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…
Sipping With Smoth: Getting Guinness and Understanding Stouts
Approaching a stout can be off-putting for the average lager-swiller. The dark, roasted malt is as unfamiliar to most as a cup of black coffee is to a double-double drinker. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep love and respect for these black beverages, and…
Pappy Van Winkle 23: Tasting the Unicorn
I’ve written about Pappy Van Winkle 23 before. Not about tasting it of course — I mean, realistically I never thought I’d get a chance to. The hype surrounding this [in]famous bourbon is such that mere mortals with laughably puny bank balances are rarely afforded…