Tag Archives: New and Noteworthy

New and Fairly Noteworthy

Our Stories / March 28, 2013 / No Comments.

picstitchNewcomers Zipz have launched their ready to drink, single serve wine glasses that you can bring anywhere you want (remind you of anything? Stacked Wine, perhaps…) The wine comes in a plastic goblet that you just unzip, pop the top off and start drinking. The on the go wine will debut next month in Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. A 4 pack will be $14 or a single for $4. For that price, we’d rather buy a semi-nice bottle of wine and enjoy it in a real glass. But that’s just us.

 

It’s that time of year again. When the bourbon gods smile on us and bring a new Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon from Evan Williams. This year’s vintage, the 18th in the Evan Williams Single Barrel series, has been aging since 2003. The 86.6 proof whiskey is now available nationwide. Do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle.

 

Dewar’s shocked us this week when they announced their Dewar’s Highlander Honey. The scotch is infused with Scottish honey to create a sweeter version of classic Dewar’s. At 40% ABV, Highlander Honey will be on shelves in April. We love scotch but hold the honey, please.

 

Flavored whiskeys are everywhere recently.. We’re usually opposed, but this one’s intriguing us. Georgetown Trading Co. unveiled their Pow-Wow Botanical Rye Whiskey this week. It’s infused and aged with saffron, orange peel and whole botanicals creating a unique flavor. The 90 proof whiskey is only available in select states but look for it to hit shelves everywhere in the coming months. We might have to try this one.

New & Fairly Noteworthy

Our Stories / November 15, 2012 / 1 Comment.

Will Ferrell has decided to raise money for Cancer for College this holiday season. How is he going to do it, you ask? The plan is to travel around North Park, San Diego on Saturday December 15th and stop at various bars and brewing companies. The guests on this bus trip (who will all be wearing red jumpsuits) have paid between $400 and $500 to take part. The officially titled “Will Powered Cancer For College Holiday Craft Beer Bus And Jumpsuit Jubilee” is unfortunately sold out, but we love the cause and the idea.
Any one who has ever had an advent calendar has enjoyed indulging in a piece of chocolate each day. This year, Drinks by the Dram is replacing the chocolate with whiskey. You read right, whiskey. Under every number is a sample of a different 50-year old scotch. Leave the chocolate for the kids because we can’t think of a better way to count down the 24 days until Christmas.

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is taking part in the making of a new beer, appropriately named Penguin Hops. The aquarium planted hops in their gardens to help make the gardens more visually pleasing. Now Revolution Brewing is harvesting them to make this local craft brew. As of November 28th this beer will be available at both of Revolution’s locations. If you happen to be in Chicago after you visit the penguins, give the beer a try and let us know how it tastes.

DeLeón Tequila has announced their newest creation, Leóna. The spirit that they claim is their “game changer” is presented in its own limited edition black box that includes a python flask. Leóna, which DeLeón describes as “the epitome of senses, edge, rock, sex, luxe… everything DeLeón” will be available on 12.21.12 (the same day that the Mayan calendar says is the end of the world). We are excited to find out if the proclaimed “purest tequila” on record lives up to its high standards. We sure hope so.

 

Photo

New & Fairly Noteworthy

Our Stories / October 25, 2012 / 1 Comment.

At gelateria Dolcezza in D.C. you can treat yourself to a cup of gin gelato. Yes, gin gelato. They have combined Persian cucumbers, lime, salt, sugar and gin (from D.C’s first craft distillery, New Columbia Distillers) into what should prove to be a very original flavor. It is certainly an interesting combination but we aren’t sure when the craving would strike. If you have the chance to try it – let us know what you think.

H2V wants to make your hangover more tolerable with their new Happy Hour Vitamins, and we say thank you. They claim that by popping a couple of these antioxidant-filled vitamins you will enhance liver function and aid in your alcohol detox. We aren’t sure if we believe these pills work but their tag line “It’s 5 pm somewhere, also 9 am somewhere else” sure makes us want to find out.

We think it’s awesome when brands give regular people the chance to talk to them – and Stone Brewing Co. did something even better. They invited the grand prize winner of the Chicago homebrew competition to brew their beer on Stone’s 120-barrel system and then sell their concoction. What won? Two Brothers Brewing Company’s Coffee IPA. Brewed beer and brewed coffee? Obviously we can’t wait to try it.

Think the Irish Whiskey category has given us all its got to offer? You’d be wrong. Teeling Whiskey Company is changing the game, by blending two whiskeys, and aging them together (for eight years). Blended wine varietals are old news, and vodka blended with sparkling wine has been buzzing for a while, but this has got us curious. And from what we’ve heard, they’re far from done experimenting.

Smirnoff has two new flavors joining their line of confectionary vodkas, Iced Cake and Kissed Caramel. They are conveniently launching these self-proclaimed celebration spirits right in time for the holidays. We’ll definitely try them, cause we actually really like the Whipped and Marshmallow flavors they’ve already got (as long as we’re looking for something crazy sweet).

 

Photo

New & Fairly Noteworthy

Our Stories / May 24, 2012 / No Comments.

The Boston Beer Co. is rolling out a limited-edition Samuel Adams brew — Porch Rocker — in time for summer. Available from May to July, Porch Rocker (4.4%-abv) is a variation of a Bavarian-style Radler beer — a lager with a hint of lemon — and is priced at $7.99 a six-pack.

 

Colonel E. H. Taylor Jr. Barrel Proof Bourbon, an uncut, unfiltered rye-recipe Bourbon that’s at 134.5-proof and is aged seven years is set to launch. Rolling out in June, it’s the fourth product in the E. H. Taylor Jr. Bourbon Collection, joining Old Fashioned Sour Mash Bourbon, Single Barrel Bourbon and Warehouse C. Tornado Surviving Bourbon. Like the previous three releases, Barrel Proof Bourbon will have limited availability and will be packaged in a vintage label and canister. Suggested retail price is $69.99 a 750-ml.

 

Moët Hennessy’s vodka brand launched its latest flavor extension last month, Belvedere Lemon Tea. Distilled with black and green teas, ginger, chamomile, lemongrass, honey and lemon, the new super-premium offering is priced at $29.99 a 750-ml. Lemon Tea joins Belvedere’s core label, as well as a flavor portfolio that features Citrus, Orange, Black Raspberry, Pink Grapefruit and Bloody Mary expressions.

 

Offbeat Brands, the company formed earlier this spring by industry veteran Mike Kenton, has unveiled its first brand launch, Jellybean Wines. Priced at $12.99 a bottle, Jellybean’s initial offerings include a Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from California, a Moscato and Moscato Rosé from Italy and a red blend from Spain. A sparkling wine from Spain is set to roll out this summer. Characterized as an “approachable, fruit-forward style” and packaged in bold, colorful bottles, Jellybean Wines are designed to appeal to Millennial and Generation X consumers.

 

photo

New & Noteworthy

Our Stories / May 18, 2012 / No Comments.

If you have a column on your grocery list for beverages, here are three new ones you might want to check out:

 

Trinchero Family Estates is rolling out a new luxury wine brand, Shatter, in collaboration with winemakers Joel Gott (of Joel Gott Wines) and Dave Phinney (of Orin Swift Wines). Sourced from Roussillon, France’s Maury region, the Shatter name refers to the “extreme viticultural conditions” in Maury, which is known for producing sweet wines in a terroir frequently ravaged by high winds. The first Shatter wine is a 2010 Grenache.

 

Also new to major U.S. markets this spring is Mickey Finn Irish Apple Flavored Whiskey. A blend of Irish and American whiskies infused with natural apple flavors, Mickey Finn Irish Apple is priced at $24.99 a 750-ml. The 70-proof rides the flavored whiskies wave, which rose 154.8% the first quarter of this year. An unflavored Mickey Finn Irish whiskey will follow, the company tells Shanken News Daily.

 

Famed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and his brother, Alberto, have launched two new labels: Bocelli Prosecco and Bocelli Sangiovese (both $19.99). They’re now available in New York, Texas, Illinois, Washington and Oregon and will go national by September. The duo join Bocelli In Canto (Cabernet Sauvignon), Alcide (Cabernet and Sangiovese blend) and Terre di Sando (Sangiovese).

 

photo

New and Noteworthy

Our Stories / April 17, 2012 / 2 Comments.

At DIA, we like to restock our bar regularly. But with so many choices, it’s hard to  decide on just one new beverage a week. Here are the three we’re contemplating. Eeny, meeny, miny…

 

Diageo introduces Smirnoff Ice Black. Available in Lemon Lime, Fruit Punch and Watermelon expressions, Smirnoff Ice Black malt beverages contain a higher abv (8%) than regular old Smirnoff Ice, and are targeted basically to men who are tired of drinking beer all the time. Look for the black can in 16-ounce and 23.5-ouncers nationwide for $1.69 and $2.69, respectively.

 

Anchor Distilling launches Pink Pigeon ($34.99 a 750-ml.), made from molasses and blended with handpicked vanilla from Madagascar and the Reunion Islands. The brand is named for the rare and endangered Pink Pigeon found off the coast of Africa. Currently available in California, Arizona, Florida and Nevada, Pink Pigeon will extend into additional markets in the coming months.

 

Boston Beer Co.’s Angry Orchard hard cider enters nationwide distribution this month after a successful run in test markets. The product was released last year in New England, Colorado, Maryland and New York. It’s available in three different varieties — Crisp Apple, Apple Ginger and Traditional Dry — priced at $8.99 for a six-pack, as well as on draft in restaurants and bars.

 

photo