Henschke bounces back after bushfires and shocking weather events with a 2021 vintage that is spectacular. From the upcoming June issue out on May 27. I’m in South Australia to taste the new vintages of Henschke’s top single-vineyard shirazes, including the jewel in the crown, Hill of Grace. But on the way to the tasting […]
GlenDronach’s once in a lifetime release
The GlenDronach Distillery is releasing its first-ever 50 Year Old Single Malt: the Highland Distillery’s oldest and rarest whisky to date. Just 198 bottles, each individually numbered, will be available worldwide with a small number destined for Australia. The release marks an important moment in the near two-hundred-year history of The GlenDronach Distillery, one of […]
Splice The Mainbrace! Pusser’s Rum, Black Tot Day, And The End Of A Royal Navy Tradition
July 31 is Black Tot Day. If you didn’t know better, you’d swear it was something evil – or at the very least politically incorrect. As it celebrates the end of a long and famous tradition now deemed inappropriate, perhaps it is exactly that. The first Black Tot Day was in 1970, the last day on […]
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
There was some debate around a decade ago that this iconic Margaret River winery had lost a little of its glitter and that the wines were not what they once were. I was not quite as onboard with that as some. In fairness, it is not easy to remain at the pinnacle for a half […]
Malbec: a dark horse among Australian reds
If you ask most wine drinkers which country they associate with Malbec, they will probably say Argentina. This is not surprising, as Argentina has more than 75 per cent of the world’s plantings of Malbec. However, Malbec actually originates from France, where it is known by the rather unremarkable name of Côt. It is part […]
The new ‘little black dress’ of the spirits world
In a category formerly dominated by tradition and macho branding, Manly Spirits Co.’s Coastal Stone range of single malt whisky offers a breath of fresh air. Manly Spirits Co. is well known for its clear spirits range of vodkas and gins, but has now launched its ‘Dark Side’ with a fashionable, contemporary collection of Coastal […]
What drives the appeal of celebrity spirits brands?
In a time before social media stars helped shape our consumption habits, traditional celebrities were the original influencers. Actors and musicians have always appeared in advertising across any number of goods and services to tell us what to buy and why, being the face of campaigns spruiking anything and everything, including liquor. And today, there […]
Crystal Head Vodka Celebrates Pride With Limited-Edition Bottle
Crystal Head Vodka has announced its limited-edition Pride bottle in celebration of diversity and equality is back by popular demand with the addition of availability in the 1.75 L size. The bottle uses a one-of-a-kind proprietary decoration process unique to the brand. A true collector’s item, 2021 is the last year to purchase this Pride […]