BevX Reviews – Different By Design
Below is a quick look at our latest reviews published at BevX September 27, 2023. Click the links to get the score and the full analysis of each beverage. Every Wednesday we release new stories, introduce our latest reviews, and send our subscribers their weekly, free digital newsletter. (Subscribe here.)
We had another busy week at BevX with new, tasty beverage reviews to share.
We have shifted our reviews format in order to offer more reviews for our review hungry readers. The review pages (links below) will now offer a full tasting note with links to a full detail review for our Featured Beverages.
As always you see all of our reviews here:
Beverage of the Week
Troon Vineyard Vermentino Applegate Valley 2022
We have been a fan of the Troon Vermentino since first tasting their 2014 vintage — now they are flirting with perfection. It was clear then, and remains certain now, that the climate and soils in Oregon’s Applegate Valley is ideal for growing grapes like Vermentino. Troon Vineyard’s Vermentino is not styled in the mold of either French or Italian Vermentino, rather…
See the Beverage of the Week feature
Latest Reviews
Wine Reviews
Troon Vineyard Syrah Applegate Valley 2021
See the Full BevX Featured Review
Brilliant, deep ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of dried herbs, black currant, and forest floor with supporting notes of blackberry, earth, black tea, and rosemary. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black plum, bramble, mineral, five spice, and slate. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture. This Syrah is very age worthy so when drinking it young decant it 30 minutes or more before drinking. $30 – 5 Stars/97 points
Troon Vineyard Vermentino Applegate Valley 2022
See the Full BevX Featured Review
Brilliant, light straw color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of spring flowers and lemon curd with supporting notes of bees wax, meringue, wet stones, and kumquat. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of white peach, kiwi, star fruit, and citrus zest. The finish is long and lingering with a complex quince accent. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant yet lush texture. This wine is always a wine of the vintage yet always consistently superb — you won’t find a better Vermentino. $30 – 5 Stars/99 points
Spirits Reviews
Old Elk Cognac Cask Finish Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, bronze to amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of toasted and steeped cereal grains supported by honey, nutmeg, and French Cognac casks. The palate is in agreement with the nose delivering perhaps a richer, and sweeter malt and grain-driven core with waves of caramel, Brandy, and charred oak. Full-bodied with ideal balance and respectable length on the palate as spicy and peppery accents rise on the finish. Made with a mashbill of 51% corn, 34% malted barley, and 15% rye, finished in Cognac casks for 10 months. $109.99 – 4 Stars
Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey
Brilliant, bronze to amber color. The aromatics are very engaging with scents of sweet grains, honey, caramel, and vanilla bean with accents of dried fruits and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, baked fruit-driven core with waves of baking spices, toffee, and vanilla with hints of oak and black pepper. Full-bodied with ideal balance and great length on the palate — its carries its strength with style and grace. $65 – 4.5 Stars
Kentucky Owl Confiscated Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, deep amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of toasted oak, caramel, brown baking spices, and saddle leather with hints of spring flowers and dried herbs. The palate echoes the nose delivering an orchard fruit and toffee-driven core with supporting notes of brown baking spice, graham crackers, cigar box, toasted oak, and toffee. Full-bodied and nicely balanced offering a rich core with very vibrant flavors, which is admirable considering the strength. The Whiskey’s source(s) and mashbill are unknown. $124.99 – 4 Stars
Kentucky Owl Wiseman Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant. deep amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of spicy rye enveloped in caramel fudge, cinnamon, oak, and toasted walnuts with a hint of citrus. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a silky and spicy, rye-driven core with sweet honey and caramel notes foiled by drier oak and black pepper flavors. Full-bodied and ideally balanced as this overproof Rye Whiskey wears it’s strength with finesse. Made with a mashbill of 95% rye. $60 – 4.5 Stars