Some years, but not all, I do a yearend roundup article listing some of my favorite wines or spirits. This year, as I just got back from wine tasting in Napa and Healdsburg, and writing all about it, I thought I’d do my article on the different spirits and cocktails I discovered this year.
So, to roundup the year, in July of this year I did a blog post, to share where wine and spirit news from Las Vegas can be found on this blog, and that we will still be providing coverage from various wine trips we’ve taken. Now, moving on, here are the promised spirits and cocktails I discovered in 2025:
Frey Ranch Distillery “Harvester” release. This Nevada farm and distillery did two Harvester releases in 2025 and the first sold out in 20 minutes, you may be able to find the second. Read all the notes and more here. If you see that yellow-gold label on a shelf, and you’re a whiskey lover, snap any of their whiskies up.
While attending the Bar and Restaurant Expo this year I sampled a hard lemonade that was 110% perfect in flavor – balancing both sweet and sour – as well as just the right amount of vodka so it wouldn’t be confused with a low ABV canned/bottled drink. Read about High Octane Lemonade here.
From the Universal Whisky Experience High Roller Lounge in April: My favorites included Bhakta 1962 Armagnac, Dewars 38 year old, The Dalmore 25 year old, everything at the Impex Beverages table, Benromach 40 year old, Convalmore 1984, Rosebank 1991, Glenfarclas 30, 35 and 40 year olds, Fettercairn 40 year old, Scapa 21 year old, Caperdonich 27 year old peated and non-peated, Lagavulin 1997, Johnnie Walker 52 year old, Pittyvaich 1992, Singleton of Dufftown 1985, Bowmore 1998, Bardstown Cathedral French Oak (that would be from oak staves to be used in the restoration of Notre Dame) Barrel Finish, Bardstown Silver Oak finish, and Midleton Very Rare. Read more here.
And from the Universal Whisky Experience: We enjoyed everything @ImpexBev brought to the table, and from there we enjoyed tastes from @BalblairWhisky @RosebankWhisky @JohnnieWalker @CuttySarkWhisky @GoslingsRum @ObanWhisky @MartingaleCognac @Aberfeldy @OhishiWhisky @Dewars @TheDalmore @LagavulinWhisky @MidletonVeryRare
@FettercairnWhisky @KokorodamaWhisky @NcNean + and more! See you all April 2026! More specifics here.
From this year’s Bar and Restaurant Expo: Some of the brands I enjoyed included The Deacon blended Scotch whisky – blending whisky from Islay and Speyside; sharing a fabulous taste of Grappa Bianca by Distilleria Nardini with my friend Steve Roebuck; all of the bottled cocktails by the Signature Cocktail Company where the labels credit the mixologists responsible – my pal Jason liked the Raspberry Espresso Martini; LOVED the High Octane Lemonade (My favorite new discovery! Gotta get a bottle before summer!) made with real juice and natural flavors which created a perfect blend of sweet+tart+vodka; the latest from Ohio-based Middle West Spirits was their Napoleon Calvados Cask Finished 5 YO barrel strength winter wheat and dark pumpernickel rye whisky in their Double Cask Collection and it’s remarkable + their Vim Petal Dry Gin with 18 botanicals; organic vodka distilled from grapes from Hanson of Sonoma I enjoyed included Meyer Lemon, Habanero, and Ginger; super smooth Puercoleon Artisanal Mezcal; surprised to find Kavalan whiskies from Taiwan and their newest bottling: a triple sherry cask matured whisky; and shoutouts to the unique Macajillo Macadamia nut liqueur table that was creating quite a buzz; the Italian herbal liqueur Strega that is always a treat to have, had to try the New Riff Malted Rye = delish; the two brand new oat-milk based Bailey’s were damn tasty; Captain Morgan’s rum now makes a Sweet Chili Lime flavor that was interesting; Timmy’s Pastime smoked almonds – gotta find that bourbon flavored one again; and last but certainly not least look for the Roses Brands of colorful Swizzle Stirrers made with rock sugar! Read more here.
From the Winter Fancy Food Show I discovered Barsmith Mixers and loved the three I took home for review: Orange Bitters Old Fashioned, Hot Honey Old Fashioned, and their Espresso Martini. Read all about them here.
Rediscovered: The Mudslide! This chocolatey shake with booze was very popular back in the 1980s I believe and I saw one on a cruise ship menu and had to go for it. When I got home I found a pre-mix bottle with rum – that I added more rum to – and it was just as delicious. Read more here.
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. Follow on Instagram and Facebook.
