Awhile back, we received an intriguing wooden crate from Vietnam. One that was nailed shut, required a crow bar to open and, much to our delight, contained six liqueurs that were heretofore unknown to us. Turns out, Son Tinh is…
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Old Pulteney produces a range of single malt scotch whiskies, from the introductory 12 Year to the just-released 35 Year. And occasionally, the brand puts out limited edition offerings, like this bottle of Old Pulteney Navigator that hit the market…
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At the beginning of this series, I mentioned receiving a bottle of Hakushu 12 from Cocktail Enthusiast two years ago. Below is the review I wrote. I think it deserves to be revisited, not only because I have revisited the spirit myself, but also to reflect on the context of the time it was written… read more →
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The newest gin to cross our desk is called Brockmans, and it’s billed as an “intensely smooth, premium gin” that’s made with a unique blend of botanicals. Now, if “intensely smooth” sounds confusing and somewhat contradictory, well, we agree. But…
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This is part two of our ongoing series on Japanese Whisky. To get started, see part one. Suntory. The one that started it all. The beverage company, not the man (we’ll get to him next week.) Suntory’s saga begins in…
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Author Mack McConnell is a Paris-based contributing writer for Cocktail Enthusiast. He also runs a Whiskey of the Month Club. In addition to its lineup of fine whiskies — Glenmorangie Signet included — The Glenmorangie Distillery’s real contribution to the…
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When Cocktail Enthusiast sent me a bottle of Hakushu 12, a Japanese whisky produced by beverage giant Suntory, back in 2012, my attention was captured. Two years and many drams later, my interest has grown into an obsession, all too…
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Real Gusto is a recently-launched tequila that’s producing three expressions — blanco, reposado and anejo. Though it’s new to the United States market, the origins of Real Gusto date back to 1948. It’s produced in Amacueca, Jalisco, where the entire…
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The Balvenie 15 Year Old Single Barrel Sherry Cask is a newly-released addition to The Balvenie portfolio. It will replace the traditional oak-matured 15 Year Old Single Barrel — a fine dram, to be sure, but nothing quite as interesting…
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Today we got a heads up from our local bottle shop about Jim Beam Kentucky Fire. We’d heard rumblings of this release in the past, but nothing since, and a quick Internet search found zero official announcement from Jim Beam….
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Last week, Captain Morgan announced a limited-time addition to its rum portfolio: 1671 Commemorative Blend Spiced Rum, which is finished with Spanish oak. The new offering pays tribute to Captain Henry Morgan and his 1671 raid of Panama City, in…
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Blue Nectar Tequila is the latest agave spirit to cross our desk and a relative newcomer to the market. It launched near the end of 2011 in the tequila hotbed that is… Michigan, and since then it’s expanded to a…
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It’s easy to get your daily dose of vegetables when you’re drinking them a few ounces at a time. And it’s even easier if you’re fortifying them with a hearty dash of booze. Bartenders know this, so they’re taking advantage…
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This past weekend we expended much time and energy in the Manhattan Cocktail Classic tasting rooms. It was filled with some familiar faces and plenty of new ones, as we moved from table to table to sample the goods. There…
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Phraya Rum hails from Thailand, which probably isn’t the first place you think of when it comes to rum. But with its tropical climate and favorable growing conditions, Southeast Asia is rich in sugarcane. Rum is most abundantly consumed in…
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Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila is a new offering from the spirits maker, and one that’s billing itself as “whiskey-like.” That’s because the 18-month-aged 100% agave tequila undergoes a maturation process that utilizes heavily toasted oak barrels to impart the caramelized…
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Citadelle Gin comes from the House of Cognac Ferrand, one of those more innovative distilleries and the makers of Pierre Ferrand Cognac, Plantation Rum, Citadelle Gin and a handful of other spirits. Proprietor Alexandre Gabriel has been experimenting with aged…
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In 2000, Russian River Brewing released their future flagship beer, Pliny the Elder. A delicious and drinkable double IPA, Pliny has the presence of a session beer, but packs the 8% ABV expected in this style. It is in high…
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The Husky Vodka bottle is embossed with a paw print, and the label states “distilled and bottle in Siberia.” That’s a quick way to garner attention, and it worked on us. Because while we’ve had plenty of Russian vodkas, we’ve…
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You can always count on Anchor Distilling to keep you inundated with a fresh supply of Asian whiskies. So after rolling out a handful of Nikka Whiskies from Japan, Anchor has set its sights on Taiwan. Founded in just 2005,…
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