Margaux du Chateau Margaux 2010: Another Face on My Alcohol Mount Rushmore
I’ve had a few alcohol milestones that I’m pretty proud of. It was a truly unique experience to drop hundreds on a single bottle of Tactical Nuclear Penguin beer. Most recently, I tasted the bourbon unicorn Pappy Van Winkle 23. And just last month, I…
Japanese Beer Culture and Its Neat Nuances
Travelling to Japan exposed me to a wonderful world of refreshing cultural differences. From the food, language and customs to the possibility of adequate public transit (take note, TTC). But there were plenty that seemed familiar too, and that included the Japanese love of drinking, notably…
Nikka Whisky from the Barrel Packs a Kick
I’m an absolute sucker for cask-strength whiskies as anyone who’s followed my blog has probably realized. There’s something about the rich bite of a strong whisky that gets my engines revving. So when I first encountered the demure, petite (at only 500ml) bottle of Nikka…
Date Dining and Wine: Antipasto and a Hike
After “I can’t be bothered to figure out how long,” I decided recently to make my triumphant return to the food and wine writing scene. I almost used the word “blogosphere” un-ironically but no matter how much I pretend being cool doesn’t matter, I couldn’t…
Alcohol-Free April: Raising Awareness for Alcoholism
Hey all, I’m posting this today so you know it’s not an April Fools joke. I’m taking all of April off booze. Not for any personal health reason, or because I’ve stopped enjoying a good drink, but because April is alcoholism awareness month. Alcohol addiction is…
Chivas Regal 12: Giving Blends a Bad Name
Chivas Regal 12 was one of the very first whiskies I ever tried. My mom (a notorious Glenmorangie 10 drinker) received a bottle for a gift, and turned her nose up at it. “Yuck” I’m certain she scoffed snobishly. “Chivas. A blend for heaven’s sake.” Being young enough…
Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon
I remember the first time I tried Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon vividly. It was nearly a decade ago on a ski trip with family friends to Maine. My mom and I were browsing the ill-stocked general store in town for a wine that might be passable…
Shepard Neame Christmas Ale & The Effects of Aging
Whether you’re reading this now, or tuning in from the future, you’ll note I’m reviewing a Christmas beer in February. But this isn’t any old Christmas beer I’m drinking a couple months late — no, this beer was a gift I received Xmas of 2016…
Virginia Black Whiskey: Drake Gimmick or Great Dram?
If you’re like me, you probably can’t WAIT for the next rapper to release their self-branded spirit. Just kidding. You’re probably like most, and don’t care all that much about Jay Z’s “Champagne” or Nikki Minaj’s wine. But what about a bourbon-style whiskey by Drake?…
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon is a Great Winter Wine
When a non-wine drinker recommends me a bottle, I always view it with a bit of skepticism. It’s only natural — they don’t even necessarily know what wine they like let alone what wine I like. So when my buddy recommended me Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon on…