Beverage of the Week (BOW) – Archives

From the very first rising scents from the glass the unmistakable characteristics of wheat Vodka greet the nose. Further exploration reveals much more as the Van Gogh Vodka offers a complex fruit and mineral tapestry as well. The signature Van Gogh Vodka is crafted with wheat from Holland, Germany,...
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Troon Vineyard is always clever and it often signals style along with the varietal. In the USA most wine drinkers know Malbec as an Argentine wine unaware that the grape is of French origin. In my view the best expression of Malbec can be found in the appellation of Cahors in the Southwest of France...
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The unique Slaughter House Whiskey is made from a mash bill of 85% corn, 8% wheat, 6% rye, and 1% malted barley then aged in American oak for nine years before being finished in French oak that previously held a red Bordeaux style wine. It is bottled overproof at 44% abv but it doesn't show a hint o...
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We have been a fan of the Troon Vermentino since first tasting their 2014 vintage. It was clear then, and remains certain, that the climate found in Oregon's Applegate Valley is ideal for growing grapes like Vermentino. Vermentino is native to Italy where it makes fresh and vibrant wines from Liguri...
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This has long been one of my favorite aperitifs and it has one of the best stories in the world of wine of and spirits (that's saying something). The quick version of the story is that a stockbroker enters a bar in Piedmont belonging to Antonio Benedetto Carpano. The brokers mind was still at work a...
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We have a had a few Vermentino wines from Troon but this is their first "orange wine" Vermentino. Orange wines are essentially white wines made like red wines meaning that they fermented with the skins. Typically white wines are made by extracting the juice from the skins and solids. Fermenting the...
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The two Chardonnays to date from Tongue Dancer Wines are certainly siblings sharing many common identifiable traits while demonstrating stark differences. The 2015 Chardonnay was bold with a brash charm while the 2016 Chardonnay is all about finesse and nuance while still delivering decadent aromati...
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This 2016 Nia Pinot Noir is the second vintage that we have seen and as impressed as we were with the 2015, the 2016 Pinot might be even better. Just as exciting is that they have maintained their $9.99 price making this one of the top Pinot Noir values. The grapes are primarily sourced from Califor...
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Rumson's Grand Reserve is the older sibling of their standard Rum (that is far from standard in the glass) being a blend of Rums ranging in age from five to 23 years in age. It's a big and sweet, old Rum that no doubt has massive appeal with spirits drinkers of all backgrounds. If pressed I may have...
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This stylish Gin is made with a blend of three grains (presented in order of quantity) rye, barley, and corn. All of the grains are grown on the estate. All steps from milling, fermenting, distilling, and bottling are done on the Frey Ranch property (just like the Vodka). Two botanicals are also gro...
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This bold and charming red is made with 100% Petite Sirah. The fruit for the French Bar Petite Sirah comes from the family's Rock Creek Vineyard in the eastern foothills of California's Sierra Mountains. The grapes are sustainably farmed are Certified Green in accordance with the "Lodi Rules." The w...
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Another great Don Q Rum and one that is loved by every most every Tiki bartender. It is made with a blend of Rums aged for a minimum of three years while it seems to me that this blend also includes Rums that are much older. I am very pleasantly surprised that this is a tasty and complex Rum that ju...
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The fourth commercial release of the tasty Tongue Dancer Wines Rosé of Pinot Noir is thankfully more plentiful in terms of cases of offered but still quite miniscule so get yours now to avoid regret. This vibrant Rosé is made in the saigné method — a winemaking technique that bleeds off a porti...
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Perhaps the greatest fruit wine that we have ever tasted. You will forget it's a raspberry wine and start wondering what's in this Syrah based blend? This wine is made from a variety called Meeker raspberries, the variety known for its intense flavor and rich bouquet. The fruit is grown at Samson's...
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This is the second vintage we have seen of the Troon Orange Riesling. We thought that the 2016 was a pretty cool wine as is the 2017. However, the 2017 is a good step forward as it presents harmonious flavors of citrus, mineral, and subtle Fino Sherry accents. Orange wines are essentially white wine...
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