Review: Shady Vodka Recount 2020
Shady Vodka Recount 2020 is a limited edition spirit designed to pay tribute to Florida’s history of close elections. It is made from 100% corn and is small batch distilled six times prior to a seventh distillation in a 1000 liter, 264 gallon Dragon double copper pot still with a pot head, 4 plate column and 11 plate side column. A 10 time proprietary filtration process follows prior to bottling. Recount 2020 was released 2 weeks after the launch of Shady Vodka and the opening of Shady Distillery. Each vodka is prepared the same, Recount 2020 is bottled at 81 proof instead of 80. The Shady Distillery is located in the Historic Sistrunk District of Fort Lauderdale, and the 20,000 square foot distillery is located in the Sistrunk Marketplace. Both are named in honor of pioneering black Physician Dr. James Franklin Sistrunk the founder of Provident Hospital, Broward Counties first black hospital. Master Distiller Jonny VerPlanck has also crafted 12 Mile White Rum. The 12 Mile name pays tribute to the edge of International waters during prohibition where rum runners met to transfer booze made in the Bahamas for delivery to Florida’s Southern coast. 12 Mile Dark rum is currently barrel aging and several more 12 Mile branded rums will follow. Read more 
Review: Espanita Blanco Tequila
Espanita Blanco Tequila is crafted at Inpulsora Rombo in Jalisco Mexico from 100% Blue Agave, estate grown at high elevations in the Jalisco Highlands. This distillery also makes the Arrogante, and Tecnico brands. Marina Wilson President and Founder of Espanita named Pitbull, Strategic Adviser and Global Brand Ambassador. Mr. Worldwide has an equity position in the company. Once trimmed the harvested agaves are baked in traditional stone ovens for 72 hours. The extracted juice is naturally fermented with a proprietary strain of yeast for 5-7 days, and double distilled in small batches using Alembic pot stills. The tequila is bottled fresh from the still. Read more
Review: Connellys Pumpkin Spice Country Cream
Connellys Pumpkin Spice Country Cream is a seasonal country cream sold at the over 2000 Aldi Stores located in 36 states throughout the US. It is produced for them by First Ireland Spirits in Co. Laois Ireland. Pumpkin Spice is one of at least five flavor varieties they currently offer on a year round or seasonal basis. Country Cream is made with a grape wine and neutral spirit alcohol base. Irish Cream is crafted with Irish Whiskey and a neutral spirit base. Fall is far and away the peak season for cream liqueur sales so it is no surprise Connellys is one of several cream liqueur producers who offer a pumpkin spice flavor. Connellys Pumpkin Spice weighs in at 13.9% alcohol. Read more
Review: Two Robbers Craft Hard Seltzer
Two Robbers Craft Hard Seltzer was launched March 2019 by twin brothers Vikram and Vivek Nayar. They started creating their hard seltzer in the 50 square foot backyard of their Rittenhouse Apartment in Philadelphia. After months of testing they had their recipes. Then their house was broken into and robbed. Weeks later they were robbed again. A year later they launched Rittenhouse Seltzer Company and Two Robbers Craft Hard Seltzer. It is made from sparkling water, alcohol from cold fermented cane sugar, and natural flavors. Each can weighs in with 5.2% alcohol, 110 calories, 0 sugar, and 2 carbs. Two Robbers is available in four flavor varieties, Peach Berry, Pineapple Ginger, Orange Mango, and Watermelon Cucumber. The 12 can variety pack I’m reviewing today does not contain Watermelon Cucumber. Read more
Review: E11EVEN Vodka
E11EVEN Vodka was launched in October by CEO Nikki Simkins. The E11EVEN brand is a lifestyle. Created as a 24/7 Ultra Club in Downtown Miami in 2014, E11EVEN Miami is the worlds highest grossing nightclub per square foot. Hundreds of taste tests were completed before selecting a vodka deserving the E11EVEN name. E11EVEN Vodka is crafted in Miami from 100% Florida grown NON-GMO corn. It is 6 times distilled in copper stills. A proprietary 7 step filtration follows, before hand bottled. Since launch E11EVEN has out sold the second most popular vodka at E11EVEN Miami by a 4 to 1 margin. Read more
Review: Bud Light Seltzer Ugly Sweater Pack
Bud Light Seltzer Ugly Sweater Pack, like the Christmas displays at you local Costco or favorite retailer, started arriving on shelves around Halloween. In some cases the Bud Light Seltzer Ugly Sweater 12 packs replaced Octoberfest and Pumpkin flavored beers that started arriving in July. Ugly Sweater contains three cans each of Apple Crisp, Ginger Snap, Peppermint Pattie, and the previously released Cranberry. While Anheuser Busch still has a ways to go before catching White Claw or Truly in hard seltzer sales, Bud Light Seltzer is already a strong third place in sales. Since launching the brand with a $100 million investment in January, Bud Light has dropped ten flavors on a hard seltzer thirsty market. Each variety is made from a cold fermented cane sugar, natural flavor, and unlike other hard seltzers malted rice. Like the other Bud Light Seltzers each flavor hits the scale with 100 calories, 5% alcohol, 2 carbs and, 1 gram of sugar. Read more
Review: The Dublin Liberties Oak Devil Irish Whiskey
The Dublin Liberties Oak Devil Irish Whiskey is one of four new Irish whiskeys Quintessential Brands recently released in the US. With names like Oak Devil, Copper Alley, Murder Lane, and Keepers Coin these whiskeys pay tribute to the Liberties, an area in Central Dublin with a history of whiskey distilling, The Guinness Brewery, tanneries, and textile mills. Dublin Liberties Distillery opened its doors March 2019 in a 400 year old former mill and tannery on Mill street. Built at a cost of over $11 million this distillery is only producing triple distilled malt whiskey. Master Distiller Darryl McNally is blending sourced Irish whiskeys while his own crafted whiskey matures in barrels. Oak Devil is a 5 year old blended whiskey made from 30% malt and 70% grain. It is aged for five years in ex-bourbon barrels and non chill filtered before bottling at 92 proof. Oak Devil had previously been released as a 3 year old expression. Oak Devil is named for a carved OAK DEVIL that in the 1700’s stood over the entrance to the Dublin Liberties inciting Mayhem and Damnation within the riotous quarter know as Hell. Read more
Review: Connellys Strawberry Country Cream
Connellys Strawberry Country Cream is sold at Aldi Stores throughout the US. It has replaced O’Donnells as their store brand of Irish Country Cream liqueur. Country Cream is basically Irish Cream made with grape wine instead of Irish whiskey. This is more than just a change of name as O’Donnells was made by R.A. Merry Co. Connellys is produced by First Ireland Spirits Co. First Ireland produces several brands of Irish Cream and Country Cream including Feeneys Irish Cream and O’Mara’s Country Cream. While Connellys does not have a web address or a Facebook account it is imported by Mack & Schuhle and on their webpage it shows an image of eight Connellys Country Cream flavors including Strawberry, Blueberry, Cappuccino, Caramel, Chocolate Orange, Pumpkin Spice, Salted Caramel, and Mint Chocolate. While I have only seen Connellys Original, Strawberry, Pumpkin Spice, and Caramel Country Cream at Aldi stores I’m told Blueberry made a brief appearance. Maybe the others will arrive next year. Read more
Review: Whitewater Craft Hard Seltzer
Whitewater Craft Hard Seltzer was released March 2020. It is made by Great Divide Brewing Company in Denver Colorado. Brian Dunn began brewing beer commercially in 1994. As the only full time employee at Great Divide Brian brewed, bottled, and sold his beer. He continued adding beer styles and brewing capacity and in 2001 he purchased a building that used to be an old dairy processing plant. Today Great Divine Brewing Company is located in the RiNo Neighborhood of Denver where they craft 13 year round and a dozen more seasonal and specialty beers along with Whitewater Craft Hard Seltzer. After several taste panels and dozens of in-house ingredient combinations they selected Ruby Red Grapefruit, Wild Berry, Mango Ginger, and Pomegranate Lime as the four flavors they would launch Whitewater Craft Hard Seltzer with. It is made from a cane sugar alcohol base with natural flavors. Each can weighs in with 5% alcohol, 110 calories, 2 Carbs and 0 Sugar. Read more
Review: Willies Superbrew Pear & Cinnamon
Willies Superbrew Pear & Cinnamon is one of two seasonal hard seltzers currently on the market. It is available from November-February. Braxton Brewing Company was the first with their September release of Vive Pumpkin Spice Hard Seltzer. Willies currently crafts five year round flavors including Ginger & Lemon, Mango & Passionfruit, Pomegranate & Acai, Pineapple & Lime, and Blueberry & Lemon. Willies Superbrew Pear & Cinnamon is made from water, a cane sugar alcohol base, pear juice concentrate, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Read more