Thursday, April 21, 2016

Tasting - Gelisi Antonio Sangue di Guida

Name: Gelisi Antonio Sangue di Guida (Sweet Italian Red: Blood of Judas)
Region/Country: Lombardy, Italy
Year: 2015
Price: $12.95

Winery Review: A blend of 60% Croatina, 30% Barbera, and 10% Uva Rarathe wine shows candied black raspberry and plum fruit mixes with balsamic and cocoa powder accents in this frizzante red, with light tannins, a creamy mousse, and enough acidity for balance. 84 points by Wine Spectator.

My Review: This wine was super tart and an obvious raspberry flavor was exploding on the palate. It was also very sweet and it was almost like grape juice. It only contained 7.5% alcohol content, which explains its juice-like characteristics for this wine. This wine was definitely not up my alley. I would give this an 80. I tasted it on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Oasis del Cuyo Malbec

Name: Oasis del Cuyo Malbec
Region/Country: Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $12-- Sale $6.95

Winery Review: Deep ruby color. Appealing red fruit nose with hints of tobacco. Medium bodied with a smooth and lush mouthfeel. Finishes dry with lasting flavors. Excellent choice for a young and fruity everyday wine. Enjoy as an aperitif or with meats and pasta dishes. 

My Review: This wine emitted a strong nail polish remover scent. It gave a punch on the nose, as well as on the palate and it left my throat on fire on the finish. There was a hint of green pepper on the palate with bitterness. It was quite dry but the finish was pleasant. I would give this red an 86. I tasted it on its own with no food, but I would love to pair it with a dish.

Tasting - Terranoble Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Terranoble Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/Country: Central Valley, Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon offers an intense and deep color and lovely aromas of red fruit, pepper, and tobacco. It has smooth tannins, very freshness, and rich fruit, which gives the wine a good balance. Pair with barbecue beef ribs, frilled sea bass, or spaghetti alla Bolognese. 

My Review: This red wine was very greeny with a hint of oak. Although it was tannic and left a strange feel on the tongue, the finish was very smooth and it was pretty pleasant. There was also an obvious black pepper component on the palate. I tasted it on its own with no food this time. I think it would smooth out the tannins when it is paired with a meal. I would give this wine an 86. 

Tasting - Terranoble Chardonnay

Name: Terranoble Chardonnay
Region/Country: Central Valley, Chile
Year: 2015
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: This Chardonnay offers a wine with an attractive color and lovely aromas, such as ripe pear and pineapple, mixed with butter and vanilla notes. It is a fresh style of white wine, with a medium persistence in mouth. Ideals as an aperitif. 

My Review: With a 13.5% alcohol content, it gave it a pretty strong kick on the tongue and the throat. The pear flavor mixed with floral component was nice inside the mouth. I would love to pair this wine with a dish. I tasted it on its own with no food this time. I would give this wine an 87. Although it was pretty strong, I liked the sensation it left inside my mouth on the finish. 

Tasting - Santola Vinho Verde Loureiro Pederña

Name: Santola Vinho Verde Loureiro Pederña
Region/Country: Vinho Verde, Portugal
Year: N/A
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Soft and creamy, although with just right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh. 

My Review: This white wine was very refreshing on the nose and it was very pear-peach like on the palate. Very crisp. There was a very obvious honey component, almost a little too overbearing. It was acidic and smooth on the finish, but it was also pretty watery and just too light for my liking. I would give this wine an 83. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Spumante Italiano Moscato

Name: Lost Viyeards Spumante Italiano Moscato
Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Pale color. Confected, fruity aromas of yellow apple, honeysuckle, pear tartlet, and honeydew melon with a satiny, shy, spritzy, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and sleek, fast yellow apple, candied pear, honeycomb, and sweet papaya finish with no tannins and no oak. Simple and approachable with sweet apple, melon, and candied pear on a framework of gentle, delightful bubbles. 

My Review: This wine was super light, golden pink in color, and it was almost like sugary water. I did enjoy the sparky aspect of this wine, but it was not my type of wine overall. It was too sweet with not much fruity component on the palate. I would give this wine an 80. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/Country: Padthaway, Australia
Year: N/A
Price: $19-- Sale $8.95

Winery Review: This red wine is a well above average effort with lots of flavor as well as Australia's so easily obtainable, lush fruit. The 2013 Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon (55% and 45% respectively) exhibits a dark ruby/ purple hue along with a layered, peppery, berry fruit-scented nose revealing licorice and meaty notes. From a much lighter vintage, it is a supple, easygoing red enjoy now and over the next several years. 

My Review: This red was filled with soy sauce aroma and flavor. It was very dark in color and the oakiness left my mouth feel very dried. It was very much tannic and I would think that it would go well with a meal. I tasted this on its own with no food this time. I would give this red an 84. 

Tasting - Cavit Alta Luna Pinot Noir

Name: Cavit Alta Luna Pinot Noir
Region/Country: Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $20-- Sale $9/95

Winery Review: On the nose cherry, plum, and berry aromas mingle with notes of spice and tobacco. On the palate soft, supple tannins, and refreshing acidity are beautifully balanced by ripe cherry fruit flavors on the finish which is dry, harmonious, and elegant. 

My Review: There was an obvious green pepper component on the nose as well as on the palate. Black pepper was also evident on the palate, and overall this red was fairly bitter. I would like to try this tannic wine with a dish to see if the pair gives it a more smooth finish. I would give this wine an 85. This time I tasted it on its own with no food. 

Tasting - El Cortijillo Verdejo

Name: El Cortijillo Verdejo
Region/Country: La Monacha, Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Golden straw color. Bright, attractive, tropical aromas of crème brûlée and fruit tart with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, intriguing, snappy lime and apple finish with crunchy, fruit tannins and light oak. A super smooth and pure white sipper. 90 points-- Beverage Testing Institute. 

My Review: The golden color was very appealing to me, but the flavor was pretty disappointing, as there was not much fruity component in this white wine. There was a hint of spiciness and I tasted a bit of oak toward the finish. I would give this wine an 83. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Pinot Grigio

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Pinot Grigio
Region/Country: Veneto, Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: A Venetian favorite! It is crisp and dry, rich and spicy with hints of peach and honey...perfect with salads, pasta, chicken, and fish! Musaragno is an organic wine estate near Venice, Italy. 

My Review: There was a 'fresh bread out of the oven'  like smell in this wine-- very yeast-like.  It was pretty spicy, but there was not much peach or honey flavors as described in the winery review. It did not have the fruity component that I like in pinot griogios. I would give this win an 82. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Tasting - Fetzer Gewürztraminer

Name: Fetzer Gewürztraminer
Region/Country: California, USA
Year: 2014
Price: $12-- Sale $8.95

Winery Review: A rainy minerality on the nose of this sweet wine manages to cut through the sugared oranges, honeysuckle, and ripe, tropical white fleshed fruit, from peach to cherimoya. The palate is full of honeyed apples, white peach, and pineapple, but the decent acidity and chalky element stops it short of treacly. 

My Review: This sparkly, sweet wine was filled with tropical fruit on the nose with honeysuckle. Although its nose was great and very refreshing, it was too sweet for my liking. I did enjoy the peachy aspect on the pallet though. I would give this wine an 85. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Maipe Malbec

Name: Maipe Malbec
Region/Country: Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2015
Price: $12-- Sale $6.95

Winery Review: "The 2015 Maipe Malbac is another 100% Malbec, with a deep purple color and a style similar to the Lexicon, with chocolaty, blackcurrant, and blackberry fruit, as well as touches of licorice and earth. It is delicious, soft, and round." - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (March 2016), 87 points-- Excellent Wine Values for Under $25

My Review: There was a hint of asparagus on the nose mixed with red cherries. It was quite tannic and chalky on the palate, which was not so pleasant. I tasted this wine on its own with no food. I would give this an 83. The mouth-feel was strange for a while after sipping on this red. 

Tasting - Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Nouveau Gamay

Name: Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Nouveau Gamay
Region/Country: Beaujolais, France
Year: 2014
Price: $12-- Sale $4.95

Winery Review: A pretty, floral wine, with a rose petal notes underscoring the rich pomegranate and sweet plum flavors. The fresh acidity is balanced, and a light spice note lingers on the finish.

My Review: There was an oaky aroma from the beginning but it was actually not at all tannic on the palate. Its texture was very smooth and there was a hint of licorice and black pepper that hinted the spiciness. I would consider this red an 'easy wine' to sip on. I tasted this wine on its own with no food this time. I would give it an 88.

Tasting - Mapreco Vinho Verde Rosé

Name: Mapreco Vinho Verde Rosé
Region/Country: Vinho Verde, Portugal
Year: 2015
Price: $10-- Sale $7.95

Winery Review: The cherry color reveals a slightly fizzy wine that is a very fruitful rosé made from the traditional vinho verde white grapes. Adding a splash of red to offer flavors with notes of strawberry, cherry, and berries. A delightful twist on the original. 

My Review: This rosé was quite sparkly, which was not what I was expecting when I first sipped it. It had a nice, fruity aroma and it reminded me of grapefruit sparkly juice. It was refreshing and I liked its smoothness inside the mouth. I would give this wine an 88. I tried it on its own with no food. I wonder what type of dish would pair well with this wine. 

Tasting - Mars & Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars & Venus Chardonnay
Region/Country: La Mancha, Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple. Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping.

My Review: There was an obvious honey aroma on the nose. The honey flavor was also present on the palate mixed with pineapple, which made this white wine very refreshing. I would love to try this with a dish, but I also really liked it on its own. It had a great balance and the finish was smooth. I would give this wine an 89.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Tasting - Beringer Chenin Blanc

Name: Beringer Chenin Blanc
Region/Country: California, USA
Year: 2014
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: A fresh green-apple aroma and vivid citrus and crisp apple flavors are supported by vibrant acidity in this medium-bodied wine. The texture is smooth but crisp, making lots of good food pairings come to mind, from pre-meal cheese, to salads, seafood, and veggie pastas. 

My Review: This white wine was rosey on the nose with hints of citrus components, perhaps lemon peels. It was a bit too juice-like for my liking but I liked the obvious honeysuckle component on the pallet and how smooth it felt inside the mouth. I would give this wine an 85. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Carraia Aglianico

Name: Carraia Aglianico
Region/Country: Campagna, Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $15-- Sale $9.95

Winery Review: Produced in the Campania region of Italy, this Aglianico has delicious black fruit flavors with hints of licorice, volcanic soil, and tar notes. Classic in nature, yet in a lighter, more crowd-pleasing style, the Carraia is made of the ancient Aglianico grape. This black grape originated in Greece and today is widely grown in Basilicata and Campania. 

My Review: There was a distinct floral perfume-like scent emitting from this wine. It was very dark in color, and red cherry and cranberry flavors were obvious on the pallet. It was not too dry and there were hints of licorice with a slight muskiness added on at the finish. I would give this red wine an 87. It was not a hard red to drink compared to many out there. I would love to pair this with a dish. I tasted this on its own with no food this time. 

Tasting - Siema Vino Rosso: Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo

Name: Siema Vino Rosso: Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo
Region/Country: Piemonte, Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $10-- Sale $6.95

Winery Review: Intense ruby red with soft garnet nuances in the glass, the Rosso is intriguingly fresh, fruity, and spicy on the nose. Perfectly round and balanced, the wine is particularly soft and dry. Pair with simple dishes like fresh cheese, ham, salami, or pizza for a divine culinary experience. 

My Review: This red had a beautiful ruby color, with a hint of green pepper and clove on the nose. It was not too tannic, which did not make my mouth too dry with strange textures. There was also a hint of mint on the pallet, which made this red interesting. Although I tasted this on its own with no food this time, I would love to pair it with ham or pizza! I would give this wine an 86. 

Tasting - Dom de la Foret Grenache Cinsault Rose de Mediterranée

Name: Dom de la Foret Grenache Cinsault Rose de Mediterranée
Region/Country: Provence, France
Year: 2015
Price: $13-- Sale $8.95

Winery Review: A stony, pure style, with a warm paving stone note framing the dried cherry and rose water notes. The long, watermelon rind-- inflected finish is finely tuned. Shows length and cut, staying lacy in feel. 50% Cinsault and 50% Grenache. 

My Review: This wine came in an unusual bottle-- slightly wider and shorter than a regular bottle. It was slightly salmon-pinkish in color and the floral bouquet was exploding on the nose. There was a hint of watermelon flavor on the pallet with spiciness, perhaps black pepper. I would give this wine an 84. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Bricco dei Tati Cortese

Name: Bricco dei Tati Cortese
Region/Country: Piemonte, Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $10-- Sale $6.95

Winery Review: Great Value! Treat this terrific little white like a red: Don't chill it too much, then let it open for a half-hour to develop its enticing tropical fruit flavors. It's dry, but the fruit gives an appealing illusion of sweetness. Great as an aperitif or with light seafood dishes. -The Washington Post

My Review: There was a hint of soy sauce on the nose in this white wine, which was unusual. There seemed to be not much fruity component on the bouquet, but I tasted tropical fruity on the palate. It was a bit too water-down for my liking. It was not too tannic but it was also not too acidic either. I would give this wine an 83. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Friday, March 25, 2016

Tasting - Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake Riesling
Region/Country: California, USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red meat, sausage, and chicken. Best served slightly chilled. 

My Review: Although I did not not like this one, I have definitely had a lot better Rieslings. It had an apricot-like component on the nose, which was refreshing, but it pretty much tasted like a plain fruity juice, which was not too exciting for a wine. I would give this wine an 83. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Crane Lake Shiraz

Name: Crane Lake Shiraz
Region/Country: California, USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Beautiful ruby appearance, with blackberry and pepper notes. Tannins and fruit marry well for a soft finish. This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheese and hazelnuts. Also try it along with roast lamb at Easter time, veal marsala, or frilled salmon.

My Review: This red was very green peppery with a hint of berries on the nose. It was very tannic on the palate, yet it gave it a smooth finish. Compared to other red wines I have had, this was a 'not so bad' red! I would give this wine an 85. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Nouveau
Region/Country: Beaujolais, France
Year: 2015
Price: $12-- Sale $5.95

Winery Review: George Duboeuf is THE king of Beaujolais. His wines are full of pop, charm, and great flavor and his Beaujolais Nouveau is no exception. A cornucopia of expressive fruit wrapped in an almost-bubblegum-like frame; it is the flagship Nouveau. 

My Review: This red wine was very oaky. Blackberries were detected on the nose but the oakiness took over the rest of the flavors. It was very tannic and it left a strange, dry texture on my tongue. I tasted this red wine on its own with no food. I would give this an 83. 

Tasting - Maipe Torrontes

Name: Maipe Torrontes
Region/Country: Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2014
Price: $14-- Sale $7.95

Winery Review: The wine has a spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon, and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well-balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish.

My Review: This white wine was exploding with a floral aspect on the nose and on the palate! Rose petals were very evident from the beginning on the nose, and it was mixed with lemon peels on the palate. The citrusy component added a slight kick on the wine and made it a bit bitter, but it had a refreshing finish. I tasted this wine on its own with no food. I would give this an 88. 

Tasting - Tonnino Pinot Grigio

Name: Tonnino Pinot Grigio
Region/Country: Sicily, Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $14-- Sale $7.95

Winery Review: Tonnino's exotic example of Pinot Grigio has a straw to pale gold color. It is fresh and clean on the nose with fruity notes of pear, green apple, and white peaches. The palate is true to the nose with a fresh acidity, coriander, and lime notes followed by a crisp finish. This wine pairs well with youthful aperitifs, clams, or mussels, pastas, and risotto dishes. 

My Review: This white wine had a clear scent of white peach and apricot on the nose. It had a high level of acidity and it made me want some more. The peach flavor was exploding inside my mouth and it was very refreshing.  I tasted this wine on its own with no food. I would give it an 87. I would love to pair this wine with a dish!

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Tasting - Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder

Name: Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder
Region/Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: $12-- Sale $6.95

Winery Review: The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red meat, sausage, and chicken. Best served slightly chilled. 

My Review: This wine was a bit too sweet for my liking. There was an obvious berry component on the nose, perhaps cranberries. There was a kick of black pepper near the finish, which was interesting for a sweet red. Overall, it was very much like sugary water with black pepper sprinkled in. I would give this wine an 80. I tasted this wine on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli

Name: Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli
Region/Country: Chianti, Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $15-- Sale $8.95

Winery Review: A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano, and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and modern, with dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy texture that's rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full, and chocolaty. 

My Review: There was a hint of broccoli mixed with plum and berries on the nose with this red wine. There was a velvety flavor and it reminded me of dark chocolate. It was highly tannic and it made my mouth dry. I tasted this wine on its own with no food. I would give this wine an 84. 

Tasting - Bolla Bardolino Magnum

Name: Bolla Bardolino Magnum
Region/Country: Bardolino, Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $18-- Sale $9.95

Winery Review: A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara, this bright ruby red wine has hints of black cherry on the nose. It is soft and fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish. Serve it as the Italians do-- young and lightly chilled. Pairs perfectly with fleshy fish, beef, lamb, red-sauced pastas and pizza. 

My Review: The first thing that came to my mind was canned tuna-- it reminded me of a tuna sandwich. I also smelled a little bit of an oaky component. The taste was not at all strong: there was no hint of tuna at all. It was very light, as if it were water-down. There was a hint of black cherry on the finish. I would give this wine an 84. I tasted this wine on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico

Name: Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico
Region/Country: Orvieto, Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $18-- Sale $6.95

Winery Review: The Berganorio Orvieto is a subtle wine with a bright palate. It shows white flowers on the nose and light citrus notes in the mouth. Its neutral character means it can accompany a wide range of foods. A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio. The estate has 103 hectares on the hill opposite the hill town of Orvieto. 88 points by i-winereview.

My Review: This white wine was very golden in color with a scent of flowers and apricot. With a blast of these two characteristics on the nose, I was expecting a little more flavors in the mouth. It lacked flavors and it was pretty disappointing considering how great the aroma was. I tasted this wine on its own with no food. I would give this wine an 83. 

Tasting - Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde

Name: Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde
Region/Country: Vinho Verde, Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $10-- Sale $8.95

Winery Review: A blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura and 10% Azal. Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines. 92 points by Wine & Spirits. 

My Review: This white wine was very light in color. Its aromatic component was very refreshing with a floral touch on the nose along with a hint of pear and peach. There was a clear taste of pear and peach with high acidity. It left my mouth watery. This was an easy wine to sip on. I tasted this on its own with no food. I would give this wine an 88. 

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Rum Distillery Visit - Old New Orleans Rum

On Tuesday, March 8, 2016, my boyfriend Nathaniel and I went to Old New Orleans Rum distillery in the legendary Ninth Ward neighborhood, about 10 minutes outside of the French Quarter by car. Nathaniel and I flew to Louisiana for spring break to visit his grandmother and we spent our first few days in New Orleans. When we were in the city, we picked up a city map and on there, we saw a "buy one get one half off" coupon for this distillery so we decided to check it out. It was located about 20 minutes away by foot from where we were staying, which was very convenient. With the coupon, we got to participate in the tour with rum samples for $9 each (originally $12 per person). As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed with a "Welcome Cocktail," which was a mixture of their Crystal Rum and Amber Rum with mango-peach tea. It was very refreshing especially after we had run there to get there on time. 



Old New Orleans Rum: Celebration Distillation Est. 1995
Rums in the "Welcome Cocktail"

They are open every day of the week with tours at noon (weekdays only), 2pm, and 4pm. We went to the one at 4pm and after the tour, we took the complimentary shuttle to the French Market. This distillery was founded by James Michalopoulos in 1995 in a 150-year-old cotton warehouse. In January 2016, they released their 20th Anniversary Blend: King Creole to the public, which contains seven different rums including its 8th, 10th, and 13th year rums-- some of which survived in the distillery after it flooded from Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Michalopoulos is also an artist, and he has his own gallery by the French Market. Several of his paintings are hung up around the distillery. They are very vivid in color and most of them portray the scenery around the French Quarter. He grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and moved to New Orleans, LA about 30 years ago. He traveled to Burgundy, France in hopes of starting his own winery back in the States, but only to learn that the land and climate of Louisiana were not suited for producing grapes. When he returned, he realized that he could instead produce rum using sugarcane grown in Louisiana. This is how this distillery all began 20 years ago. They currently have about 10 people working total in the distillery and four of which are "distilletors" and their rums are sold at local shops and bars, as well as at various stores throughout the nation. Some states have strict regulations where alcoholic beverages of other states cannot be sold, including Pennsylvania and Maryland. Old New Orleans Rum's main distributors outside of Louisiana include Chicago and Florida. 

One of Mr. Michalopoulos's paintings inside the distillery
Free transportation is provided for visitors between the distillery and the French Market

The 20th Anniversary Blend: all labels are put on bottles by hand





2815 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 70122









"Since the 1700s, the river plantations of Louisiana have made rich blackstrap molasses from the world's finest sugarcane. We celebrate this legacy by producing Old New Orleans in America's oldest premium rum distillery. We use the finest materials, a unique distillation process, and special filtration techniques to create the world's most 
distinctive rums in small, handcrafted batches. We invite you 
to enjoy and share this unique libation on the rocks or in your 
favorite rum cocktail." -Old New Orleans Rum



Watermark sign: the yellow plaque indicates how far up
the water was after Hurricane Katrina-- 8 feet high
These racks helped protect some of the barrels
during the flood after Hurricane Katrina

There were about 12 of us in the tour and once we all had a chance to indulge ourselves in the "Welcome Cocktail," our tour guide gathered us around and told us about the history of the distillery before taking us around the distillery. The molasses used to make their wine comes from an area in Louisiana, about 50 miles away from New Orleans and it is stored in large tanks. The tour guide told us that it takes about two weeks to drain the entire tank of molasses. She did not know how much of molasses can be stored in each tank. With constant water-soil movements with the Mississippi River, the production of sugarcane is successful in this region. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Old New Orleans Rum was under 8 feet of water, but fortunately some of the barrels on wooden racks were safe and some of them are mixed in their 20th Anniversary Blend


Wooden racks that hold barrels of rum inside the distillery



Two large tanks for molasses to be stored







American sherry oak is used for all barrels


Amber Rum: barreled for three years

The tour guide showing us the "bung" on the barrel





Since alcohol evaporates, the barrel is not filled up all the way by the end of the barreling process. What is lost to evaporation is said to be "Angel Share" and the bottom part is called "Devil's Cut," according to our tour guide. The Amber Rum is barreled for three years. 



How the inside of the distillery looks like from the front

Back when they first started operating, the Column Still was used for distillation of alcohol, but it is now only used for projects and experiments. The tank boils the alcohol and the vapor goes up the tube to the right and then comes back down. The alcohol that comes back into the tank is what is potentially used to make rum. There are three types of alcohol in the tank:

Column Still: now used for experiments only


1. Heads -- "high wine": apparently this is distilled twice but it is still too strong to be consumed. The tour guide said this could remove your nail polish-- it is that strong. 
2. Hearts -- "sugar on fire": smooth in the mouth but puts your mouth on fire. We got to taste this one.
3. Tails -- "low wines": this is 'good' alcohol that contains amino acids, proteins, and lipids. 


The four types of original rums sold at the distillery







Prices:
   -Crystal: $17.00
   -Amber: $19.00
   -Cajun Spice: $21.00
   -Gingeroo: $11.85 (buy 3= 5% off/ buy 4= 10% off)





The tanks used to ferment molasses: always at 83 degrees F

Where the alcohol is distilled


The tour guide shows us how the second filtration process is like


Before the rum is ready to be bottled, it goes through three types of filtration. The first one is with charcoal, the second with sheets of paper, and the third, right before bottling. This three-step filtration guarantees that the rum is clean and ready to be consumed. Everything from fermenting the molasses and distilling the alcohol to bottling the rum all take place at this distillery, a 150-year-old former cotton warehouse. Mr. Michalopoulos is still very much involved with the distillery despite having his own art gallery. We missed him but according to the tour guide, he came by just to see how things were running right before our tour began.




Inside of the sherry oak barrel: strong smell of rum and oak
Mike, the main distilletor making an oak barrel


Sugar Kettle: used in the past to press liquid from the sugarcane













During the Prohibition in the 1920s, people still found ways to possess and consume alcohol. According to our tour guide, people looked for the symbol on the left, which indicated that alcohol was secretly sold at that location or nearby. It is neat that they kept the symbol here.






Gingeroo being bottled by a machine
The tank where the Gingeroo is produced
Right after Gingeroo was bottled
A cute little sign by Gingeroo

Gingeroo was delicious! It was sparkly and the ginger flavor makes this cocktail rum very crisp and refreshing. It is best served chilled and this would be a perfect drink on a hot summer day. If I did not fly to Louisiana, I would have bought at least one bottle of this. This contains only 10% alcohol/volume, so it can be consumed on its own without mixing it with anything. This was definitely my favorite out of all the samples. 

These caps keep Gingeroo fresh once opened

Posing with Gingeroo in my hands

Crystal Rum: "Sensual, rich, and aromatic...mix me or on the rocks."
Cocktail syrup: goes well w/ Crystal Rum











Crystal Rum is the base of all the rums produced at this distillery. This rum is not oaked but the molasses is filtered out to create this transparent color. It has 40% alcohol/volume (80 proof). It is smooth in the mouth and it was great when mixed with pre-made cocktail mixes. 




Cajun Spice includes seven types of spices







Cajun Spice contains seven types of spices: cardamom, cinnamon, chicory, cayenne, nutmeg, all spice, and ginger. It is made with its Amber Rum. The cinnamon on the nose is very strong and the spice-ness leaves your mouth on fire a little after swallowing it. It was tasty. 




Nathaniel and I had such an amazing experience at Old New Orleans Rum distillery. We had never gone to a place like this and it holds so much history in such a small place! I feel like not many people even in New Orleans know about this place, because it is on the other side of a railroad track, hidden away. We are so happy we got to participate in the tour and learn about its history and how their rums are made. I think it is so neat that the founder, James Michalopoulos initially wanted to start his own winery and ended up opening a rum distillery! It is also very fascinating that he is also an active painter. If you have an opportunity to go to New Orleans, it is definitely worth going on this distillery tour! Our tour guide was very helpful and she knew a lot about its history and the process of making rum at the distillery. This distillery and I are almost the same age and I am excited to see how far it grows over the years. I would definitely consider going back to this place in the future! Who knows, they might come out with the 50th Anniversary Blend in 30 years!


Nathaniel and I posing by a display of their rum selections