During the winter months, we expect some rough, cold weather. This year, expect Thundersnow from MadTree Brewing in Cincinnati, Ohio. This spiced Scotch Ale falls into the Winter Warmer category, with nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and just enough warmth thanks to the 8.5% ABV. A great example of a winter seasonal that is unique, full-flavored, and balanced.
The fourth release in Diageo's Orphan Barrel line of premium bourbons is ready to hit store shelves, and might be the best of the bunch. Lost Prophet is a 22-year-old bourbon that was distilled in 1991 and bottled at 90 proof. This one-time release is an easy drinker and unlike other extra-aged releases, is not over-oaked. The beautiful packaging matches the contents of the bottle, making this one difficult to resist.
Some collaborations are just perfect, and that's the case with Beer Thousand from Dogfish Head. It celebrates the 20th anniversary of the legendary album Bee Thousand from Ohio rockers Guided By Voices. Almost as notorious for their beer guzzling as their sound, this Imperial lager should impress fans of GBV and craft beer alike. It's brewed with 10 grains and 10 hop varieties and is also 10% ABV — all adding up to Beer Thousand. You also get a 10-inch record with 10 songs from the band's first tour back in 1994 if you spring for the six bottle box.
It might sound harsh, but cask strength bourbon is actually some of the most flavorful stuff you can get your hands on. Few Spirits know that, and have recently released a Cask Strength expression of their high-rye mashbill bourbon, clocking in at 117 proof. It's a complex dram with loads of taste and is surprisingly smooth considering the weight. Packaged in another beautiful Few bottle, it should rise to the top of your whiskey shopping list.
Drink iced coffee when it's at its best and freshest with Coil. Up until now, to get iced coffee you had to either water it down using ice, or plan a day in advance by soaking the grounds. With Coil, just pour the hot coffee into the lid or brew it directly into the container. The coffee passes through copper tubing — which can drop the temperature from 210° to 48° in under 4 minutes. Instant gratification and your iced coffee never even touches ice.
If you're trying to track down the most sought after spirits of 2014, chances are you're out of luck — unless of course, you know about Caskers. A one-stop shop for liquor connoisseurs, Caskers tracked down the bottles that you and other boozehounds searched for the most in 2014 — based on millions of searches — and has them available right now, while they last. So instead of driving all over town with no guarantee of finding that small batch bourbon or premium single malt, look no further than Caskers for the best of the best, easy on the wallet and delivered right to your door.
The products you use every day, like shampoo or shave cream, should always be the best. But drugstore pickings are slim, and online shopping is risky when you don't know what you're paying for. That's why Birchbox Man lets you try before you buy. Subscribers receive a monthly box of grooming and style essentials, all tailored to match their personal profiles. Think woodsy beard oil for the urban lumberjack, or a wool knit tie for the sartorially inclined. If you like what you get, you can buy full-size versions in the Birchbox Shop, with perks like free shipping to sweeten the pot. No more letdowns, duds, or compromises: Just a sink ledge stocked with greatness.
When Goose Island released a Vanilla variant of their wildly successful Bourbon County line back in 2010, it was instantly one of the most sought after beers on the market. This winter, vanilla is back in the form of Bourbon County Vanilla Rye. At 13.8% ABV, this huge stout was aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels with a mix of Mexican and Madagascar vanilla beans and will be one of the most desired beers of 2014.
Drinking coffee in the wilderness doesn't have to mean accepting a sub-par cup of joe. With the Bush Smarts Camp Coffee Kit, you can make a great-tasting cup no matter where you are. This all-in-one package — perfect for gifting — includes a minimal mesh filter and a BPA-free bottle that you use to brew your coffee cowboy-style, mixing the grinds in with the water and straining them into the two included Kuksas for drinking. As for the coffee itself, it's sourced from Guatemala, and freshly roasted at 21Bean in Queens before being shipped to your door.
As the holidays approach, a proper advent calendar should be in every home, especially if booze is behind every calendar door. The Tequila Advent Calendar gives you 24 samples of tequila from great brands like Jose Cuervo, Patron, and Arette. Keep what's behind each door a surprise or get the details before you purchase, and make the cold days leading up to Christmas way more enjoyable.
As more and more bourbon barrel stouts hit the market, it's vital to choose one you won't regret. Retribution from DuClaw Brewing is a true standout, brewed since 2011. It's a full bodied stout aged for 6 months in charred white oak bourbon barrels from Kentucky and each bottle is drawn from a single barrel, making every batch a unique experience. ABV ranges on each batch as well, but goes no lower than 10.5%, giving off some needed warmth on a cold winter day.
Two years ago, the mad scientists at BrewDog brewed a extra-small-batch prototype beer, and then locked it away to age in whiskey barrels. Black Eyed King Imp is the result of that delicate process, and is finally ready for consumption. With huge chocolate, roasty bitter espresso, and of course warming whiskey notes, it's yet another bold notch on the Scottish brewers belts. Be just as patient as the brewers if you get ahold of this 11.8% bad boy, it's meant to be savored.
Retailers might be telling you it's time for Christmas beers, but if you're not quite ready to take that leap just yet, there are plenty of quality fall beers still in season. Sensi Harvest from Sixpoint Brewing is a great choice, featuring fresh picked hops brewed directly into the beer within 24 hours of being plucked from the bine. This approachable Pale Ale is only 4.7%, and might be the ultimate farm-to-table beer.
The chill of winter is near, and there's nothing like a pour of whiskey on a winter night to ward off the bitter cold. A Midwinter Nights Dram from the High West Distillery is a limited edition release of their Rendezvous Rye finished in port and French oak barrels. Named with Shakespeare in mind, this whiskey is sure to warm up a cold winter night with its vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and spice flavors.
Pioneers in the now trendy space of brewing beer in oak barrels, Firestone Walker continue to stay ahead of the pack. Their XVIII Anniversary Ale, an annual release that began in 2006 on the 10th Anniversary of the brewery, is yet again a tasty, remarkable brew. The process includes blending together 227 oak barrels containing 9 different beers. The taste is as complex as the process, and somehow ends being incredibly smooth and balanced. A 13% ABV treat thats rich taste nearly matches the breweries rich history.
One of the most iconic beer brands around has something special up its sleeve with Guinness 1759 this fall. 1759 is a limited edition amber ale based on a 200-year-old recipe using a blend of traditional beer malt and peated whisky malt, along with Guinness yeast. Named for the year that Arthur Guinness signed the lease for St. James' Gate in Dublin, and clocking in at 9% ABV, this should please those loyal to the Guinness brand and beer connoisseurs alike.
Don't let the name confuse you, Scotch still needs to be distilled in Scotland, but that doesn't mean that Brooklyn didn't play a role in this whiskey. Jura Brooklyn was created when Jura sent their Master Distiller to the US to craft a single malt scotch, chosen by and for the people of Brooklyn. A host of local representatives chose a 16 year-old whiskey aged in American White Oak Bourbon, Amoroso Sherry, and Pinot Noir casks and bottled 84 proof. A whiskey worthy of both the Jura and Brooklyn names.
As black as midnight, Sierra Nevada already has a winner on its hands in Narwhal, their Imperial Stout. But Barrel-Aged Narwhal raises the bar, mellowing some of the beer's flavors while intensifying others. After aging in Kentucky bourbon barrels, this 12.9% ABV beast has plenty of bark, but very little bite. It's smooth, sweet, and mellow till the last pour. Available nationally, but in small quantities, making it nearly as rare as its namesake.
Evil Twin Brewing isn't afraid to up the ante, that's why they decided that their Imperial Stout, Even More Jesus, could get even bigger. Double Barrel Jesus takes that beer and combines it with Muscovado Sugar and ages it in bourbon barrels. The result is a rich, pitch black stout with loads of flavors like chocolate, coffee, dark fruits and vanilla. And at 12% ABV, it has the potential to provide a nearly spiritual experience.
The Mortlach Distillery in Scotland has been around since the early 1800's, but might not be familiar since they are coming to the US for the first time this year. Their 25 Years Old Whiskey leads the charge with a rich, slightly sweet, incredibly smooth scotch. It's a fantastic dram for luxury whiskey connoisseurs and a bold announcement that the Mortlach brand has hit US shores, and is here to stay.
Smoked beers, known as Rauchbier in Germany were almost non-existent in the United States until 1988, when Alaskan Brewing set the standard with their Alaskan Smoked Porter. Since then, it's received over 30 National and International awards, and is one of the most decorated beers in the history of the Great American Beer Festival. The dark, robust porter is a perfect pairing with smoked salmon, cheese, or just to warm up a bit on a cold night.
