Review: Idol Vodka
Idol Vodka is produced by Boisset La Famille des Grands Vins, the third largest wine group in France. Idol is made with hand picked sustainably farmed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from the Burgundy region of France. The grapes are slow distilled 7 times with the pristine waters of the Cote d Or, and then filtered 5 times. Read more 
Review: Merrys White Chocolate Irish Cream
Merrys White Chocolate Irish Cream is one of five flavors Robert A Merry and CO. introduced in the summer of 2015. The other flavors include Strawberry, Salted Caramel, Toffee Buttermint, and Pumpkin Spice. These five flavors replace a full line of flavored Irish creams Merrys had previously produced. White Chocolate was part of the previous line. I don’t know if the new White Chocolate is made with the same recipe, or if the bottle was just changed. The 2014 World Spirits Gold Medal Merrys has pictured on the new bottles label tells me this is the same formula. Merrys White Chocolate is made with cream delivered from a creamery within 12 hours of leaving the farms gate, the finest aged Irish whiskey, grain spirits, and natural flavors. Read more
Review: Arrogante Blanco Tequila
Arrogante Blanco Tequila is made with 100% Blue agave, grown for 8-12 years in the Highland region. Once harvested the pinas are slow baked for 36 hours in stone ovens at moderate heat with continuous circulating steam that softens the fibers and gently cooks the juices. Once cooled the pinas are shredded and only the agave juice from the first pressing is collected and fermented in stainless steel vats for 10 days, with two strains of natural yeast. A double distillation in small copper pot stills follows. The tequila is blended with demineralized water to reduce to 80 proof before bottling. Read more
Review: Woodys Northwoods Maple Bourbon Cream
Woodys Northwoods Maple Bourbon Cream is one of three bourbon creams recently released by Apollo Beverages. The other varieties include Original Bourbon Cream, and Honey Bourbon Cream. Woodys Maple is crafted with real maple syrup, bourbon aged in American oak barrels, and real dairy cream. This is my second Woodys review, and the one I was most interested in trying, but maple flavored spirits have been hit or miss, and I felt Woodys Original was the safer pick. Because Woodys Original tasted so good, I decided to give their Maple Bourbon Cream a try. Read more
Review: Toppers White Chocolate Raspberry Rhum
Toppers White Chocolate Raspberry Rhum is one of six handcrafted rhums produced on the island of St Maarten at the Toppers Distillery. Rhum is the French spelling of rum. The other Toppers rhums include Coconut, Spiced, Mocha Mama, Banana Vanilla Cinnamon, and Caribbean White. These rhums are based on recipes Melanie Daboul has been perfecting since 1994. Each Toppers Rhum is handmade with natural ingredients and hand bottled in St Maarten. Read more
Review: Triple Eight Vanilla Vodka
Triple Eight Vanilla Vodka is crafted on the island of Nantucket located 30 miles south of Cape Cod Massachusetts. The vodka base is made from organic wheat grown in Italy and it is triple distilled in a pot still. Pure soft water drawn from well #888 is blended to reduce to proof. Real vanilla beans from both New Guinea and Madagascar are infused with the vodka with one very large vanilla bean included with each bottle. Read more
Review: Herradura Coleccion De La Casa Reserva 2016 Port Cask
Herradura Coleccion De La Casa Reserva 2016 Port Cask is the fifth in their series of annual limited edition craft tequila’s. Since 1870 Casa Herradura has been hand harvesting and estate bottling the finest 100% agave tequila. In 1974 Herradura introduced the industries first Reposado Tequila. In 1995 the first Extra Anejo. Coleccion De La Casa is crafted by Master Distiller Maria Teresa Lara, one of the only female distillers in the tequila industry. After maturing for 11 months in a medium char American Oak Barrel, the tequila is finished for two months in a cask previously used to age port from the renowned Duoro Valley in Portugal. Read more
Review: Travis Hasse Cow Pie Liqueur
Travis Hasse Cow Pie Liqueur was released September 2012. It joined their previously released Apple Pie and Cherry Pie Liqueurs. All three are made by the Travis Hasse Distillery in Waunekee Wisconsin. At launch Cow Pie was made with neutral grain spirits. Today TH Cow Pie Liqueur is made with Chocolate, Caramel, Vanilla, Wisconsin Dairy Cream and Rum. It is bottled at 30 proof. Read more
Review: Evangelines Pralines and Cream Liqueur
Evangelines Pralines and Cream Liqueur is Sazerac Co. take on a very southern treat. They also produce a Praline Liqueur. I don’t think this product is brand new but almost no information is available. Pecans have become increasingly popular in flavored spirits, including several whiskeys and a couple of vodkas. While there have also been a couple of pecan pie flavored spirits, Evangelines Praline Pecan Liqueur is the only other praline flavored spirit I’m aware of. Read more
Review: Heritage Coffee Vodka
Heritage Coffee Vodka is one of 23 naturally flavored vodkas crafted at their distillery in Gig Harbor Washington. With Starbucks based in nearby Seattle Washington, it should come as no surprise that Heritage Coffee Vodka is their best selling flavored vodka. 65% of Americans drink coffee at breakfast, and the US spends $40 each year on coffee. I guess the only thing surprising should be that this is my first coffee flavored vodka review. I have reviewed several Espresso flavored vodkas. The vodka base for Heritage Coffee is small batch distilled from wine grapes in an Italian made still named Nonna. Natural flavors are then blended before bottling at 60 proof. Read more