Review: Sailor Jerry Savage Apple
Sailor Jerry Savage Apple is the first line extension in 19 years of the very popular Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum. It is made from the Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum base with real apple flavors added. Unlike the original Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum which is bottled at 92 proof, Savage Apple weighs in at a more user friendly 75 proof. Apple is the second most popular flavored whiskey only trailing cinnamon in bottles sold. Crown Royal Regal Apple is the second most popular flavored whiskey only trailing Fireball, so it is not a surprise that Sailor Jerry selected apple as their first flavor variant. Savage Jerry is currently only available in Illinois, California, Florida, and Texas, but National distribution will follow. Read more 
Review: Coconut Cartel Special
Coconut Cartel Special was inspired by a Miami favorite. Fresh cold coconuts spiked with premium Guatemalan dark rum. It is made from premium Guatemalan anejo rum. Guatemalan rum is made from fermented virgin sugar cane syrup. The rum is distilled in copper column stills and is solera-style aged in new charred American white oak barrels for between four and twelve years. The rum is proofed down to 40% alcohol with fresh coconut water before bottling. The Coconut Cartel brand was created by Mike and Dani Zig who were born in Miami to Latin parents. They grew up living between Miami, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Their first venture included smuggling coconuts in their suitcases from islands off the coast of El Salvador and selling them directly to Miami Beach’s best hotels. These coconuts were stamped with the Coconut Cartel or specific resort logo, and served with added alcohol. These coconut cocktails were quit popular. Coconut Cartel Special is an extension of this brand. Read more
Review: Cobalto Blanco Tequila
Cobalto Blanco Tequila is crafted at Destileria Casa de Piedra from 100% organic weber blue agave grown in the Highland region. The agave is slow baked in stone ovens and fermented in open air stainless steel tanks while classical music plays in the background. After a double distillation in stainless steel stills, the tequila is carefully filtered. This distillery also produces Terraneo, Zurdo, and Chamucos tequila. Read more
Review: Cape May Distillery Toasted Coconut Rum
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ape May Distillery Toasted Coconut Rum is one of six rums crafted at the Cape May Distillery in Cape May New Jersey. The other five rums include Beach Rum, Barrel Rum, Spiced Rum, Blueberry Rum, and Strawberry Banana Rum. They also produce vodka, gin, and whiskey. The distillery was the dream of two college friends with a love of distilling, and was founded in 2015. Cape May is located on the southern tip of New Jersey and is recognized as the country’s oldest seaside resort. Cape May Distillery Toasted Coconut Rum is made from their Beach Rum base. Real coconut is toasted in butter and aged in the barrel with the rum. Read more
Review: Dogfish Head Analog Vodka
Dogfish Head Analog Vodka was released in 2015. It is made from three ingredients, 2 Row Barley, R-O Water, and their proprietary Doggie yeast. They mill, ferment and distill the malted barley themselves. If the Dogfish Head name sounds familiar you may have enjoyed one of their craft beers. They have been brewing craft beers since 1995. While they have also distilled spirits since 2002, they became serious distillers in 2015 when they invested in new equipment and moved the operation to its current location. Analog Vodka by brewing a mash of malted barley. The mash is fermented with their proprietary Doggie ale yeast. The spirit is first distilled in a 500 gallon copper pot still. Head Distiller Graham Hamblett then runs the 80 proof low wine through a 25 foot, 20 plate custom column still made by Vendome Copper and Brassworks in Louisville Kentucky. Pure reverse osmosis water is blended with the 190 proof heart of the spirits. After a light filtering it is bottled at 80 proof. Read more
Review: Admiral Rodney HMS Princessa
Admiral Rodney HMS Princessa rum is distilled, blended and bottled by St. Lucia Distillers. Admiral George B Rodney will forever be remembered as the Admiral who broke the French line at the battle of the Saints, safeguarding British control of the Caribbean. The HMS Princessa was one of the first ships to engage the French in this battle. This is one of three rums in the Admiral Rodney line of spirits. All three are now available in the US. It is crafted on a twin 45 plate Coffey column still. The rums are extracted from the bottom plates of the still as these distillates have the balance of flavors to provide intensity and complexity. The rums are aged for 5-9 years in both American white oak bourbon, and port casks. The Master Blender then blends together the rums before bottling at 80 proof. Read more
Review: Boardroom Spirits Fresh Citrus Vodka
Boardroom Spirits Fresh Citrus Vodka was launched November 2016. It is made from an organic wheat based vodka. The vodka base is distilled in a custom crafted 120 gallon copper three plate column still produced by Hagyo Distilling in Hungary. Real fresh lemon, lime, and orange peel is infused. No artificial flavors, color, sugar, or preservatives are added. The ingredient list reads: organic wheat vodka, real citrus peel, water. It is hand bottled at 60 proof. Read more
Review: 1220 Encrypted Vodka
1220 Encrypted Vodka was released 12-20-18 by 1220 Artisan Spirits. 1220 Artisan Spirits is a distillery based in the Lasalle Park neighborhood of St. Louis Missouri and is owned by the team at 4 Hands Brewing Company. 4 Hands joins a growing list of craft brewers who have also started distilling spirits. A quick look at the 4 Hands web site shows a growing list of 43 beers they craft at different times throughout the year, including 7 that are offered year round. The distillery also produces several gins, Amaro, and a line of canned cocktails. 1220 Encrypted Vodka is made from Missouri grown corn that is 6 times distilled. It is blended with a small portion of California wine country’s finest grape neutral spirit. Read more
Review: Tolly’s Peanut Butter Cup
Tolly’s Peanut Butter Cup is produced by Temperance Brands in Temperance Michigan. Temperance Brands is a private label bottler who has developed, and manufactured over 100 unique beverages. Temperance Brands also produces some of their own brands, including 6th Element Vodka, Davenport Whiskey, Liquor Whipped, and Silk Wine. Tolly’s Peanut Butter Cup is one of three cream liqueurs they produce for their owned brand. Ohio Buckeye Candy, and Vanilla Spice are the other two varieties. Tolly’s Peanut Butter Cup is made with their 6th Element Peanut Butter flavored vodka, other than standard orange wine, cream, natural and artificial flavors, with caramel color added. It is bottled at 40 proof Read more
Review: Big Spring Spirits Coconut Rum
Big Spring Spirits Coconut Rum was released December 2014, along with a Spiced Rum, and Seven Governors Gin. Big Spring Spirits is named for Bellefonte’s Big Spring. This spring was awarded the Best Tasting Water in the State by the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association. The distillery also received a Gold rating from LEED, considered the leading benchmark in green buildings. Big Springs was conceived by friends, and Penn State alumni, Paula Cipar and Kevin Lloyd, and is located in the old Bellefonte Match Factory. This factory opened in 1900 and was one of the leading producers of wooden matches. The factory closed in 1947 due to competition from book matches and cigarette lighters. Big Spring Spirits Coconut Rum is made from 100% Caribbean Fancy Molasses, and is distilled in a pot still. Water sourced from the before mentioned Big Spring is blended to reduce to proof. Natural flavor is added before bottling at 70 proof. Read more