Charles Heidsieck ‘Blanc des Millenaires’ 2004

Charles Heidsieck Blanc Des Millenaires 2004: Long Live The King Of Chardonnay Cuvées

The king is dead. Long live the king. It has been with us seemingly forever, but finally the esteemed house of Charles Heidsieck will move on from the 1995 vintage of its stunning prestige cuvée Blanc des Millenaires to the 2004 vintage. What about all those vintages in between, you ask? Well, these missing vintages are part of what makes this wine so special.

Guests enjoying the garden at Grovely House

Luxurious Wining, Dining, And Sleeping — Glamping, Anyone? — In Southeast Queensland, Australia

Queensland is a mecca for tourists from around the world. The Great Barrier Reef and its islands, the Gold Coast, northern rainforests, endless beaches, and outback all draw millions of visitors each year. Queensland also makes wine, and although production is small there are some tasty bottles and luxurious places to stay, including a round of glamping like you’ve never seen.

Penfolds Lot 1990 Pot Distilled Single Batch Brandy neat

Penfolds Special Bottlings: Spirited Wines, Distilled Single Batch Brandy, And A Fortified

The invitation to a “secret tasting” with James Godfrey was not one Ken Gargett would ever decline. What Godfrey doesn’t know about fortifieds is not worth knowing, and those he has not tasted are probably not worth tasting. Here’s what Ken learned . . .

El Dorado 21-Year-Old Special Reserve Rum

El Dorado 21-Year-Old Special Reserve Rum: Searching Out Guyana’s Rich, Liquid Gold

At the highly respected Chicago Beverage Tasting Institute, the El Dorado 21-Year-Old caught the world’s attention when it was awarded 98/100, the highest score ever achieved by any rum. It was described as “one of the world’s greatest rum drinking experiences.” Does Ken Gargett agree?

Chateau Yquem

Château d’Yquem: Paired Years Elevate The World’s Best White Wine For A Simply Magical Experience

Ken Gargett thinks that the 2001 Château d’Yquem is the finest young wine he has ever experienced, red or white, and remains convinced that it will go down as one of the greatest Yquems, if not the greatest of all time. But he was also able to experience something else: drinking “twin” vintages of this amazing Sauternes.

Partagás Edición Limitada Series No. 1 cigars

Partagás Edición Limitada Series No. 1: Worthy Of The Limited Edition Name?

One of the three Limited Edition program releases from Habanos for 2017, the Partagás Series No. 1 has hit the shelves. This cigar is still very young, but Ken Gargett has distinct opinions on it.

Four overlapping labels make up the graffiti art on the Longview Piece Shiraz 2015

Longview Piece Shiraz 2015: Street Art Meets Viniculture

There has long been a connection between fine wine and art. But as much fun as the packaging of the Longview Piece Shiraz 2015’s art label is, what ultimately counts is what is in, not on, the bottle. And for Ken Gargett, this shiraz delivers where it counts: taste.

Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin

Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin: Neon Purple And Guaranteed To Contain No Motorcycle Engine Parts

According to Ken Gargett, there is nothing any gin distiller in Australia makes today that has grabbed attention like Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin. If you are yet to jump on board the gin revolution, this would make for a great start.

Louis Roederer Rosé 2012 vintage champage

Louis Roederer Rosé 2012: A Gloriously Ethereal And Elegant Champagne

The real excitement for wine lovers comes when they find something that sings; that drinks well above its pay grade. And so it is with the latest rosé champagne from Louis Roederer, the 2012 vintage. Ken Gargett has a glass (or two) to see if this champagne from the house that makes Cristal lives up to the hype.

Montecristo Línea 1935 (L-R): Dumas (49 x 130 mm), Maltés (53 x 153 mm), and the Leyenda (55 x 165 mm)

Montecristo Línea 1935 Leyenda Cigar: The Closest Thing To The Second Coming?

The long-awaited, much-hyped, and very much debated line of premium cigars Línea 1935 from the house of Montecristo is finally hitting the shelves. The Línea 1935 range is very much aimed at the pinnacle: these are high-priced cigars for special occasions. But how do they smoke? Ken Gargett has specific opinions on this.