Review: Star Union Vodka
Bob Windy and Jeff Yosowitz co-founded Star Union Spirits in 2016. They built the distillery in the historic Westclox Factory in Peru Illinois. Named after Star Union Products Company. They brewed Star Model Beer from 1845-1966 in Bob Windy’s hometown of Peru IL. Star Union Spirits currently crafts 20 spirits including Star Union Vodka, Brandy, Whiskey, Agave Spirits, Absinthe, Rum, Coffee Liqueur, Rum & Rye, Grappa, and Flavored Whiskey. Star Union Vodka is distilled four times on a custom German built Ulrich Kothe Hybrid pot/column still from 100% locally grown Illinois corn and water sourced from local limestone wells and bottled at 82 proof. Read more 
Review: Tierra De Ensueno Tequila Blanco
Tierra De Ensueno Tequila Blanco was launched April 2024 in the US. It was crafted by Tequila Maestro Sergio Cruz and Master Blender Oscar Vasquez. It is made from 100% blue agave estate grown on a 3000 acre estate in the Highlands of Jalisco over 7000 feet above sea level. The trimmed pinas are cut in half removing the cogollo, a cluster of shorter leaves in the pina’s center. They steam cook in stone ovens for 1 to 2 days. After resting for 24 hours the juice is roller mill extracted, then fermented open air in stainless steel tanks with a 3 yeast blend while classical music plays for 3-7 days, depending on the weather. The spirit is double distilled. First in stainless then copper pot stills. The tequila rests in stainless tanks for several weeks, and is finished in extra rare wheated bourbon casks for 14 days. Read more
Review: Kavanagh Coconut Irish Cream
Kavanagh Coconut Irish Cream is one of 8 Kavanagh Irish cream liqueurs currently sold at Total Wine & More stores. While coconut is a very popular ingredient blended with rum both with and without cream, Kavanagh Coconut is only the second coconut flavored Irish cream liqueur sold in the US. Molly’s Coconut also made by Terra Spirits in Bailieboro Co. Cavan Ireland is the other coconut flavored Irish Cream liqueur. Bailey’s and Fennelly’s make a Pina Colada flavored Irish cream liqueur with both coconut and pineapple flavors but if you just what coconut, Irish Whiskey, and fresh cream flavor there are only two options. Kavanagh Coconut Irish Cream is made from fresh Irish cream that goes from cow to bottle in less than 48 hours, fine Irish spirits, Irish whiskey rumored to be distilled at Teelings, and rich coconut flavor. Back in 2020 I reviewed over 30 flavored Irish Cream liqueurs and Molly’s Coconut came up on top so I’m excited to see what Terra Spirits has done with their second coconut flavor Irish Cream liqueur. Read more
Review: Kavanagh Chocolate Peanut Irish Cream
Kavanagh Chocolate Peanut Irish Cream liqueur is sold at Total Wine & More stores throughout the US. With 104 Irish Cream liqueur, and 44 peanut butter whiskey reviews already posted I think it’s fair to say Best Tasting Spirits is the leading source for these two product categories. The Kavanagh Irish Cream liqueur product line now includes 8 varieties including Kavanagh Original, Pumpkin Spice, White Chocolate, Coconut, Espresso Martini, Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and Chocolate Peanut. By my count this is the sixth peanut flavored Irish Cream Liqueur sold in the US. Four of these brands McCleary’s, O’Reilly’s, McGrath’s, and Sheelin are made by Robert Merry’s in Tipperary Ireland. Carolan’s Peanut Butter Irish Cream is made in Abbeyleix Ireland. Kavanagh Chocolate Peanut is crafted in Bailieboro Co. Cavan Ireland by Terra Spirits with fresh Irish dairy cream from grass fed cows, fine grain spirit, smooth Irish whiskey, chocolate and peanut flavoring. Read more
Review: Viva Mexico Blanco Tequila
The Vivanco family has been farming agave fields for 5 generations starting in 1929. Feliciano Vivanco and his five sons established Viva Mexico/El Ranchito in 1994. Their distillery now named Feliciano Vivanco y Asociados currently produces tequila for 37 brands including Alma Del Jaguar, Artenom Seleccion de 1414, Denada, Gran Dovejo, Lost Lore, Siempre, and Yeyo. Viva Mexico Blanco Tequila is made from 100% blue agave grown in Arandas Mexico. The pinas are slow cooked in masonry ovens for 48-50 hours. The extracted juice is fermented with yeast in stainless tanks while classical music plays for 120-200 hours, depending on the weather. The spirit is double distilled in copper stills. Read more
Review: Medoyeff Vodka
Lee Medoff and Christian Krogstad Co-Founded House Spirits and released Medoyeff Vodka in 2004. Medoyeff Vodka is a salute to Lee Medoff and his Russian family heritage. Lee Medoff is a third generation Oregonian. His Grandfather Alexander Medoyeff eventually settled in Oregon after leaving Russia in the Russian Revolution. Lee started as a brewer at McMenamins before co-founding House Spirits. Their first spirits were Medoyeff and Aviation Vodka. In 2010 Lee left House Spirits and started Bull Run Distillery bringing Medoyeff Vodka with him. Medoyeff Vodka is distilled from 100% corn and pure spring water from the Cascade Mountains. Read more
Review: Alto Canto Blanco Tequila
Alto Canto Tequila was launched May 21, 2024. Alto Canto translates to high song. Founder Daday Suarez and Master Distiller Juan Reyes spent five years building their distillery, Tequila El Rocia. At 9000 feet above sea level this single brand distillery is the world’s highest tequila distillery. Alto Canto is made from 2 ingredients, 100% organic agave grown in the Highlands, and mountain spring water. The trimmed agave is roasted in a masonry oven for 72 hours. The pinas are macerated by tahona and the extracted juice is open air fermented with fibers in oak fermentation tanks with endemic yeast. After 80 hours a second spontaneous malolactic fermentation occurs. The spirit is double distilled in small copper alembic stills. The tequila then rests for 45 days in white oak containers before bottling. Read more
Review: Dirty Devil Vodka
Dirty Devil Vodka bills itself as the worlds 1st hyper-oxygenated spirit. It was created and launched in Quebec February 2019 by founder Francois Tremblay. Dirty Devil is made from 100% non-GMO corn grown in Ontario Canada and hyper-oxygenated water. It is distilled 5 times and filtered 3 times then rested for 6 weeks before bottling. So what makes the water so special? It starts with Canadian spring water that first undergoes a reverse osmosis filtration. The purified water is speed chilled to 4 degrees celsius then placed in a plasma reactor changing the molecular structure of the water locking 5 times the normal amount of oxygen into the water. Read more
Review: Black Sheep Tequila Blanco
The Black Sheep Tequila story starts when Rodolfo a Mexican born fifth generation agave farmer and his friend from Tennessee, Jason Charles reunited in Arandas Mexico. The result is Black Sheep Tequila which was founded in 2000. It is made from single estate 100% Weber blue agave grown for 7-10 years on 400 acres they own, and Rodolfo manages in the Highland region. Black Sheep Tequila is distilled at Integradora San Agustin where the agave is slow baked in brick stone ovens. The extracted juice is fermented in the wild in open air wooden vats where it is heated and cooled for 3 1/2 days. It is then double distilled in small capacity copper pot stills. Read more
Review: Tommyrotter Vodka
Tommyrotter Distillery was founded by Bobby Finan and Sean Insalaco. It opened July 2015 in a 116 year old factory in Buffalo New York, in the historic hydraulic manufacturing district. They produced vodka, gin, and bourbon on their 2700 square foot production floor before closing the distillery in 2024. The distillery takes its name from the Tommyrotter’s Club a brand of rebellious artisans in the early 20th century who sought adventure mischief and inspiration. Tommyrotter Vodka is made from 100% New York grown corn. It is distilled six time followed by a 3 stage filter with layers of charcoal, gravel and sand. Read more