The final day of my Oregon travels was devoted almost exclusively to the wines of the Applegate Valley. This region is brimming with under heralded juice just waiting to be unearthed. But considering that this part of Southern Oregon is also home to one of the most rapidly-developing craft beer scene in the country, it becomes clear that the Applegate is cloud nine for connoisseurs.

Caledonia Spirits is far from ordinary. Born of the Northeastern Kingdom in verdant, Vermont farmland, is a line of vodka and gin distilled from the finest local ingredients. The most notable component? Pure, raw honey. Owner and distiller Todd Hardie has spent most of his life as a beekeeper. So it was only natural for him to ferment the bounty of his craft into something special: Barr Hill Vodka. Turning honey into vodka is no easy task, either. It requires a unique process of cold fermentation which preserves the subtleties of the nectar while highlighting some unexpected complexities. For example, my first sip of the silky smooth spirit produced lingering notes of vanilla that lasted for a few moments after the swallow. There is a slight spice on the tip of the tongue that doesn’t quite make it to the back of the throat. Mass market vodkas in this country tend [...]

Ireland is a diverse landscape of endless beauty. On a recent voyage, I set out to discover the Emerald Isle by way of her spectacular spirits. There’s no more obvious place to begin than upon the doorstep of the world’s most popular Irish Whiskey: Jameson.

The Big Apple is always providing access to the excess; the biggest skyline, the best bars, the most delicious food. When visiting La Birreria (200 5th Avenue), a rooftop beer garden in the middle of Manhattan, you get it all. Drink it in.

Derby Day is almost upon us and while that means Mint Juleps for many of us, remember that there are still plenty of other classic Bourbon cocktails to enjoy. But before you can get to building your masterpiece, you need to sort out the foundation. One of my all-time favorite Kentucky whiskeys, both for sipping and mixing, remains Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey. From the color, to the finish, right down to the old-time packaging, it is a gem. Their green labeled Rye is also worthy of admiration. I’ve been sipping on them both for quite some time, but as of late I’ve decided to tinker with a few mixed concoctions. Allow me to share some of my favorites… The Kentucky Cutter Ideal for Derby Day, this Bluegrass beauty combines an ounce of Bulleit Bourbon, 1/2oz. of triple sec, 1/2oz. of lemon juice and 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters. Shake it all [...]

Though Napa is the famed ground zero for wine in Northern California, a bit north of the herds of red teethed tourists, quaint St. Helena is putting herself on the map. It’s not just a stopover, but is grounding itself in excellent food, myriad colorful shops, and delicious cocktails. Drink Me headed up to St. Helena to check out La Condesa, the stylish gourmet Mexican restaurant that was recently remodeled and spruced up their menu with some tantalizing new dishes, a fresh look on Mexican influenced cocktails, and a redesign of the space. We were welcomed in with a live 3-piece band and a lively atmosphere, a pleasant departure from the relatively quiet town after dark. Chef Mortenson, originally from the other La Condesa in Austin, Texas, is brining farm to table trends of the Bay Area to more traditional Mexican (Mexico city) fare. We started off the the Guacamole Tasting ($15) – [...]

If you’re a microbrew in the Bay Area these days, it’s kind of tough to make a name for yourself. After all, the region is home to some of the world’s premiere small batch beers. But down in the South Bay, just up the hills from the sprawling city of San Jose, a contract brewery named Strike has attracted a good deal of attention in a short period of time.

Down in San Diego, California, they have a well-designed stadium called Petco Park. It’s home to the Padres of the National League. Opened less than a decade ago, it’s new, sleek, with great sightlines and an awesome location right alongside the bay. A lot of ballparks across the country share these characteristics. But Petco remains the only ballpark in the United States directly connected to a hotel, The Omni (675 L Street). This might not seem that special until you consider the deal they’re offering this season…