantastic black beers (which you can read about here). Nothing shoos away the winter chill better than a high-alcohol Imperial Stout, so I saw it as…
Sipping With Smoth: Blind Luck at a Blind Whiskey Tasting
What happens when a group of friends find themselves with several bottles of whiskey and nothing to do on a Saturday night? Why, a blind whiskey tasting of course. Last year, by sheer coincidence, my close group of friends noticed we were each simultaneously in…
Quality Rings True: The Rich, Delicious Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon
There are a few wines that hold a special place in my heart for introducing me to the finest of fluids — wines that transcended my beginner palate, and appealed to me before I could even stand the smell of whiskey. Inevitably, not all of…