Review: Nemiroff Vodka
Nemiroff Vodka is distilled from soft winter wheat and filtered water from proprietary artesian wells. The spirit then goes through an 11 stage filtration process at their distillery in the Vinnytsia Region of Central Ukraine, known for its 1000 lakes and clear sparkling water. The history of the distillery dates back to 1872 when the Earl Gregory Stroganoff opened a small distillery in Nemyriv, the center of the country now known as Ukraine. It soon became the largest distillery in the region. In 1992 the distillery was reopened. While they continue to use the expertise and traditions of the past they have invented new technologies and products. In 1997 the unique recipe of Nemiroff Original was created. Read more 
Review: Grander 8 Year Old Panama Rum
Grander 8 Year Old Panama Rum is the result of Dan Dehart, a Louisville native and lifelong bourbon fan search through the Caribbean basin for the best tasting rum. A rum with no coloring, flavoring, or sweeteners added. Dan wanted to find a distillery capable of producing a true cane to glass rum. This search led him to Ingenio San Carlos Distillery in Panama were this, Grander 12 Year Old, and Grander Single Barrel rums are also crafted. Made from sugar cane grown in Herrara Panama, the cane is harvested and transformed into Grade A molasses. The molasses is fermented with a proprietary locally grown yeast. Distillation follows with a 1922 American Copper and Brass Works copper still. The rum is aged for eight years in previously used bourbon barrels. Panama’s climate provides an intense environment for the rum and barrels to interact. After blending, the rum is filtered through cellulose plates and than chill filtered and bottled at 90 proof. Grander is named for the 1000 pound marlins, anglers dream of catching off the coast of Florida. Read more
Review: The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey
The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey is crafted at the Bushmills Distillery in Ireland. This is the worlds oldest whiskey distillery. It is made from 100% Irish malted barley and is triple distilled in copper pot stills. The spirit is aged for 4 years in a variety of first, second, and third use Oloroso Sherry casks. The whiskeys are then blended by Master Blender Alex Thomas, one of Irelands few female blenders, and filled in the six sided squat black bottled pictured here. The Sexton is imported by Proximo Spirits, the company behind over a dozen brands including Jose Cuevo, 1800, Bushmills, Three Olives, The Kraken Rum, Hangar 1, and Boodles Gin. Read more
Review: Baileys Strawberries and Cream
Baileys Strawberries and Cream is a seasonal Limited Edison liqueur that will be available February-April or until supply lasts. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a bottle a little early. This is their second seasonal flavor following Baileys Pumpkin Spice. While no ingredients are listed on the bottle, Baileys Original Irish Cream is made with aged Irish whiskey, grain spirits, fresh dairy cream, and a unique chocolate blend. This bottle reads Baileys Strawberries and Cream is infused with a delightful ripe strawberry flavor and the taste of delicious vanilla. Read more
Review: Six Degree Blanco Tequila
Six Degree Blanco Tequila is named for the 6 degrees that connect all of us together. It is crafted from 100% blue agave harvested in the Highlands surrounding the city of Tequila. The pinas are steamed and roast in clay ovens through various times and temperatures to create the multiple tones that tantalize the taste buds. The spirit is triple distilled through a gravity fed distillation process without the use of pumps or motors. The tequila finishes through a custom filter, and then rests for 2 months in stainless steel before bottling in a very attractive vessel. Read more
Review: Doorlys 5 Year Old Rum
Doorlys 5 Year Old Rum is a blend of pot and column still rums blended before and after ageing in previously used bourbon barrels. Doorlys is named for Martin Doorly who founded the company. Each barrel is aged a minimum 5 years. Doorlys is one of several rums produced at the Foursquare Distillery. Others include Foursquare Spiced Rum, RL Seale, and the Real McCoy brands. Doorlys has been made on the island of Barbados since 1908, and was the first rum ever to be exported from the island. Read more
Review: Jameson Original Irish Whiskey
Jameson Original Irish Whiskey is more commonly known as Jameson Irish Whiskey, but with 10 different varieties of Jameson currently produced, and more on the way, Jameson Original is now the official branding. This is the first of ten Irish Whiskey reviews I have scheduled for the next 9 weeks. With St. Patrick’s Day only 9 weeks away look for one every Monday until March 17th. Jameson currently has about 80% of the US Irish Whiskey market, so it was easy deciding who to start with. The 1780 on the bottle of Jameson refers to the year Bow Street Distillery in Dublin Ireland was built. In 1786 John Jameson, married Margaret Haig a cousin of the distilleries owner and he moved from Scotland to manage the distillery. In 1810 he took over ownership of the distillery. To say Irish Whiskey has been on a roller coaster ride of popularity is an understatement. At its peak near the end of the 19th century Irish Whiskey controlled 70% of the world wide whiskey market and there where 88 licensed distilleries selling 12 million cases a year. By the 1980’s that figure had been reduced to 200,000 cases with only four distilleries remaining open. Most of the blame for this goes to two events, The Irish War for Independence which started in 1919, and denied Irish Distillers access to export markets, and US Prohibition which ran from 1920-1933. Today Irish Whiskey is the worlds fastest growing spirit. There are now 18 operating distilleries with 16 more announced. Jameson Original Irish Whiskey is made from three ingredients, barley both malted and unmalted and grown within 100 miles of the distillery, non GMO maize grown in the South of France, and water sourced from the Dungourney River. Jameson is a blend of pot still and fine grain whiskeys. Both are triple distilled and aged for a minimum four years in previously used bourbon barrels and Spanish Sherry casks. Since the Midelton Distillery crafts both of these spirits, they control the production process from grain to glass. Master Blender Billy Leighton artfully blends the whiskeys before bottling at 80 proof. Read more
Review: Chalfonte VSOP Grande Fine Cognac
Chalfonte VSOP Grande Fine Cognac is made from white grapes grown in the Grande Champagne cru. The Grande Champagne terroir is characterized by a maritime climate and chalky soils over limestone and sandstone. Chalfonte is distilled, aged and blended in limited quantity in the heart of the Cognac region. While Chalfonte VSOP Grande Fine Cognac may not be a household name, it was the highest scoring cognac reviewed by The Beverage Testing Institute in 2017. Read more
Review: Hanson of Sonoma Organic Cucumber Vodka
Hanson of Sonoma Organic Cucumber Vodka is one of six vodka varieties crafted by the Hanson Family in Sonoma California. The others include Mandarin, Ginger, Boysenberry, Espresso, and their Original unflavored. The vodka base is made from organic Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and French Colombard grapes and pure artesian well water. The spirit is seven times small batch distilled in a pot still and a column still with 50 distillation plates. A proprietary seven stage filtration follows. The vodka base is then infused with organic cucumber before hand bottling at 80 proof. Read more
Review: Bumbu Rum
Bumbu Rum is made at the historic West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados. The distillery was founded in 1893 by two German Brothers and was recently acquired by Maison Ferrand. Yes this is the rum Lil Wayne shouts out in two of his newest songs featured on his Dedication 6 release. Those tracks are Fly Away and New Freezer. Bumbu Rum is based on the original recipe created by 16th and 17th century sailors of the West Indies. This spice grog was called Bumbu. They made their version by blending navy strength rum with native fruits and herbs of the Caribbean. In making the current Bumbu Rum a little more care is given in crafting the rum base. The Master Distillers select sugarcane from eight countries including Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guyana, and Honduras. The terroir of each countries sugarcane contributes unique flavor characteristics. The spirit is fermented with a yeast strain that dates back to 1840. Bumba is distilled using two continuous stills and aged up to 15 years in Grade A once used bourbon barrels. Spices, fruits, and herbs, all 100% natural ingredients are added to the rum after aging and prior to bottling at 70 proof. Read more