Review: Espolon Blanco Tequila
Espolan Blanco Tequila was reintroduced May 2010 after a three year absence. It was originally launched in 2000. In 2008 Campari bought the Espolon brand along with the San Nicolas Distillery where it is made. This came 1 year after Campari acquired 80% of Cabo Wabo Tequila which is also made at the San Nicolas Distillery. Espolan is crafted by Master Distiller Cirico Oropeza with 100% agave that is slow roasted for 18-20 hours. The agave is fermented and then distilled for up to 5 1/2 hours while rock music plays to inspire the agave. The tequila is rested for several months in a stainless steel tank before it is filtered and then bottled at 80 proof. Espolon is named for the spur of the proud rooster, and the bottles label features a skeleton riding a rooster into battle. Read more 
Review: 360 Red Delicious Apple Vodka
360 Red Delicious Apple Vodka was just released by Earth Friendly Distilling Company, a division of McCormick Distilling of Weston Missouri. It is one of twelve vodka varieties they currently produce with American grain that is distilled six times and filtered six times. This is a change from previously reviewed 360 vodka’s that were distilled 4 times and filtered 5 times. Natural flavor is infused before bottling at 70 proof. The Red Delicious Apple was developed on a farm in Iowa in 1872. By 1980 Red Delicious Apples accounted for 75% of the apple harvest in Washington State. While that percentage is now closer to 30%, the Red Delicious Apple is still the most popular apple grown in Washington. It will also be the prettiest apple sitting on the teachers desk. Read more
Review: Crown Royal Vanilla
Crown Royal Vanilla Whisky was just released. It is their fourth flavor infused whisky and comes just 3 months after the launch of Crown Royal Honey. Wouldn’t it be great if we could count on a new Crown Royal flavor every quarter? Crown Royal Vanilla is crafted with corn, rye, and barley with pure water naturally filtered through limestone. After distilling, the whisky is aged in oak barrels and then infused with the rich flavor of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla. The trademark velvet bag included in the box is not white like the Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla flower or the ice cream flavor, but rather brown like the bean itself. Read more
Review: 42 Below Vodka
42 Below Vodka was launched in 1999 and later sold to Bacardi in 2008. It is one of five vodka varieties they craft in New Zealand. The other flavors include Kiwi, Passion, Honey, and Feijoa. The vodka is named for both the alcohol percent it is bottled at and the latitude in degrees below the equator it is distilled at. 42 Below is made from GM free Red Winter Wheat grown in Australia and New Zealand and pure aa spring water sourced from deep springs. The vodka is distilled three times and then washed with pure spring water to reduce the proof and remove the impurities. It is then distilled again before it is filtered through 35 different filters. Read more
Review: Jumbie Pineapple Splash
Jumbie Pineapple Splash is one of four flavor infused rums made with a blend of barrel aged rum distilled in Panama by the Jumbie Trading Company. The other flavors include Coconut, Vanilla, and Mango. Bottled at 48 proof with a splash of natural pineapple flavor, Jumbie Pineapple Splash is priced to compete with the Malibu, Cruzan, and Captain Morgan Pineapple flavored rums. While it may be a little harder to find than those big International Brands, if it tastes as good as the previously reviewed Jumbie Coconut Splash, it may be worth the time spent searching for it. Read more
Review: Burnetts Peach Vodka
Burnetts Peach Vodka was introduced in 2006. Burnetts Vodka was launched in 1991 and they released their first flavored vodka in 2000. Today they have 37 flavored vodkas. Burnetts Peach Vodka is produced from 100% grain in Bardstown Kentucky at the Heaven Hill Distillery. The vodka base is quadruple distilled and triple charcoal filtered. Natural peach flavor is added before bottling at 70 proof. Read more
Review: Stillhouse Coconut Moonshine
Stillhouse Coconut Moonshine was re-launched March 2016. It was originally introduced along with a Peach Tea, Apple Crisp, and Red Hot flavor in 2014. While the first thing I notice is the stainless steel can it is now packaged in, further investigation shows the alcohol has been increased from 40 to 69 proof. They also added a Mint Chip flavor to their lineup. The moonshine base was created by Brad Beckerman and Adam Perry Lang who spent three years developing the recipe. It is made from 100% estate grown corn that is distilled five times in a traditional copper whiskey still that was built in 1930. After charcoal filtering a coconut liqueur is infused before canning at 69 proof. Besides standing out on the back of a bar, the turpentine looking can is practical, as the can engineers even designed it to fit a universal pour spout for bars. Read more
Review: Toast Vodka
Toast Vodka was developed by entrepreneur and restaurateur Dieuveny Louis. It is corn based and distilled six times in Florida with the natural essence of coconut. The coconut water used in Toast Vodka’s production is unsweetened and retains all the natural benefits. Toast Vodka is the Official Vodka of the America’s Cup in 2016. Read more
Review: OFallon Vanilla Pumpkin Beer
OFallon Vanilla Pumpkin Beer was just released. It joins a pumpkin beer lineup that already includes OFallon Imperial Pumpkin, and OFallon Pumpkin Beer. Each is brewed at their 40,000 square foot brewery in Maryland Heights Missouri. Last year OFallon Pumpkin Beer was one of my favorite pumpkin flavored beers. OFallon Vanilla Pumpkin is sold in 6 packs of 12 ounce bottles and is also featured in their Pumpkin Pack variety 12 pack. If you don’t think three pumpkin flavored beers is enough for one brewery to craft you will be happy to learn this twelve pack includes three bottles each of OFallon Vanilla Pumpkin, Pumpkin Peach, Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin, and Jack O Latte, their Pumpkin Cream Beer. Read more
Review: Jumbie Coconut Splash
Jumbie Coconut Splash is made with a blend of barrel aged rum distilled in Panama, and a splash of natural coconut flavor. It is one of 4 flavor infused rums made by the Jumbie Trading Company as an homage to the spirit of the island of St Maarten. The other flavors include Pineapple, Vanilla, Mango. They also produce Rum Jumbie, a Caribbean Rum based liqueur infused with natural passion fruit flavor. Originally named Rum Jumbie Coconut Splash it has been rebranded without the Rum in the brands name. The name Jumbie comes from Caribbean lore. It was believed in the caves of a remote Caribbean Island was a well sought after rum recipe. It remained hidden for a long time as the natives feared entering the mysterious alcoves in the belief that Jumbies or spirits would possess anyone who found the recipe causing them to dance all night long. Jumbie Splash is a tribute to that rediscovered recipe. Read more