Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

I had been staring at this beer in my refrigerator all weekend, then I finally got a chance to open last night and it was well worth the wait. The brewers at the Stone Brewing Company, located in Escondido, CA, pride themselves on being able to consistently produce such fine works of art like this truly self-righteous ale. This beer was first produced in 2007 as their annual anniversary edition release and was such a huge hit they had to make more. When you poor it into the glass the color is black as pitch with nose that similar to most imperial IPAs with notes of grapefruit that dissipate to hints of red fruits. The palate was bitter, but a balanced bitterness that comes from both the hops and malts, with hints of cranberries in the beginning and finishes long and dry. ABV 8.7%.
$7/22oz. Bomber

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Glenmorangie Original Single Malt Scotch

This whisky has been called ‘the perfect ten’ and most Glenmorangie drinkers will readily drink to that! After 10 years in ex-Bourbon casks, the Glenmorangie spirit has had enough time to mature and mellow into a beautifully balanced yet marvellously complex malt whisky. Located in the far north of Scotland the Glenmorangie Distillery was established in 1843 and still to this day perfected by the Sixteen Men of Tain. The intriguing pale golden color leads to light and delicate floral aromas with traces of citrus and vanilla. The palate is well balanced with notes of honeyed nuts that shine through to a short clean finish that leaves delicious juices on your tongue.
$45/750ml

Rating: 9.3 out of 10

2006 Tikal Patriota Bonarda Malbec

I just tried this today and thought it was fantastic, a very unique blend that offers great complexity and flavors. The Medoza region is somewhat pf an oasis, where vineyards produce some of Argentina's finest grapes which are hand selected by Laura Catena of the famous Catena Winery, also located in Mendoza. Bonarda is the second most widely planted grape in Argentina and when blended with the fuller-bodied Malbec you are in for quite a treat. This blend of 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec offers aromas of bright cherry and red fruit with dark purple color. It is like swallowing a whole bowl of mixed ripe berries at once. Big body yet very balanced, with luscious layers of raspberry, cherry, and cocoa flavors. Just a hint of baking spice at the end brings it all together.
$25/750ml

Rating 9.2 out of 10

2007 Gritos Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon

The more I try Argentinian wines the more I am impressed with the complexity and flavors these wines offer. The Gritos Malbec/Cab Sauv is from the Mendoza region of Argentina which is approximately 600 miles west of the of the capital city of Buenos Aires and has become the epicenter of winemaking in Argentina. The Gritos is medium-bodied, intensely ruby red wine offering lovely dark berry aromas and a palate focused on red fruit, plums and figs with a hint of dark chocolate. The sweet and persistent tannins are complimented by aging in French oak barrels which adds a hint of vanilla that leads into a long well balanced finish that shows notes of chocolate and vanilla. This wine is particularly good with grilled meats, poultry dishes and pasta with heavy meat sauces. Enjoy now through 2015.
$15/750ml

Rating: 9.1 out of 10

The Balvenie Doublewood 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch

Every time I drink this I remember why I love single malt scotch. The Balvenie Distillery lies at the heart of the great scotch producing region of Speyside, located in the Scottish Highlands. Nowhere else while you find a distillery that grows its own barley, still malts in its own traditional floor maltings and still employs a team of coopers to tend to the stills and a coppersmith to maintain the stills. The Balvenie Doublewood 12-year-old gains distinctive character from being matured in two oaks. Over the maturation period the whisky is transferred from a traditional oak whisky cask to a first fill European oak sherry cask. The traditional casks soften and add character to the whisky, while the sherry wood brings depth and a fullness of flavor.
$45/750ml

Rating: 9.3 out of 10

Odell's Brewing Company Woodcut No. 1

I can't believe we have some of last years Woodcut left. This was the first release of Odell's barrel-aging series, released August 2008 this oak aged ale already has a year in bottle making closer to its ready to drink time. Cut from new American oak Odell's Woodcut No. 1 was aged in barrels with a medium toast. The wood imparts flavors of vanilla, almonds, and dried fruits, complementing the caramel malt sweetness. Each Woodcut offering is a truly limited-edition beer with unique flavors that comes from hand selecting special hops, fine malted barley and the brewer's personality. Each bottle is numbered and signed. get it while it lasts!
$24/750ml

9.7 out of 10

Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum

Bacardi Rums have added Dragon Berry to it's range of flavored rum. The rum combines the taste of tropical dragon fruit with strawberry flavor. Dragon fruit is a beautiful fruit grown in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central and South America, and Israel. It is actually the fruit of a type of cactus, and the fruit comes in 3 colors: 2 have pink skin, but with different colored flesh (one white, the other red), while another type is yellow with white flesh. Dragon fruit is low in calories and offers numerous nutrients, including Vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, plus fiber and antioxidants. This flavored rum has intense fruity aromas resembling Hawaiian Punch, the palate is warm and sweet then smacks you in the face with the taste dragon fruit and strawberry. I don't usually go for flavored rums, but this would be a nice one to keep around to make some summer cocktails.
$14/750ml

Rating: 8.8 out of 10