Beverage of the Week (BOW) – Archives

Cedar Ridge is the first licensed distillery in the state of Iowa since Prohibition. Yes, these guys are really making Whiskey in Iowa. (I assume that everyone got that so let's move on.) The Cedar Ridge Malted Rye is made with an undisclosed mashbill that is dominated by malted rye that offers both...
Get More

Pinot Grigio has become a popular choice for a white wine by the glass rivaling Chardonnay in some places. With popularity comes mediocrity and such is the case for Pinot Grigio as much of it is rather dull and boring. Luna Nuda breaks that mold as they create a very pleasing and character-driven Pi...
Get More

This wonderful Pinot Noir has been given the cheeky moniker, "Pinot de Ville.” The grapes are sourced from the Putnam Vineyard. The vineyard is just six miles from the Pacific Ocean in the town of Annapolis, CA. The cool coastal breezes are ideal for creating world-class Pinot Noir. This wine is e...
Get More

Americans are now very familiar with all-malt beers and single malt Whiskies form Scotland. This is a true single malt from Iowa utilizing nothing but the best malted barley and then aged in a selection of oak casks. The aging is carried out using Solera process that introduces a blend of wine and B...
Get More

I've been watching the Clyde May's brand since its introduction some five years (or so) ago. The Whiskey for this latest offering was made in Kentucky and rested for five years in heavily charred oak casks. The visual, the nose, and certainly the palate confirm the heavily charred oak as it adds an...
Get More

It's not often that you find an American Sangiovese that could easily pass as a Tuscan but Troon masters the feat. Instead of creating a big and brooding Cabernet facsimile they let the Sangiovese express its classic understated fruit perfectly interwoven with earth and herbal notes. Like its Tuscan...
Get More

Varela Hermanos is the family owned and run drinks company who created and crafts the delicious Ron Abuelo Rums. The family has been distilling in Panama since 1936 and the incredible stock of mature Rum is the brand's secret weapon. The aged Rums are created by carefully blending two styles of Rum...
Get More

You don't see a lot of Vermentino grown in the US. The grape is native to Italy where it is utilized in wines from Liguria to Sardegna (these can be very special) and locations in between. It is also grown in the South of France with success as you will find more acres of Vermentino in France as com...
Get More

I prefer Hinterland's traditional beers finding them to be true to the classic while showing a definite house-style. Among the traditional styles is their seasonal Oktoberfest. Hinterland’s Oktoberfest is a must-try for lovers of Bavarian lagers. This multilayered beer is complex while approachabl...
Get More

The Rutte Old Simon is named for the distillery's founder, Simon Rutte. This great Genever, the original Gin, is said to be made with one of Simon's old recipes dating back to 1872. Forty percent of the spirit utilized is a rich, all-malt pot-still spirit that gives the Old Simon a beautiful, silky...
Get More

Varela Hermanos is the family owned and run drinks company who created and crafts the delicious Ron Abuelo Rums. The family has been distilling in Panama since 1936 and the incredible stock of mature Rum is the brand's secret weapon. The aged Rums are created by carefully blending two styles of Rum...
Get More

The Tannat grapes are grown in the high bench land above the Appellate River very near the spring snow lines. Tannat is far from a household name but it is an important and very capable grape. Tannat is believed to have originated in the Basque region but it made its mark a bit north in the South We...
Get More

Pure molasses Rum from St. Maarten is blended with bright coconut flavors creating a super and indispensable item in your Tiki bar. We were blown away by the quality being offered at such a modest price and it has inspired some new summer cocktails with a hint of coconut. The two greatest assets of...
Get More

I love having my palate challenged and as this was my first USA-made Malbec and Tannat blend I was ready for the task. From the very first nosing to the last sip I am convinced that these two grapes are made for each other. The fruit profiles and certainly the secondary flavors of these grapes are q...
Get More

The base spirit is primarily made with organic winter wheat with a small portion of Grappa di Barolo. The clear spirit is infused with a complex blend of herbs, botanicals, and spices including licorice, vanilla, bitter orange, ginseng, rhubarb with apricot and peach flower blossoms. It's bottled at...
Get More