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Continue reading →: SHORT REVIEW: Cenote Añejo TequilaProduced by distillery Fabrica de Tequilas Finos (NOM 1472) in Tequila, Jalisco, by master distiller Arturo Fuentes and master blender Alejandro Garcia Pez, Cenote takes its name for the swimming holes that formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock in the Yucatan which were revered as sacred wells by the…
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Continue reading →: End of the Academic Year Gift From My Students, Symbolism, & MijentaMy home conference group (class) of graduate students from the just-concluded Academic Year 2026 (AY26) gifted me this plaque which they all signed on the back. In addition to teaching and learning together with them this year on a range of security studies and related topics, a number of them…
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Continue reading →: NEW BOTTLE HIGHLIGHT SERIES: Patrón 100 Silver (Blanco) TequilaPatrón gets a lot of hate from tequila snobs, the same folks who lecture others about what they “should” drink and how they “should” enjoy it – but in reality, it is a well-produced tequila that is approachable to a wide array of spirits drinkers. This 100 proof version of…
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Continue reading →: REVISITED SERIES: Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Straight BourbonThis is the inaugural post of a new series where I’ll revisit spirits bottles that I haven’t poured for many months or longer to see how my tasting notes now match with those in my initial short reviews. The Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Bourbon was one of the first…
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Continue reading →: NEW BOTTLE HIGHLIGHT SERIES: Oban Distillers Edition Single Malt ScotchOban was one of the first peated scotches that I spent a significant amount of time with as I began really exploring the category. Together with Highland Park, it convinced me to continue delving into the world of peated whisky. The Oban Distillers Edition, bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV),…
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Continue reading →: NEW BOTTLE HIGHLIGHT SERIES: Lagavulin Distillers Edition Islay Scotch Whisky – Entry Into High PeatA new bottle crack and a fresh pour and I’m reminded of why it was Lagavulin Distillers Edition that was the 1st heavy peated scotch that got me to take a chance on heavier levels of peat. Highland Park and Oban opened the door to any peat and Glenglassaugh Portsoy…
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Continue reading →: NEW BOTTLE HIGHLIGHT SERIES: New ScotchesVirginia ABC is having a huge 3-day sale event, “Spirits Palooza,” 4-6 June with a ton of bottles from across spirits categories on sale, many with deep discounts. ABC is also releasing limited availability/allocated bottles (almost entirely American whiskies) at specific times at all stores but with only a 30-minute…
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Continue reading →: The Bottle That Started My Artisanal Tequila JourneyThis is the bottle that started my real, continuing exploration of artisanal tequila two years ago – a bottle of Mijenta Blanco produced at distillery Destiladora de Los Altos (NOM 1412) in Arandas in the Jalisco Highlands (Los Altos) region by master distiller and blender Ana María Romero Mena. Tequila,…
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Continue reading →: Of Blends & Single Barrels: Buffalo Trace BourbonToday I picked up a Buffalo Trace Bourbon single barrel for a friend who’s just recently started exploring how single barrels can be quite different from regular blends and who is also a big Buffalo Trace Bourbon fan. I’ve suggested we new crack his single barrel, a single barrel (unopened)…
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Continue reading →: Last Graduate Student Bottle Share of AY26 – Spirits Are for SharingSuccess – the final optional bottle share social of Academic Year 2026 resulted in cross-spirits category tastings and lots of good conversation amongst a small group from a larger group on a staff ride. The final bottle lineup was mostly determined by student votes with some additions of my own:…
Documenting my journey into agave spirits along with a smattering of other spirits after many, many years away – This blog is meant to take note of this journey including tasting notes, bottle photography, and other related topics.
