Category: Alcohol Reviews

Posted on: July 13, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Captain Morgan Sherry Oak Finish Spiced Rum Review

  There is a decidedly more complex flavor to the Sherry Oak Finish than to the original Captain Morgan. I feel it is this an amazing take on a classic spirit, with the classic Captain Morgan’s acquiring an evolved flavor by virtue of its time in sherry oak. The initial aroma of the Sherry Oak Finish Spiced Rum is very sweet, with hints of vanilla and raisin coming forth immediately.…

Posted on: July 3, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Alaskan Stout Review

  For those that have access to the Alaskan Stout, they should immediately search out a bottle. This is due to the smooth mouthfeel, absolutely dark color ,and full head that pours from each beer. The slightly heavier ABV (5.7%) allows for a hint of burn to moderate the coffee and caramel flavors that are present. With subsequent sips, bits of smoke and toasted malt become evident. Makes the beer…

Posted on: June 30, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Great Northern Porter Review

      While there seems to be a desire for individuals to want the lighter and more fruit-flavored beers during the summer months, I feel that porters provide a perfect counter-point to a big meal or long day of work. Summit’s Great Northern Porter is a rich brew that pours with an intimidatingly dark head and body. The lacing that remains stands in stark opposition to the dark coloration…

Posted on: June 26, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 18

Cayman Jack Hand Crafted Margarita Review

There have not been any bottled margaritas that been wowed me. Every time that I have purchased one, there just seems to be something off about the effort. This means that some efforts go overboard on the lime flavoring, while others just miss the mark entirely. We were lucky enough to receive a sample of the Cayman Jack Hand Crafted Margarita (which is available at places like Spirit Smuggler), and…

Posted on: June 26, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Brownstone Beer Review

Brownstone is an amazing brown ale, blending sweetness with a bite. Sixpoint is pegged at 6.0%, a shade higher than most brown ales. I feel that the additional alcohol works nicely with hints of fruit and bitterness provided by the hops. There is a decidedly more creamy feel to Brownstone that makes the beer eminently drinkable, a hint to the complexity that is present. As one begins on the second…

Posted on: June 16, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Big Bear Black Stout Review

This imperial stout is one of the most memorable that we have experienced; Bear Republic has created a delectable array of styles and flavors with the Big Bear Black Stout. Served cold in a 22 ounce bottle, the beer pours incredibly dark, with a small, tan head sitting on the top. As one continues to drink the Big Bear Black Stout, a light amount of lacing will occur. When individuals…

Posted on: June 11, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Goose Island 25th Anniversary Ale Review

Goose Island is celebrating their 25th Anniversary, and has brewed a special beer to commemorate the occasion. This beer – their 25th Anniversary Ale – is Goose Island’s take on the ESB style. What results in this Anniversary Ale is something that is a complex and intricate experience. The bottle pours nicely, with a large head that sticks around; the beer has an orange / copper hue that makes the…

Posted on: May 31, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 1

Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum Review

  This clear rum does for rum what Cabo Wabo did for tequila. There is a crispness that goes nicely with a sugary, toasted flavor. Fruit notes, linking together banana, coconut, and even guava, provide greater nuance to each mixed drink and shot.  Where rank and file rum simply works better in mixed drinks, Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum is a perfect sipping spirit for the days by the pool. When…

Posted on: May 31, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 3

Smuttynose ParadoX Beer Review

  ParadoX is an interesting beer – a Session IPA, the sharpest sides of the IPA style have been rounded off by a bit of cream and floral flavors. The 5.30% ABV of ParadoX is perfect to maintain the fruit (grapefruit, lemon) flavors while providing an imbiber with a filling and refreshing body. The immediate IPA bite that is encountered rapidly dissolves, allowing the sweet side of ParadoX to shine…

Posted on: May 23, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Wisteria Wheat Review

  This hefeweizen is one of the smoothest that we have ever experienced. While there is a mild effervescence to the opening sips of the beer, I feel that the banana / clove combination that is dominant during Wisteria Wheat is utterly unique. Fans of the sweetness of a cream soda will absolutely dig Wisteria Wheat – a sixer will go by incredibly quickly owing to the allure of this…

Posted on: May 20, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Adult Limeade Review

We had received a bottle of Adult Limeade for review in NeuFutur, and to be utterly honest, I was a little scared of the stuff. However, I feel that what the Adult Beverage Company has done with Adult Limeade is actually craft a liqueur that can succeed as a sipping spirit just as much as it will in ice or as a shot. While there is an easy comparison that…

Posted on: May 16, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 4

Four Loko Loko Margarita Review

I have had some major time spent with the heavy-ABV 24 ounce cans. Whether it was Steel Reserve or Camo Black Ice, there was much value to be had with one of these big boys. Four Loko has provided individuals with a heavy amount of alcohol and an ample amount of flavor to hide the alcohol bite. Phusion Projects, the company behind Four Loko, has created “Loko Margarita”. This means…

Posted on: May 13, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 1

Dewar’s Highlander Honey Review

Highlander Honey is a new addition to the Dewar’s line, and it provides imbibers with a considerably different flavor than has been present in Dewar’s bottles up to this point. There is a greater sweetness to Highlander Honey that matches well the inimitable Dewar’s bite; the Dewar’s White Label is mixed with honey created from honeybees in the Scottish heather. By keeping the proof high, what Dewar’s has done with…

Posted on: May 8, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Boulevard 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat Beer Review

  80-Acre is a beer that will be at home in countless bars across the United States, but has a decidedly more complex mouth feel than anything that would be on tap. The intersection of biting hops and more smooth wheat notes create a complex flavor that will showcase distinct elements with each subsequent sip. A pour yields a fairly thick head along with a slight bit of carbonation; the…

Posted on: May 5, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 1

Svedka Colada Vodka Review

  The world of flavored vodka ensures that there will be a considerable amount of new efforts that are added to store shelves every year. Svedka is a company that has been able to add to the dialogue considerably, and their Colada Vodka (coconut / pineapple) is something special. The flavor is natural without being too faint, while having an assertive enough profile to hide the vodka burn.  Svedka Colada…

Posted on: May 3, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 2

Bacardi Pineapple Fusion Review

  Bacardi Pineapple Fusion is a much-needed addition to flavored rums. While the traditional favorite has been coconut rum, the pineapple twist that Bacardi has entered into the marketplace is stellar. The spirit will modify considerably any normal mixed drink utilizing rum, while there is enough of a body and unique flavor to the Pineapple Fusion that it tastes great in the rocks or sipped neatly. The pineapple that is…

Posted on: April 30, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Pow-Wow Botanical Rye Whiskey Review

Pow-Wow Botanical Rye Whiskey has one of the most eclectic sets of flavors that we have ever experienced in whiskey. The rye whiskey format always has more nuance than a comparable barley or corn whiskey. The inclusion of botanicals (including Orange Peel and Saffron) to Pow-Wow ensures that no two tastes will be exactly the same.  While we had sips that were more fruit-lead, others yielded something much more sweet…

Posted on: April 11, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

3Beans Beer Review

  3Beans is a strong porter that Sixpoint has released, and it is perhaps one of the most complex beers that we have had the chance to review. Each can of 3Beans represents a unification of disparate elements, beginning with the inclusion of Romano beans. These beans continue much to the vastness of the beer, and are united with cacao beans sited from Mast Brothers Chocolate. 3Beans is made complete…

Posted on: April 11, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Steam Engine Stout Review

This is one heavy beer. Our introduction to the beers of the Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company is a 6.4% ABV stout which pours incredibly dark. With each initial sip, a distinctive dark malt flavor touches upon coffee, chocolate, and the bitterness of chicory.  The mouthfeel of the Steam Engine Stout quickly dissipates, allowing for a refreshed taste with every sip. For every hint of bite or bitterness, there is a…

Posted on: April 9, 2013 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager Beer Review

Strawberry Harvest is the latest effort by Abita Brewing Company, and it has dropped down at the perfect time. As the weather continues to become warmer, this lager will be perfect for any party or get-together. What I personally like about the Strawberry Harvest is the nuanced flavor that it has. While there is a smoothness to the beer, the effervescence present makes for a crisp and refreshing experience. A…