Boozenik

Bottle Reviews

Review: Denizen Rum

  What newcomers to rum often don’t understand is that clear doesn’t always mean faux vodka, and dark doesn’t always mean funky and strong. There are several different paths from the cane field to the bottle, and whether a spirit is made from the sugar, or the molasses, or the juice, or all of the above, varies with local tradition,... [Read more of this review]

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Review: Pisco Portón

  Pisco Portón is another well crafted expression of Peruvian pisco as that spirit comes back strong in the U.S. market after a long hiatus stretching back to Prohibition, which ended the reign of the spirit of the Andes as also being the spirit of San Francisco, and the West coast in general. Unlike many other acholado (blended) piscos,... [Read more of this review]

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Review: Pisco Oro Quebranta

  Peruvian pisco is a moderately regulated spirit, with the distillate from only certain regions, and only eight* varieties of grapes being allowed to be labelled as “pisco”. Most pisco distillers typically make one, or maybe a couple variations. Most make an acholado, or blend of typically 2-4 grapes, while some also make a “puro”... [Read more of this review]

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Review: Bak’s Zubrówka Bison Grass Flavored Vodka

  Until recently, Zubrówka, or bison grass flavored vodka was prohibited in the U.S. because of toxicity. Modern science then stepped in to remove that toxicity, so now a new, and very different, vodka flavor is available in the U.S. market under the name Bak’s Zubrówka Bison Grass Flavored Vodka. Nose: very sweet, flowering clover, wet... [Read more of this review]

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Review: Redbreast 12

The most popular expression of the “single pot still” whiskies from Midleton Distillery, Redbreast 12 is thrice distilled from a mix of malted and unmalted grains, and laid down in former bourbon and sherry casks for 12 years, chill filtered, and then bottled at 80 proof. Nose: bran muffin, wheat bread, maple syrup, french toast, allspice, garam... [Read more of this review]

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Review: Hayman’s Old Tom Gin

  One of the few (perhaps two at the time of publication) “Old Tom” gins with reasonable availability in the U.S. market, Hayman’s Old Tom Gin has been made since 2007 using what is supposed to be an old family recipe from the Victorian era. Do not expect anything like the London Dry gins you know and love or loathe. This gin, while... [Read more of this review]

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Review: Cardamaro

  The oldest amaro tradition is that of flavored wine. This 7th generation recipe flavors a Piemontese wine with artichoke thistle (Cynara cardunculus) and St.Benedict’s thistle (Cnicus benedictus), and other botanicals to create a bittersweet, lightly alcoholic amaro, rested in new oak for at least 6 months. Nose: Must, grape jam, rhubarb,... [Read more of this review]

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Review: Tub Gin

  While many of the new gin makers in the U.S. are making what is often calls “New American Gin”, the makers of TuB seem quite content to make what is close to an old style “London Dry Gin”, albeit with western six-shooter art. Nose: Moderately strong juniper, lemon peel and pith, grassy, with some floral/perfume components, probably... [Read more of this review]

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