The indispensable tool for the Massachusetts adult beverage trade.
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HIDDEN GEM WINES FROM SOUTH AFRICA

By Seema Tikare Why is South African wine a hard sell? I am having a hard time coming up with downsides. The wines being made there today display an expertise and care, grounded in an ethical commitment to the land on which they are grown, that makes for extremely high...
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IRISH WHISKEY – A YEAR-ROUND SUCCESS STORY

by LEW BRYSON Irish whiskey, once a tiny shadow of its pre-Prohibition global glory, has recovered and is playing in the big leagues again. Jameson is an 8 million case brand worldwide, half of that in the U.S., and Tullamore DEW is at 1.5 million globally, with Bushmills just under...
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A CASE FOR THE CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

By Kirsten Amann Champagne typically has quite an exhaustive run in the latter months of the year, between holiday parties and New Year’s Eve. Oenophile friends start popping holiday bottles as early as Thanksgiving (but who are we kidding, most oenophiles pop bottles on days that end in Y), and...
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MERLOT – A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP

By Seema Tikare I admit, I have mixed feelings about Merlot. There is always a small voice in the back of my head saying, “This is lightweight. As a professional, you should be drinking something more serious — or hipper — or more interesting.” But, at the same time, that...
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CROWN ROYAL AGED 18 YEARS

The newest offering from Crown Royal is an extra rare blend of three of Crown Royal’s whiskies aged at least 18 years. Vanilla and stone fruit on the nose followed by the velvety body of light oak and hints of caramel spice. Delicate notes of nougat linger in the rich,...
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BOTRAN 8 SHERRY CASK RUM

This rum from Guatemala is aged for 5 to 8 years in Sherry casks. It has an intense nose filled with vanilla, nuts and wood.  The palate offers notes of toasted wood along with almonds and walnuts. Suggested retail is $31.99. AVAILABLE FROM Abacus Distributing.