Absolut has released its newest flavored vodka, mango. Why mango? It’s one of the most popular fruits in the world and grown in nearly every tropical region, and they are tasty. According to Matthias Aeppli, Vice President Marketing, V&S Absolut Spirits, “The mango is quite unique. It is a year-round source of natural sweetness, and it has a juiciness and aroma beyond all comparison. Personally, I love to mix mango with chili or pineapple.”

To … Read more

Firefly Distillery in South Carolina has managed to stand out in the crowded world of flavored vodkas with a uniquely Southern take on vodka.

Its Sweet Tea and Muscadine Wine flavored vodkas are “sippin’ vodkas” that also work well for simple cocktails like a vodka tonic.

This month marks the first time the company can distribute its product to all 50 states, so now it will be easier to find!

Here’s a Firefly concoction I … Read more

Booker’s Bourbon is serious bourbon for serious bourbon lovers. It is “uncut, unfiltered, straight-from-the-barrel” bourbon — over 120 proof. So you don’t just pour it into a glass and gulp it down. …Read More

Hail the “holy trinity”! Last week I had the pleasure to meet the faces behind Le Tourment Vert (www.letourmentvert.com) and experience their vision of what this wonderful spirit offers after such a long hiatus from our shores. This Absinthe is handcrafted in small batches by Bruno Delannoy of Vinet Ege and combines fourteen herbs to create a truly inspirational blend. Moving beyond the ritualistic, yet fun, Classic and Bohemian Method of enjoying Absinthe, Le Tourment … Read more

One of my favorite things about bourbon: It is possible to find great bourbon at nearly every price point. And while there definitely are $400 bottles of bourbon out there that will knock your socks off, it’s possible to find something impressive that fits a normal person’s budget. Here are picks in a few price ranges:

Under $25

Old Grand-Dad Bourbon, 100 proof

Wine Enthusiast praised this bourbon’s “buttery feel on the palate” and “tangy … Read more

My holiday picks for scotch are not for the faint of heart. While they are very different from each other, they both are cask strength and neither is chill filtered. They are, well, strong. But hey, if you’re going to drink a scotch, why not go for it. These are great to serve at an intimate holiday gathering or to give as a gift to a real scotch lover. Both picks will run you about … Read more

Why give a boring bottle of wine this year, with so many great spirits out there go crazy. We’ve assembled a variety of fine Tequila for easy gift giving.

Perfect for sipping and savoring, Cabo Uno Tequila will last beyond the holiday party and throughout the holiday season, to be cherished and enjoyed for years to come. Acknowledged as one of the finest 100% blue agave tequilas in the world, Cabo Uno is aged in … Read more

Brown Forman released Woodford Reserve 1838 Sweet Mash Whiskey.

The significance of this is that the process used to make this new bourbon hasn’t been used commercially since before Prohibition. The bourbon we all know and love is “sour mash.”

In very basic terms, “mash” is the mixture of fermented grain and water used in making bourbon.

The sour-mash method involves holding back mash from one fermentation to use it in the next batch to … Read more

At around $20 a bottle, 1.0.1 Vodka is a good deal considering the high quality of the spirit. This grain vodka has a strong nose and soft, smooth mouthfeel.

The flavor is smooth, but with a bit more bite than most other American-made vodkas. But this is a good thing. The hint of spice makes it a good candidate for a great vodka and tonic.

If you’re a Ketel One drinker, 1.0.1 could be the … Read more

Beam just introduced (ri)¹ in the midst of rye whiskey’s comeback from more than 70 years in the shadows.

In the 19th and early 20th century, rye was the go-to liquor. Many traditional cocktails–like the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned–originated as rye cocktails.

But after Prohibition ended in 1933, American distillers turned all their attention to bourbon.

No one knows for sure why, but it could be because corn was cheaper than rye. It … Read more