Barley
Fiorano (Boncompagni Ludovisi)
Principe di Venosa Vino da Tavola White Blend 1992
Look at that color. Color of mushroom stock. And some of the smell and flavor. Also, barley tea and walnuts. Super oxidized. But surprisingly fresh on the palate, with bright acid. Sherried, long finish. Like three minutes of sherry-like finish. This is an oddball but delicious. One of three bottles I have in the cellar and one of the others is clearly not oxidized (actually looks like white wine) so I didn’t have high expectation for this bottle but it turned out to be tasty and enjoyable if you like this sort of thing. Don’t wait any longer though! — 5 years ago
Château d'Yquem
Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
The 1988 d'Yquem is almost identical to the bottle I tasted in 2016. This is almost Barsac-like in style on the nose with scents of barley sugar, complemented by marmalade and mandarin, fresh and vibrant with a palpable sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous texture but it is not, and has never been, as unctuous as either the 1989 or 1990. However, what the 1988 does possess is a surfeit of vitality and tension. There are layers of blood orange, quince and marmalade towards the finish that as the aromatics suggest, comes across as quite Barsac in style. Superb. Tasted at Château Batailley. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2018) — 7 years ago
Brauerei Heller Bamberg
Aecht Echlenferla Rauchbier Marzen
This was enjoyable. Smokey aroma, and then a nicely balanced dark beer with a smokey flavour created through the malted barley being kilned over a fire of beechwood logs.
This is, as the brewery says, a traditional German approach to brewing beer, but for all my years living in Germany I had not had a Rauchbier. More needed please bartender... — 3 years ago
Wilderness Trail
Bottled In Bond Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finally...a small batch artisanal bourbon producer in Kentucky that hasn’t sold out or taken the easy road to market (like sourcing from MGP). Wheated, bonded, and improved thru modern science. Better than Pappy for 1/10th the cost. — 7 years ago
Lapis Luna
North Coast Red Wine Blend
Good. Dark. Strong. Velvety. Smokey. Quick reaction time. Warm. Wind down wine — 3 years ago
Dogfish Head Brewery
Olde School Barley Wine
Whoah ! Aged several years this is like a mellow tawny port. Raisins, prune, toffee, and tobacco. Put some of these away in your cellar and forget about them. — 7 years ago
Sean Lyons
A really fantastic summer scotch with notes flowers, grass, yeast, and freshly picked grains. It really jumps out of the glass with a freshness and vibrancy you’d expect more from a champagne or beer. Not super deep or rich, but that’s what makes it refreshing. Good deal too. — a year ago