The envelope-pushing brewers at California’s Stone Brewing Company describe their new genre-defying Stone Mocha IPA (exhibiting traditional qualities of both IPA’s and stouts) as “the best of both styles, making this love child of a beer simply just a beautiful, pleasure-seeking meld of Imperial IPA and mocha indulgence.” We like IPA. …
WhistlePig Rye Whiskey is a collaboration between entrepreneur Raj P. Bhakta and Master Distiller Dave Pickerell (of Makers Mark) that began with an intention to bring high quality pure rye whiskey back to the coveted spot it had once held in the American spirits industry. With nine years of hard …
If the name “Flesh & Blood” for Dogfish Head’s new IPA stirs up some ominous connotations for you, fear not. The “flesh and blood” of which the moniker refers once belonged to ripe, juicy, lemons and blood oranges, the zesty and bright essence of which elevate this brew from just …
The beautiful undulating green hillsides of rural England are lush with botanical delights, and leading UK independent beverage producer Halewood Wines & Spirits has intelligently decided to incorporate some of that prolific local flora into their two new craft gins in the JJ Whitley line. JJ Whitley London Dry Gin, the more …
The name for Glenmorangie’s sherry cask-aged whisky ‘Lasanta’ is derived from the Gaelic for warmth or passion. Considering the enticing aromas of warm spices, chocolate, and toffee that seduce the olfactory senses from this bottle as well as the lush butterscotch, walnut, and hazelnut on the palate, Lasanta certainly seems an …
British spirits industry writer Jim Murray, who literally wrote the Bible on whisky (Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible) describes the successful Sauternes-finishing of Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or in the following enthusiastic terms: “Great to see French casks that actually complement a whisky-so rare! An exercise in outrageously good sweet-dry balancing.” Nectar d’Or is …
Elysian: of, relating to, or characteristic of heaven or paradise. The word stems from the Elysian fields of Greek mythology, a utopian paradise reserved for heroes after death. Synonyms include heavenly, paradisiacal, and divine. The Elysian Collection, then, seems an appropriate agnomen for British designer Jo Sampson’s sublime collection of …
If there’s one thing you can say about innovative British designer Jo Sampson, it’s that her taste is absolutely impeccable. Coming from your writer who is lucky if she can match her socks or not end up with a ragtag collection of uncoordinated wine glasses due to breakage—let’s just say …
We were initially a little perplexed over a whiskey that seemed to be named for a hotel, but the name of Hilhaven Lodge Whiskey becomes clearer when one takes into account its co-founder is hotelier and Hollywood director Bret Ratner, owner of the now-iconic Beverly Hills accommodation. The property was once …
If “punk rock Waterford crystal” sounds like an oxymoron you’d have a hard time formulating into your image of the iconic brand eschewed in tradition, take a look at designer Jo Sampson’s new Rebel Collection designed for Waterford. Glowing with velvety, smoky shades of bronze, mauve, gold, and vibrant purple and …
The afternoon sunlight filtering through your crystal barware tosses colorful reflections of violet, lime, warm garnet, and azure standing out in bold against white linen. Clean, contemporary lines are the dominant esthetic here, along with a bright rainbow of unabashed color. In short, this is not your grandmother’s Waterford. Waterford’s …
If the undated, opaque, solid black bottle of Glenlivet’s new Cipher Single Malt Scotch appears to be cloaked in mystery, that’s actually by design. Those who appreciate a challenge to their tastebuds’ prowess along with a fine whisky will embrace the interactive Scotch experience created by Glenlivet Master Distiller Alan Winchester. …