Issue 95 · June 29, 2026
The Heat Before Rain
Theme: Tension Yields Flavor
Eight bottles shaped by extremes — the sun-baked fields, the scorched grain, the slow climb before the sky opens. This issue explores how pressure and patience converge in the glass.
There's a moment in every growing season, every distillation, every barrel's long rest when tension peaks. The air is heavy, the grain is dry, the must is volatile. It's the heat before rain — the instant before release, when everything a maker has done either holds or doesn't. The bottles in this issue were all forged in that crucible.
From a high-rye bourbon built for confrontation to a white wine that captures the electric stillness of a Loire summer afternoon, today's lineup honors producers who lean into difficulty rather than away from it. Pour slowly. These earned their place.
Don’t see your special bottle? Hit the middle button on the home page and request a review — we’ll get to it. See every bottle we’ve reviewed to date at reviews.schoolofwineandspirits.com.
Bourbon Redemption High Rye Bourbon
Blended and bottled in Bardstown from MGP-distilled bourbon, Redemption was built around the idea that high-rye mash bills — once considered too aggressive — deserved a platform of their own.
Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brand: Redemption
Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP sourced)
Proof: 92 (46% ABV)
Age: NAS
Color: Warm amber with copper edges
MSRP: $28–$35
Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Barrel Type: New charred American oak
Nose: Rye spice crackles immediately, with toasted rye bread and a thread of dried orange peel. Beneath it, caramel sweetness tempers the grain's bite, and a faint whiff of charred oak rounds things out.
Palate: Lean and assertive. The high rye content pushes pepper and baking spice to the front, while corn sweetness provides a steady counterbalance. Midpalate brings butterscotch and a hint of leather before the oak structure tightens.
Finish: Medium-long with lingering rye spice and a dry charred oak tail. A whisper of cherry emerges as it fades.
Cocktail — Rye Line Old Fashioned — 2 oz Redemption High Rye Bourbon · 0.25 oz demerara syrup · 3 dashes Angostura bitters · 1 dash orange bitters · Stir over a large rock, express an orange peel and drop it in.
Pair with: Smoked brisket with black pepper bark
Scotch Whisky Glenfarclas 25 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Grant family has owned and operated Glenfarclas since 1865, sourcing their sherry casks directly from cooperages in Jerez — a tradition that gives their aged expressions an unbroken thread of quality.
Classification: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brand: Glenfarclas
Distillery: Glenfarclas Distillery
Proof: 86 (43% ABV)
Age: 25 Year
Color: Deep mahogany with amber-gold highlights
MSRP: $170–$220
Region: Speyside
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Distillation: Copper pot stills, direct-fired until 1981, steam-heated since
Maturation: Oloroso sherry casks, minimum 25 years
Cask Type: Oloroso Sherry Butts
Peat Level (PPM): Unpeated
Chill-Filtered: No
Nose: Rich dried fruit — dates, figs, and raisin — layered over dark chocolate and old oak. Sherry influence is unmistakable but restrained, with floral rosewater and a wisp of woodsmoke beneath.
Palate: Full-bodied and luxuriously textured. Toffee and orange marmalade open into clove spice and toasted hazelnut. The sherry cask maturation delivers depth without heaviness, balanced by a clean malt backbone that keeps things taut.
Finish: Exceptionally long. Dried fruit and cocoa linger, with a gentle earthy quality and fading honey sweetness.
Pair with: Dark chocolate torte with salted caramel
Awards: Gold, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2023
Irish Whiskey Waterford Tinnashrule Edition 1.1 Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Distilled from barley grown exclusively on the Tinnashrule farm in County Wexford, this Waterford release traces every grain from field to bottle in its pursuit of terroir-driven Irish whiskey.
Classification: Single Farm Origin Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Brand: Waterford
Distillery: Waterford Distillery
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Age: NAS
Color: Bright gold with green-tinged highlights
MSRP: $75–$95
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley (Tinnashrule single-farm origin)
Distillation: Double Distilled
Maturation: First-fill bourbon barrels and premium French oak
Chill-Filtered: Non-chill filtered
Nose: Distinctly green and meadowy — freshly cut grass, white peach, and a thread of honey. Beneath the fruit, a subtle earthiness comes through alongside vanilla from first-fill bourbon barrels.
Palate: Creamy and medium-bodied with excellent texture. The barley's origin shines through in mineral undertones, while peach, clove spice, and a cereal malt sweetness create a layered midpalate. A light coconut note drifts through from the cask.
Finish: Medium-long, with lingering green apple freshness and gentle woody spice. The terroir-driven minerality echoes at the close.
Cocktail — Orchard Highball — 2 oz Waterford Tinnashrule · 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice · 0.25 oz honey syrup · Top with chilled sparkling water · Build over ice in a tall glass, stir gently, garnish with a thin apple slice.
Pair with: Aged Comté cheese with honeycomb
Tequila LALO Blanco Tequila
Founded by Eduardo 'Lalo' González — grandson of Don Julio González — LALO is a third-generation expression of restraint, made from estate highland agave, deep-well water, and champagne yeast, with nothing added and nothing aged away.
Classification: Blanco (Plata)
Brand: LALO
Distillery: Destiladora del Valle de Tequila (NOM 1479)
Proof: 80 proof (40% ABV)
Age: NAS (unaged)
Color: Crystal clear
MSRP: $49
Agave: 100% Blue Weber agave from Los Altos (highlands), Jalisco
Cooking Method: Slow-cooked in brick ovens, roller-mill extracted, fermented with champagne yeast in stainless steel, double-distilled in copper pot stills, bottled at proof with deep-well water.
NOM: NOM 1479
Additives Free: Yes
Nose: Bright cooked agave leads, layered with citrus zest, fresh-cut grass, and a whisper of white pepper. A subtle floral lift — honeysuckle and orange blossom — emerges with air.
Palate: Silky and pristine on entry, with sweet roasted agave, green apple, and lime pith. Mid-palate brings vanilla cream, mineral salinity, and a quiet herbal undertow of mint and eucalyptus.
Finish: Clean and medium-long, finishing with peppery warmth, a touch of cinnamon, and lingering agave sweetness that fades into stony minerality.
Cocktail — Highland Tension — 2 oz LALO Blanco, 0.75 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz honey syrup (2:1), 0.25 oz mezcal (for tension), 2 dashes celery bitters. Shake with ice, strain into a coupe, garnish with a grapefruit twist expressed over the surface.
Pair with: Aguachile verde with sweet shrimp, cucumber, and serrano — the tequila's mineral citrus brightens the chile heat while echoing the dish's herbal lift.
Awards: Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2022); 95 points, Tasting Panel Magazine
Gin Gin Lane 1751 Royal Strength London Dry Gin
Named for Hogarth's infamous 1751 engraving, this gin is distilled by Charles Maxwell at Thames Distillers in London — a man who has overseen the distillation of more gin brands than perhaps anyone alive.
Classification: London Dry Gin
Brand: Gin Lane 1751
Distillery: Charles Maxwell, Thames Distillers
Proof: 94 (47% ABV)
Age: NAS
Color: Crystal clear
MSRP: $28–$38
Style: London Dry
Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica root, orris root, cassia bark, lemon peel, grapefruit peel, liquorice root
Base Spirit: Neutral grain spirit
Distillation: One-shot method in a copper pot still
Nose: Classic juniper leads — piney and resinous — with a bright lemon citrus note behind it. Coriander seed warmth and a subtle orris root earthiness add dimension. A whisper of cassia bark spice emerges with air.
Palate: Robust and assertive. The higher proof pushes the botanicals forward without distortion. Juniper remains central, with grapefruit bitterness and angelica's dry herbal quality creating structure. Midpalate reveals peppery spice and a light floral note.
Finish: Dry and persistent. Juniper and citrus hold, with a warm peppery glow and lingering angelica root.
Cocktail — Proper Martini — 2.5 oz Gin Lane 1751 Royal Strength · 0.5 oz dry vermouth · Stir with ice for 30 seconds, strain into a chilled coupe, garnish with a lemon twist.
Pair with: Smoked salmon blini with crème fraîche
Rum Hampden Estate Aged 5 Years Single Jamaican Rum
Hampden Estate has been producing rum in Jamaica's Trelawny parish since 1753, using wild yeast fermentation and heritage marks to create some of the most ester-rich, characterful rums on earth.
Classification: Pure Single Jamaican Rum
Brand: Hampden Estate
Distillery: Hampden Estate Distillery
Proof: 92 (46% ABV)
Age: 5 Year
Color: Deep gold with amber tones
MSRP: $45–$75
Base Ingredients: Blackstrap molasses
Distillation: Copper pot still distillation, high-ester fermentation
Nose: Ripe tropical fruits — banana and overripe mango — burst forward, backed by funky ester notes that are unmistakably Hampden. Beneath the fruit, toffee and a hint of leather emerge. A trace of citrus lifts the whole bouquet.
Palate: Full and expressive. The high-ester character delivers intense tropical fruit alongside molasses richness. Oak influence from five years of tropical aging adds structure and a vanilla thread, while spice — clove, allspice — builds through the midpalate. The funk is present but controlled.
Finish: Long, warm, and complex. Toffee sweetness meets lingering spice and dried fruit. The ester character echoes softly.
Cocktail — Trelawny Daiquiri — 2 oz Hampden Estate 5 Year · 0.75 oz fresh lime juice · 0.5 oz simple syrup · Shake hard with ice, double strain into a chilled coupe, no garnish.
Pair with: Jerk chicken with grilled pineapple
Red Wine Domaine du Coulet Cornas Brise Cailloux 2020
Matthieu Barret tends precipitous granite terraces in Cornas with organic methods and a philosophical commitment to coaxing the terroir's voice from every vine — work so grueling it earned the cuvée its name, 'stone breaker.'
Classification: Cornas AOC
Brand: Domaine du Coulet
ABV: 13.5%
Primary Varietal: Syrah
Blend: 100% Syrah
Vineyards: Granite terraces on the south-facing slopes of Cornas
Maturation: Whole-cluster fermentation, minimal intervention, native yeasts
Color: Inky purple-black with violet rim
MSRP: $55–$75
Nose: Crushed dark berries and violets rise immediately, followed by cracked black pepper and a note of smoked meat. Beneath the fruit, a granite-like minerality and cedar wood add depth and tension.
Palate: Dense and deeply concentrated without heaviness. Dark cherry fruit and blackcurrant are framed by fine-grained tannins and a savory, almost meaty midpalate. The granite terroir shows in the wine's taut, mineral-driven structure. Fresh mint and violet reappear as the wine opens.
Finish: Long and gripping with blackcurrant and toasted oak. The tannins resolve slowly, with a persistent violet echo.
Pair with: Braised lamb shoulder with rosemary and roasted root vegetables
White Wine Domaine de la Taille aux Loups Montlouis-sur-Loire Rémus 2023
Jacky Blot revived this Montlouis-sur-Loire estate in 1988, becoming one of the appellation's most tireless advocates and proving that Chenin Blanc grown on tuffeau limestone could rival the finest white wines of the Loire.
Classification: Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC
Brand: Domaine de la Taille aux Loups
ABV: 13.5%
Primary Varietal: Chenin Blanc
Blend: 100% Chenin Blanc
Vineyards: Tuffeau limestone slopes in Montlouis-sur-Loire
Vinification: Whole-cluster pressing, native yeast fermentation, stainless steel aging on fine lees
Color: Pale gold with green glints
MSRP: $22–$30
Nose: Bright green apple and citrus zest open the glass, with a subtle honeyed undertone. White flowers and a chalky mineral note emerge beneath, along with a hint of melon.
Palate: Crisp and energetic with excellent acidity. Green apple and citrus drive the attack, while the midpalate broadens with honeydew melon and a fine mineral texture derived from the tuffeau limestone soils. A gentle touch of gooseberry adds complexity. The finish tightens with clean, focused fruit.
Finish: Medium length, with lingering citrus and a dry mineral close that draws you back for another sip.
Pair with: Chilled crab salad with lemon vinaigrette and fresh herbs
Train Your Nose: Today's Aroma Spotlight
This issue's aromas trace a path from charred grain to sun-warmed stone. Train your nose on the contrasts — the rye spice against tropical fruit, the juniper against limestone minerality — and notice how tension itself becomes a flavor.
Each product in today's lineup connects to a specific aroma profile you can train with your kit. Whether it's the charred oak of the bourbon, the coastal brine of the scotch, or the agave earthiness of the tequila — your nose is the instrument. Use the kit references below to isolate each aroma before your next pour, then see if you catch it in the glass.
Today's Kit Reference
| Today's Product | Key Aromas | Train With |
|---|---|---|
| Redemption High Rye Bourbon (Bourbon) | Rye, Caramel, Charred Oak, Butterscotch, Leather | Bourbon Kit |
| Glenfarclas 25 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Scotch Whisky) | Dried Fruit, Cocoa (Dark), Clove Spice, Honey, Floral (Rosewater), Earthy | Whisky Kit |
| Waterford Tinnashrule Edition 1.1 Single Malt Irish Whiskey (Irish Whiskey) | Green (Cut Grass), Peach, Honey, Vanilla, Earthy | Whiskey Kit |
| LALO Blanco Tequila (Tequila) | Agave (Cooked), Citrus (Lemon, Lime, Orange, Grapefruit), Grass, Pepper, Floral (Lavender, Rose, Violet), Herbal (Mint, Thyme, Eucalyptus) | Tequila Kit |
| Gin Lane 1751 Royal Strength London Dry Gin (Gin) | Juniper (Pine), Lemon, Coriander, Orris Root, Peppery, Angelica | Gin Kit |
| Hampden Estate Aged 5 Years Single Jamaican Rum (Rum) | Tropical Fruits, Banana, Toffee, Vanilla, Spice (Generic), Leather | Rum Kit |
| Domaine du Coulet Cornas Brise Cailloux 2020 (Red Wine) | Blackcurrant, Violet, Cherry, Cedar, Mint, Toasted | Wine Kit |
| Domaine de la Taille aux Loups Montlouis-sur-Loire Rémus 2023 (White Wine) | Apple (Green), Citrus (Generic), Honey, Melon, Gooseberry | Wine Kit |
Explore the School of Wine and Spirits
Put these aromas to work with a training kit designed to sharpen your palate across every category in today's lineup. Our Aroma Masterclass Kits are designed to teach it to you, one aroma at a time.
Our books on Amazon go deeper into the science and history behind every sip — from America's Spirit, Scotland's Spirit, Ireland's Spirit, The Ultimate Northern Italian Wine Journey, The Tequila y Mezcal Revolution, Chablis, and Côte d'Or pocket guides.
Explore our Aroma Masterclass kits and books at schoolofwineandspirits.com
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The heat before rain is the moment that matters most — the moment your palate learns to hold the tension and find the flavor inside it.
Know someone who'd love this? Forward this newsletter or share the link — and reply with your own tasting notes. We read every one.
Until tomorrow's pour — cheers.
Robert R. Mohr, CPA, CGMA, WSET Level 3, WSG Certified Spirits Specialist — author of America's Spirit, Scotland's Spirit, Ireland's Spirit, The Ultimate Northern Italian Wine Journey, The Tequila y Mezcal Revolution, The Definitive Pocket Guide to Chablis, The Definitive Pocket Guide to the Côte d'Or, and Strategic Tuning. Published author of the Aroma Academy Tequila/Mezcal and Distiller's training kits.
The Still & The Vine is a daily publication of the School of Wine and Spirits.
Redemption High Rye Bourbon
Redemption
Redemption's high-rye mash bill makes this an ideal bourbon for anyone who wants their whiskey to talk back. It's structured, spice-forward, and deeply drinkable — punching above its price point with conviction. A cocktail powerhouse that stands equally well on its own.
Glenfarclas 25 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Glenfarclas
Glenfarclas remains one of Scotland's great family-owned distilleries, and this 25-year expression shows why they've never needed flash. The sherry influence is perfectly integrated after a quarter century, producing a whisky of rare poise. This is maturity without exhaustion.
Waterford Tinnashrule Edition 1.1 Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Waterford
Waterford's terroir experiment continues to produce compelling evidence that where barley grows matters. Tinnashrule's single-farm origin delivers a whiskey with genuine sense of place — bright, textured, and intellectually satisfying. This is Irish whiskey moving forward with conviction.
Gin Lane 1751 Royal Strength London Dry Gin
Gin Lane 1751
Gin Lane 1751 doesn't reinvent anything — it perfects the template. Master distiller Charles Maxwell, with over four decades at Thames Distillers, has produced a gin that proves London Dry's enduring relevance. The elevated proof ensures it punches through tonic and holds its shape in a Martini. Honest, rigorous work.
Hampden Estate Aged 5 Years Single Jamaican Rum
Hampden Estate
The 5-Year expression sits in Hampden's sweet spot — enough age to integrate the distillery's famously high ester count, but young enough to preserve the raw tropical intensity. This is rum for people who want flavor with conviction. It rewards attention and handles mixing with authority.
Domaine du Coulet Cornas Brise Cailloux 2020
Domaine du Coulet
Matthieu Barret farms these granite-slope vineyards with minimal intervention, and Brise Cailloux — meaning 'stone breaker' — is an apt name. This is Cornas that demands patience: give it thirty minutes in the glass and it will reward you with one of the Northern Rhône's most compelling expressions of Syrah. Serious wine for serious drinkers.
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups Montlouis-sur-Loire Rémus 2023
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups
Jacky Blot's entry-level Montlouis is one of the Loire's quiet bargains. The 2023 vintage captures the appellation's electric tension — ripe enough to be generous, taut enough to stay interesting. Chenin Blanc from limestone soils, fermented with rigor and bottled with restraint. This is summer in a glass.
LALO Blanco Tequila
LALO
A purist's blanco — unaged, additive-free, and built on disciplined choices. The tension between bright highland fruit and earthy mineral grip is exactly what makes it memorable.
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