Given as a Christmas gift, it’s always enjoyable to try out a new single malt that you’ve simply never had before. What we get is something that clearly has some faults, but brings such a nice warm and well-spiced flavor that placed in a glass neat makes this a damn fine gift.
Hop Sounds Dry-Hopped Kolsch: 7.5 – There’s a very unique sort of sweetness going on there that comes back in the long aftertaste. The fruit here is very nice, and it’s a very nice kolsch that does a lot of very nice things.
Price Average: $12 for 6-pack
Website: https://singlecut.com/
Maybe it’s seasonal depression given this review is happening mid-Jan, but this vodka just evokes a mindset that makes you sort of want to hate it. It’s got this naming and imagery that seems more at place on a rum, and yet we can’t deny – it’s actually an all around above average vodka.
Petal Prophecy Honey IPA: 7.0 – This site tends to shy away from IPAs (unless you are River Styx brewing), but we still try IPAs despite our bias, and review the ones we like – this is one of those. While there ideally would be just a touch more honey or spice to make this an amazing beer – it’s an IPA worth talking about.
Price Average: $13 for 4-pack cans
Website: http://burlingtonbeercompany.com/
Maple Breakfast Stout: 6.0 – While it might not be something you’d actually drink for breakfast it does carry that marriage of coffee and maple flavors well. The sweetness of the maple thankfully helps balance it, but the effect is a bit odd compared to other coffee beers.
Price Average: $3
Website: https://www.14thstarbrewing.com/
2020, well it’s certainly a new year despite the same old problems going on – a microcosm of this tequila if we’re honest. No part of this is truly terrible (well the price is for what you’re getting) but it is overall just – fine. The same beats told again of not having anything spectacular, burn a little too much, and then to compound the sin – basic ass mixers.
Trois Dames Winter Sour: 6.5 – The ginger and orange is certainly a factor in there, but there is so much tart sour and bitterness. A winter beer should be toasty and inviting, or conversely invigorating – this is an attack dog to your face. Sure there is a bit of spice as well here – which one could use to pass it off as a winter beer, but really this is just too powerful and in multiple ways isn’t pleasant.
Price Average: $7 draft
Website: https://www.sheltonbrothers.com
Imperial isn’t exactly the best word to use in this situation being such a common term for high proof beer. Add that to the vague branding and Sazerac being explicit and this is essentially just some off-brand scotch. This is the moment we’d love dearly to tell you it’s akin to an Ezra Brooks story, but it’s not. This isn’t good.
