Review: Our/Los Angeles Vodka
Our/Vodka is a global family of vodkas made in micro distilleries in city centers around the world. Our/Vodka was started by six entrepreneurs in Stockholm Sweden in 2011. Our/Los Angeles Vodka is the sixth release in the series. An electrically heated copper still with a filling capacity of 15.8 gallons is used to distill a raw wheat distillate sourced from Ahus Sweden. This distillate is contant across all of the sister cities. Each micro distillery then adds their own locally sourced ingredients and unique distilling process in crafting their own personal vodka. Our/Los Angeles Vodka starts with demineralized and deionized Los Angeles city water to achieve a pure starting place for the process. The water, high wine distillate from the alembic and rectified spirit which is sourced from Idaho wheat and fermented with a non GMO strain of yeast that is traditionally used in wine making, are blended in a stainless steel agitating tank that has a maximum filling capacity of 132 gallons to achieve the final product. Once blended the bottles are rinsed and filled in a 375 ml. bottle similar in shape to a bottle of Red Stripe beer, then capped with a crown cap on the bottling machine. Read more 
Review: Mullins Irish Cream Liqueur
Mullins Irish Cream Liqueur is produced and bottled by Robert A Merry and Co. in Clonmel, County Tipperary Ireland. This distillery not only produces several private label Irish cream liqueur brands including O’Donnells, McCleary, Sheelin, Fennellys, and O’Reillys, they make their own under the Merrys label. Mullins appears to be an Irish cream liqueur sold exclusively at Walmart. It is made with aged Irish whiskey, grain spirits, and fresh dairy cream. Natural flavors and caramel color are blended before bottling at 34 proof. Read more
Review: Los Sundays Reposado Tequila
The idea for Los Sundays was originally sparked by a home made liqueur 3 friends including Mitchell Hayes, Founder and President of Los Sundays found from a street vendor during a trip to Tijuana. After falling in love with this agave based liqueur they started playing with the thought of creating a tequila with similar flavor attributes. Soon after they jumped on a plane, flew to Jalisco, and made their way to the city of Tequila. They developed a relationship turned partnership with a family owned distillery with unique signature distilling techniques that was as passionate about creating this tequila as they were. After a few months of sampling, refining and bringing back bootlegged sample bottles for friends to taste. They found the final ingredient that makes Los Sundays so special, a natural coconut extract, which is added in the last 8 hours of distilling. Not a flavoring syrup, and not added after the fact. This ensures the flavor is subtle yet present and most importantly still allows the agave to be the dominate flavor. Los Sundays Reposado Tequila is made from hand selected sustainably farmed 100% Blue Weber agave grown in both the Highland and Lowland region for between 8-12 years. It is double distilled and aged for 12 months in oak barrels. Read more
Review: Humboldt Distillery Organic Vodka
Humboldt Distillery Organic Vodka is crafted from organic sugarcane and pristine water sourced from a watershed that originates in old growth redwood forests. The spirit is small batch distilled four times. Humboldt Distillery Organic Vodka is free of glycerin, sweeteners, citrus acid or additives. Abe Stevens founded Humboldt Distillery in 2012. They currently also produces a gold rum, spiced rum, and a cannabis infused vodka. All are certified organic. The Humboldt Distillery has increased distribution of their entire product line to now include 12 states. Read more
Review: Smirnoff Moscow Mule Vodka
Smirnoff Moscow Mule Vodka is a ginger and lime infused vodka. Smirnoff is commemorating the anniversary of the Moscow Mule with this limited edition vodka. Smirnoff invented the Moscow Mule in 1941. For those unfamiliar with a Moscow Mule the drink is made with Smirnoff Vodka, Ginger Beer, and a squeeze of fresh Lime Juice. The cocktail is traditionally served in an ice filled copper mug. Smirnoff Moscow Mule vodka is made with vodka, natural flavors, and certified color. It weighs in at 60 proof. Smirnoff even sells this in a copper colored bottle. The bottle’s label reads, just add ginger ale. The Original Smirnoff Moscow Mule is made with 1.5 Oz. Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka, 4 Oz. Ginger Beer, and a squeeze of fresh lime. It doesn’t sound that complicated. As with all of my reviews Smirnoff Moscow Mule Vodka will be reviewed as a stand alone product. I will also mix and sample a Moscow Mule made with this vodka and ginger ale and offer my comments. Read more
Review: Broken Shed Vodka
Broken Shed Vodka was released 2011. The vodka is named for the broken down shed where the spirit was first created on the South Island of New Zealand in the Township of Wanaka. Wanaka is situated in a glacier carved basin on the shores of Lake Wanoka. Broken Shed is made from distilled whey and a blend of water from two of New Zealand’s purest water sources. East Tamaki located on the North Island and Central Otago located on the South Island. It is four times distilled and filtered through a custom designed charcoal and depth filtration process. Whey is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained. While whey may seem like an unusual base to distill vodka from, several other vodkas including Milk Money, VDKA 6100, Vermont White, and Black Cow also distill their vodka from milk. Broken Shed is crafted without using additives or sugars. Read more
Review: Los Sundays Blanco Tequila
Los Sundays was established in 2016 on the principles of quality, originality, and style. Los Sundays Blanco Tequila was released September 2017 along with Los Sundays Reposado. The tequila is crafted at Destiladora del Valle de Tequila where the distillery is positioned over a running volcano river system where the water can be used in the distilling process. Los Sundays is made from hand selected sustainably farmed 100% Blue Weber agave grown in both the Highland and Lowland Region for between 8-12 years. A minimum of 23 sugar brix per agave is required before selecting, to ensure premium smoothness and flavor. The distillery has secured relationships with agave farmers in the Highland and Lowland Regions to ensure consistent quality. The agave is slow cooked in “hornos”, above ground stone ovens for between 24-48 hours using steam. The Molino’s then crush the agave and extract the juice. A proprietary yeast strain from Germany is added in a fermentation process that lasts 48-72 hours. Los Sundays is double distilled. In the final stages of the distillation process a signature natural coconut extract is added and left to distill for the final 8 hours. The natural coconut extract is added before the distillation process is finished to maintain smoothness while still enabling bright, crisp agave flavors to sit foremost in the flavor profile. Distribution is currently limited to California but Los Sundays Blanco Tequila is available to order online at http://www.hitimewine.net Read more
Review: Ketel One Botanical Cucumber and Mint
Ketel One Botanical Cucumber and Mint was released May 2018 along with the previously reviewed Grapefruit and Rose, and Peach and Orange Blossom varieties. The Ketel One Botanical line was created by 11th generation distillers Carl Jr. and Bob Nolet. With over 327 years of distilling experience passed down from 11 generations they live by the family motto, quality over everything. Each variety starts with Original Ketel One vodka made from 100% GMO free European wheat. The base is re-distilled with the Nolet family’s botanical recipe in small batches through traditional copper pot stills. After distillation the spirit is infused with the natural essence specific to each variety. No artificial flavors, sugars, or carbs are added before bottling at 60 proof. Weighing in at 73 calories per 1.5 Oz. serving Ketel One Botanical Cucumber Mint is crafted with 40% fewer calories than a glass of white wine. Read more
Review: Bacardi Gran Reserva Diez
Bacardi Gran Reserva Diez was released May 2018 as part of the Bacardi Premium Portfolio which also includes Bacardi Anejo Cuatro, Bacardi Reserva Ocho, and Bacardi Gran Reserva Limitada, a 12 year old rum that retails for $100. Overall rum sales have been in decline for years including 2017 where total rum sales where down 1.5%. By contrast the five leading Super Premium rum brands which include Plantation, Ron Zacapa, Diplomatico, Pusser, and Pyrat grew a combined 29% last year. With brands like Grey Goose and Patron already in their product portfolio Bacardi already know the power of premium brands. Currently premium rum makes up 15% of the total rum market. As a comparison 53% of tequila and 43% of whiskey sold is in the premium category. Bacardi Gran Reserva Diez is made from high grade sugarcane molasses, and purified water. It is fermented with La Levadura a proprietary single strain yeast. The spirit is column distilled and American oak barrel aged for a minimum ten years. Unlike some of their rum competitors who use an age statement to refer to the oldest rum in the blend, the Bacardi age statement refers to the minimum age. Read more
Review: Enchanted Rock Vodka
Enchanted Rock Vodka is made at the Rebecca Creek Distillery in San Antonio Texas. The distillery was founded by Steve Ison in 2009. The Rebecca Creek Distillery also produces Enchanted Rock Peach Vodka, Rebecca Creek Whiskey, and Texas Ranger Whiskey. Enchanted Rock is named for the pink granite mountain located about 17 miles north of Fredricksburg Texas. It is said to be haunted by ghosts. Enchanted Rock Vodka is crafted in small batches. The hearts of the distillate are made from corn and distilled in a Christian Carl copper pot still. The spirits then enter in vapor form under pressure into a modern 6 plate copper column still where the spirit is distilled the functional equivalent of 10 times. The flavor is rounded out using a proprietary 28 degree frost filtration. The temperature is first reduced to 28 degrees and then the chilled vodka is passed under pressure through 25 microfiber paper filters. Pure limestone filtered water is blended to reduce to proof. Read more