Wine, whiskey, and alcohol archeology
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Recent wines sampled
I have tried a number of wines lately and here are the ones that I can recommend as worthy of the prices charged and that I would happily purchase again:
Josh Zinfandel (Lodi) 2022, $15: Fruity, with a hint of clove and a big vanilla note. Pass me the brie or a burger. Read more here.
Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel (Contra Costa County), $18: Tastes of plum and noses of earth. Read more here.
Noble Vines 242 Sauvignon Blanc $11: Notes of grapefruit, apricot, and Graham cracker. Crisp! Read more here.
Three recommended whiskeys
Lost Lantern Far-Flung Rye. Edition 2023 FFR-1: Whoa, this whiskey is 121.6 proof! Only 486 bottles were produced. It shows notes of black pepper, chocolate, blackberry, and barrel. Read more here.
Noble Oak Spirits Double Oak Rye Whiskey: This spirit is 96 proof and the port wine staves used during aging added real fruitiness. Yum. Read more here.
M&H Distillery Elements Single Malt Whisky: In Whiskey: A Global History I described how whiskey-making had moved beyond the traditional locales (Scotland, Kentucky, etc.) Here's a great example. Made in Tel Aviv, Israel, this subtle and fruity whiskey tastes like it comes from the Highlands. It is delicious. Read more here.
Alcohol archeology and Art in the Age
Brands come, and brands go. I have seen countless drinks launch and then flame out or quietly disappear over the past three decades. Digging through AlcoholReviews.com’s trove of reviews I feel like an alcohol archeologist. I see long-gone brands. Some, like Zone Vodka, were good. Others were mistakes, the equivalent of an evolutionary misfire.
One line of spirits I have missed is Art in the Age, which produced drinks modeled on early American recipes. There was Root, Sage, Rhubarb, and others. Art in the Age was started by Steve Grasse, the entrepreneur who created Hendrick’s Gin and Sailor Jerry Rum (excellent spirits).
Bit by bit I have exhausted my supply of these fine spirits, which I can;t find on any shop shelves as their production ceased some time back.
But I have hope in my heart. After some troubles, Art in the Age has come back, and has a couple of new products on the market: a bourbon and a rum. I am eager to see what comes next Mr. Grasse and Tamworth Distilling.