Zaya Gran Reserva rum is a particularly useful spirit for two reasons: first, it is a nicely balanced rum that delivers cocoa and allspice alongside the traditional vanilla; and second, it is a masterclass in how to avoid deceptive rum labels. Among all of the major spirits, rums can have some of the most misleading labels when it comes to age statements. Take, for example, Scotch whisky—when a Scotch has an age statement, like Laphroig 10, that means that the youngest whisky

If you have not done so already, go back and read our notes on the Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition for a quick run-down of the Jameson/Franciscan Well partnership that has birthed the Caskmates line. If you are up to speed, then let us proceed with an entirely different kind of critter: the IPA Edition. To start, the nose on this edition is a bit of a stunner—it packs some bright and zesty evergreen notes that dominate for a while before some of the smoother citrus and carame

If you are already familiar with Fernet-Branca, then you need not read further. If you either have not heard of it, or if you have heard but have never tasted it, then prepare yourself: fernets (which is a type of spirit) are, shall we say, an acquired taste but one well worth acquiring. Fernet-Branca is perhaps one of the best hidden-in-plain-sight secrets of the spirits world—just ask any bartender worth their rimming salt. Let’s start with the basics: a fernet is an intens

One of the advantages of our booming whiskey market is that we are seeing some unique concoctions come to market that would have been unthinkable years ago. One of these curious new creations is Straight Edge Bourbon from the non-distilling producer Splinter Group in California. Splinter Group is the brainchild of the Wilkinson Family Vineyards John Wilkinson and one of the California wine world’s most recognizable names: Dave Phinney of Orin Swift. While we cannot tell exact

Most people’s first experience with tequila starts out with the big brand names like Jose Cuervo or Sauza, but they are hardly representative of the vast array of traditional tequilas on the market today. As a pro tip, when looking for a new tequila check the label to see if it says “100% blue agave” rather than just “made with blue agave.” If you see “made with blue agave,” that is what is called a mixto—a tequila on a technicality. While the only agave a tequila can use is