Speakeasy Reviews

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old 107 proof is one of the most intense wheated whiskeys I have ever had, it's a powerhouse. Pound for pound the strongest in Van Winkle's lineup, but without the complexity, subtlety and poise of it's older siblings. More raw strength than Wild Turkey's Rare Breed, but without Rare Breed's complexity. This bourbon runs around $34. Nose: Hard caramel candy, toffee, spicy oak, caramelized nuts, dried molasses and dried summer fruits. Palate: Brown...

Black Maple Hill 16 is one of my favorite bourbons. It's tremendously rich and considering it's small batch, single barrel, 95 proof and 16 years old, very fairly priced at $62 a bottle. Simple elegant packaging with a rustic black label and black wax on the cap. Nose: Undeniably rich. Wood, earth, plantlife, some citrus and herbs, primarily mint. There are also traces of leather, oriental spices, honey, and molasses. Rustic, rugged and complex, the aroma takes me to a cabin in the...

Talisker is primarily known for their 10 year old and 25 year old malts. But the 18 is a forgotten gem. I looked for this one for over a year before I finally tracked down a bottle and I glad I did. Talisker hails from the Isle of Skye and was a favorite of Robert Louis Stevenson. The 18 yo is also used in Johnnie Walker Gold. The 18 year is 91.6 proof and runs from around $50-$55. Nose: Sea Spray, black pepper, lemons, fruit candy, nuts, oak driftwood and mild smoke...

Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Blend of Six, Eight and Twelve Year Old Batches, Bottled at Barrel Proof, 108.4 proof. Runs around $35. Nose: Oak, Dates, Mild Citrus, Leather. A walk on a path in rural Kentucky with an Orange Grove in the distance. Palate: A very intense whiskey, possible the most powerful in Wild Turkey's lineup, definately the strongest in it's weight class. Oranges, Toffee, sweet nuts and dates, all combined on a layer of light maple syrup, mint and honey, followed...

Easily the best coffee I have ever consumed. Even after the fortunate opportunity to have had a job that afforded me numerous trips to Europe, with stays at five star hotels, as well as similar stays in the U.S. I have already recommended this coffee to everyone student at my medical school, as well as the faculty and am currently trying to convince the Aveda Salon I go to (a highly ranked "Aveda-preferred" one), to replace their Maxwell House packets (they honestly admitted this) with this...

This is a great little glass even if it does look a little funny. I've drank Scotch out of a variety of glassware and this is by far my favorite. I've used shot glasses, tumblers, wine glasses, cognac glasses, small snifters, large snifters, and wine glasses. This is what works best for Scotch, IMO. This glass is from the Riedel Vinum Collection, which are machine made crystal glassware, but still made with 24% lead crystal. A great glass and a big savings over hand crafted crystal...

Besides the unavailable White Horse Lagavulin 16, this is my favorite Islay. But this one is available, so I'll take it! The price is the lowest point of this whisky, it runs around $75 up to $85 in my area and 108.4 proof. But you are getting something special. The Quality is superb. It is a vatting of three different Ardbegs, one being around 8-10 years a second 10-12 years and third admittedly "much older" aged in Sherry casks. The "much older" age is not formally specified by I...

Laphroaig 10 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 86 proof, is a very fine whisky with a great history. It's very well known for it's classic smoky Islay character complete with iodine and sea salt. Laphroaig is the most medicinal of the Single Malts. Legend has it, it was able to be sold during prohibition at pharmacies due to the strength of medicinal character. While often described as an acquired taste due to it's uniqueness and incredibly strength of flavor, many find they enjoy it...

This really is a good bourbon, it's actually one of my favorites of the Evan Williams line and a bottle can easily be found for $10, it is well worth it and more. This price cannot be beat, it is the least expensive bourbon I own and one I reach for quite often. This bottling is aged 10 years in new oak barrels and is 86 proof. In terms of value, this product is outstanding. It can hold it's own with bottles 3 times its price. The 1783 has a very rye heavy mashbill and all the...

If you want to get into Single Malts, this is where to begin. Glenlivet 12 is quite possibly the best value in Single Malts. It's available everywhere from drug stores to Sam's Club to the finest liquor stores. It runs between $25 and $35 depending on your region. It mixes well, goes great on the rocks and is always enjoyable neat, my favorite way. The quality is definately high, while not the highest, it is very good and from bottling to bottling they have put out a consistently...

This is the review for the American release of Wild Turkey Tribute, aged 15 years and 101 proof, 5500 bottles created. The Price is definitely the low point of this product. It was $90 when first released, but now as it is very hard to find the price has risen over $100. But if you can find a bottle, I compare to the new B&B brush if can afford it, it will definitely be worth the cost and when it's gone, it's gone. The Quality is impeccable. I have been fortunate enough to taste...

This is the third review I have posted today on the coffees from Ristretto Roasters. Get the idea - I like the stuff.... :rolleyes: I have to say, sometimes the descriptions of things, especially wine, confuse the heck out of me. I don't know where the tasters come up with some of the things they say. With regard to the Ethiopia Harrar, the comment has to do with a distinct blueberry note. Well, maybe my palate is not as refined, but I have no idea where this comes from. I detect no...

Back in the day I drank a lot of coffee. Then for a period measured in years I drank nothing but tea. After all the great reviews of our very own Dinder1's coffee from Ristretto Roasters, I have now become a coffee convert again. I received a number of coffees, and to be honest, the Mexican Chiapas was the one I had the least expectations of. I was always a fan of Ethiopian coffees, and I never thought much about Mexico. Well, I stand corrected. This is one great coffee. It has a perfect...

I have gotten a number of coffees from our friends at Ristretto Roasters, and they are all universally excellent. The sumatra is perhaps my least favorite of the bunch, though it is still head and shoulders above most other offerings out there. Sumatra is a deep, dark, brooding coffee. It reminds me of rich earth with a bit of spice and chocolate. Its acidity is on the low side, so it lacks some of the brightness of other varietals. It is mouth-filling and rich with a long, long finish. I...

I have been drinking Gin for many years, but untill I found Hendrick's it was always mixed with something. My wife would turn ill at the smell, and no one I know wanted to drink "Pine-Sol" cocktails. That ALL changed after I introduced this to my friends. It has a totally different (flowery, but not in a bad way) taste. The makers recommend drinking it with a slice of cucumber, not lime. Do yourself a favor and grab some. The one comment I have to say is that it does make for an...