Friday, October 30, 2009

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon

This is perfect for a Thanksgiving treat! This is the pride and joy of one of the most prominent Bourbon distillers, Austin Nichols. Rare Breed is a blend of 6yr, 8yr and 12 yr old Wild Turkey, and is bottled uncut at barrel proof. The nose is fruity and sweet with aromas mostly of honey, with hints of light oranges, mint, and tones of sweet pipe tobacco. The finish is long, warm and nutty and lingers in the mouth with hints of hot peppers and well-toasted whole wheat bread. The first taste is of oak, followed by the honey, slightly more assertive than the also impressive 12 Year Old, yet possessing of a slightly smoother character than the 101 proof 8 year old bottling. This spirit is best enjoyed slowly, and followed with as fat a cigar following your Thanksgiving meal.
$34.99/750ml

Rating: 9.1 out of 10

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

2007 Caitec Pinot Noir

A great Pinot Noir from a region you wouldn't expect, Patagonia, Argentina. When it comes to Pinot Noir I am usually more likely to choose a French Red Burgundy or something from the Willamette Valley of Oregon, but this one really surprised me. The vineyard is located on the banks of the Neuquen River that stretches throughout Patagonia. The nose exudes aromas of cherry, blueberry and fresh herbs. Flavors of cherry and plum lead into a nice acidity balanced with some tannins. The finish is soft but acidic while the cherry flavors linger for a few moments.
$14/750ml

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Odell's Brewing Company India Barley Wine

At the beginning of October Odell's Brewing Company released their India Barley Wine, the second release in a series of 750ml bombers offerings. This beer is part double IPA and part Barley wine and is both and neither at the same time. This specialty brew is both unique and complex with huge amounts of malts and hops. Don't be turned off by the little green specks floating around as they are chucks of hops leftover from fermentation and help accentuate the huge hoppy aromas. Pours a nice creamy golden color with slight greenish hue to foamy head. Aromas of malts and hops give way to dried fruit. While the palate is both sweet and bitter with strong hoppy flavors with lots of grapefruit and a touch of mango. The finish is well balanced between the bitter flavors of the double IPA and the caramelly sweetness of the barley wine.
$15/750ml

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Friday, October 16, 2009

Glenrothes 8 year old Single Malt Scotch

Established in 1878 in the Speyside region of Scotland, the Glenrothes distillery has been well known for producing superb single malt scotches all over the world. The Glenrothes 8 year old is not a typical distillery release, but has been aged and bottled by an independent bottler, Gordan & MacPhail. This scotch is best served neat and has a fruity nose with hints of of green apples and gooseberries with some malty cereal notes. The palate is sweet with fruity,floral and grassy flavors with hints of dark chocolate, hazelnuts and tobacco. The finish is short and clean with notes salt water and used sherry oak. A pleasant everyday dramming single malt bottled by Gordon & MacPhail one of the most respected independent bottlers of fine scotch whisky. Without Gordon & MacPhail a lot of the great single malt scotches would have been lost forever.
$30/750ml

Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Thursday, October 15, 2009

2006 La Spinetta Ca di Pian Barbera d'Asti

This is one of the best Barberas on the market and it is by one of my favorite Italian producers. From the prestigious area of Piedmont, Italy this wine is 100% Barbera from the Asti region from 20 year old vines. After harvest the wine spends 6 to 7 days in rotofermenters at a controlled temperature then transfer into new and used french oak barrels for 12 months. The color is ruby red with a touch of purple with intense aromas of red cherries, blueberries and cassis. The palate is fresh and fruity with a nice acidity the balances well with tannins. The finish is smooth and acidic with just a touch of dark chocolate showing through. This pairs well with all sorts of appetizers and strong cheeses.
$24/750ml

Rating: 9.1 out of 10

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Avery Brewing Company DuganA IPA

After much anticipation Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, CO has finally released the Dugana IPA after two years of experimentation, many test batches and countless tasting sessions. This beer was created for those who enjoy their Maharajah Imperial IPA but wanted a similar tasting beer that could be drank on a more regular basis. Many craft drinkers believe that the market is currently flooded with quality IPAs, and they are right, however the guys down at Avery say that they are just beer lovers that can't themselves from making new beers. This IPA has loads and loads of flowery hop aromas just leaping out of the glass. After smelling it I expected it to be a crazy hop bomb, but was pleasantly surprised that the palate was very well balanced with touch of that caramel flavor found on most Imperial IPAs. Finishes bitter, dry and incredibly long.
$7/ 22oz. Bomber

Rating: 9.2 out of 10