DrinkedIn Trends

One of the pioneers of ready-to-drink cocktails is Fishers Island Lemonade, launched by Bronya Shillo in 2014 based off the popular signature cocktail served up at the Pequot Inn (based in Fishers Island), which was owned by her family. This year they have added 3 new flavors and a frozen version of their lemonade.

Their motto is “find your island.” So let’s see where we land as we chart our course through their full line.

Fishers Island Lemonade (“FIL”) – Fishers’ original cocktail is made of premium vodka, barrel-aged whiskey, lemon, and honey. This is the benchmark for any drink that promises you “summer in a can.” Straight out of the can, it is refreshing and crisp. Pour it over some ice and a garnish for fun, and you would not believe that there is not a bartender hiding around the corner that is squeezing lemons and jauntily shaking this up on the spot for you. There is no imbalance in any of the ingredients that you may find in other versions; the alcohol sits just right — and I cannot emphasize just how fresh and clean the lemonade tastes. 7% abv. A / $17 per 4-pack of 355ml cans [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

Fishers Island Pink Flamingo – Here they’ve added fresh cranberry to the signature FIL, giving it a sunset pink hew. If the FIL is perfectly balanced and evokes sun-kissed bliss, this one will send you into island nirvana. The hint of cranberry actually brings out a zesty grapefruit flavor, complete with a welcoming hint of grapefruit rind to make your tongue dance. Be warned: There is not a trace of alcohol here. None. It would be tempting to sip on this all day long. At 7% abv though, it would be good to muster up some discipline, as challenging as it will be. A+/ $17 per 4-pack of 355ml cans [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

The majority of Dailuaine’s (pronounced “Dal-oo-ayn”) output rests within a blend which some folks might enjoy with passing familiarity: Johnnie Walker. Aside from occasional appearances in Diageo’s Limited Edition and Flora and Fauna series, there is relatively scant Dailuaine representation, save for cameos on the independent bottling circuit. This WM Cadenhead’s release was selected by Chicago super chain Binny’s in 2019, and we present for your consideration a most timely and contemporary review.

The nose is generous and active with butterscotch and vanilla bean on the first approach. With some rest, notes of raisin and allspice emerge. A bit of caution: the allspice influence amplifies quite a bit after adding a few drops of water. The palate is a bit oily at first, with loads of pear making way for a warming blend of vanilla, caramel, and star anise. The bourbon barrel influence arrives briefly afterward, bringing an element of oak and cereal in a pleasant but never overbearing fashion. There’s a medium-long finish of caramel sweetness and lemon cookies, and a hint of spice provides complexity to the conclusion.

It’s a textbook example of bourbon barrel influence on single malt, and if that’s the sort of flavor profile that suits you, you won’t be disappointed here. Availability is limited: A quick inquiry on Binny’s website reveals scant bottles remain in stock spread over various locations.

Nashville Barrel Company is a new brand, and as with many upstarts, they’re relying on sourced products to get the company up and running. Unlike some other upstarts, they don’t seem to have immediate aspirations of opening their own distillery (at least for now). Instead, they’re focusing efforts on a brick-and-mortar tasting room, bottling center, and corporate offices set to open in Nashville’s Railyard District later this year. While they won’t be distilling their own whiskey anytime soon, the founders have been around important whiskey circles for years. The founding ownership group includes Mike Hinds, who sits on the board of Bourbon Charity and is listed as their “Chief Bourbon Guy.” James Davenport serves as the lead “mix master” responsible for blending their initial line of spirits.

That brings us to the whiskey itself. The company launched with a Small Batch Rye, with Batch 1 featuring a blend of four and seven year ryes; Batch 2 is a “duet” of four and eight year rye. The whiskey has a 95/5 mash bill of rye and malted barley, all sourced from Indiana. (Astute rye drinkers will note these are common hallmarks of an MGP-sourced product.) Batch 2 comes in at 100 proof with a run of 15,000 bottles.

The company also offers a Single Barrel Rye, with a Single Barrel Bourbon and a Barrel Aged Rum launching in the coming months. Let’s see how Small Batch Rye Batch 2 holds up.

The rye has an appealing caramel color that holds up well in a glass but doesn’t feature the more amber or purple tints from some others on the market today. On the nose, the rye hits quickly with floral and fruity notes, with a bit of lingering citrus and walnut. The characteristic scent of rye spice soon follows, though it’s a slightly lighter note than many other MGP-sourced ryes you’re likely to find. On first sip, the whiskey is sweeter, with notes of caramel, cinnamon, cocoa, and vanilla. (The vanilla continues to open up with each drink.) The spice coalesces on the palate with a welcome note of black pepper that plays in harmony with the sweeter and fruitier flavors.

Ever looking for a way to delight its customers, California’s Bonny Doon has priced all of its 2021 main-line releases at $15. Today we look at the quartet of releases, including three blends and one solo varietal, a picpoul.

2020 Bonny Doon Picpoul Monterey County Beeswax Vineyard – Salty and sharp up front, this wine eventually settles into a creamier groove that evokes melon and some coconut. Best served very cold, where its natural salinity is more obviously evident. B

2020 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Blanc White Wine of the Earth – A weird blend of 60% grenache blanc, 32% verminto, and 8% clairette blanche. Sure enough, it tastes like a weird blend, a doughy but also rather green wine with notes of honeysuckle, white pepper, broccoli rabe, and a notable green bean character. The finish is on the dank side, hinting at fresh tobacco and mud. All of that may sound bizarre, but the wine is curiously drinkable in its own way. C+

2020 Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare Pink Wine of the Earth – Rose made from 79% grenache, 5% grenache gris, 5% grenache blanc, 5% vermentino, 3% cinsault, 1.5% picpoul, and 1.5% clairette blanche. Very dry, with a huge floral element to it. Things get a bit mushroomy as the wine develops in the glass, the finish going from grassy to vegetal, with a rather unripe character that lingers on the back end. Notes of lime leaf add a citrus pop to brighten things up a little. B-

The Milagro line of tequilas has expanded, but its original, core lineup continues to be a popular, affordable, and widely available option that we last reviewed in 2015. Let’s try the most recent bottlings and see how they compare to earlier ones.

All expressions continue to be 100% blue agave and 80 proof.

Milagro Tequila Silver (2021) – The vegetal agave note and touch of sweetness that appeared previously show up again on the nose and are joined by a touch of brine and antiseptic. On the palate, this tequila is unexpectedly harsh and closed off, with mild sweetness and pepper coming through. The finish is fairly short, once more introducing an antiseptic note that lingers. There appears to be some inconsistency in the bottling because I remember enjoying this more when I tried it in the past. C / $23 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

Milagro Tequila Reposado (2021) – Rested in American oak barrels for 2 to 4 months, this is an improvement over the Silver. The nose includes light agave, sweetness, and a touch of brine as well as some sandalwood, which we noted in 2015. The harshness of the palate has been mellowed by the time it spent in wood, and some agave notes on the nose and palate mix with cinnamon, pepper, and a bit of green pepper. The finish is still rather short, but the antiseptic note is largely gone, at least. B- / $26 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

It already seemed like Barrell was sitting on a large supply of whiskey, what with its rapid-fire bourbon releases and frequent special editions, but now comes an entirely new whiskey line from Barrell Craft Spirits, dubbed Stellum. What does Stellum mean? Apparently, it’s a derivative of the latin word for star. So, there’s that. The initial portfolio includes a bourbon, rye, and single barrels of each, all bottled at cask strength.

How does Stellum compare to Barrell’s other products? Well, the whiskeys are still made from sourced bourbon and rye from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee, but they’re less complex blends according to the press release and reportedly include more Indiana-sourced juice. While some older stock is used, the core blend for the bourbon is 5 to 6 years old while the rye is 4 to 10 years. The biggest difference may be the price point which clocks in at nearly half of a typical Barrell batch release. We received a sample of both the bourbon and the rye for review. Let’s dig in!

Stellum Bourbon – The nose is exceptionally gentle for a cask strength whiskey, with a subtle aroma of brown butter and dark brown sugar. It’s not overly complex, but there’s a nice depth to it. On the palate, the cask strength is more apparent with a bit of red pepper heat that builds across the sip and lingers well into the finish. Notes of caramel sauce, apple slices, and subtler dark fruits make for an engaging palate, although that peppery heat does tend to get in the way a bit towards the end, drying things out prematurely. A few drops of water help to dull some of the chili pepper and broaden the aroma. 115 proof. B+ / $55 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

Stellum Rye – This is reportedly built around the 95/5 MGP mashbill with some Kentucky and Tennessee rye for accent. On the nose, there’s definitely that familiar sweet, dilly spice, but it’s not nearly as domineering as some MGP ryes I’ve encountered. The more vegetal notes are well-balanced against a sweet sawn wood element and some soft baking spice. It’s extremely approachable at cask strength with an easy, even heat and an oily palate showcasing a nice balance of black pepper, clove, and buttery cinnamon toast. The finish is a touch shorter than I’d prefer, but there’s still a lot to like about this one. Ideal for neat sipping or in an elevated cocktail. 116 proof. A- / $55 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]