Geisha coffee, also spelled Gesha, is an Arabica variety best known for its floral aroma and fruit-forward flavor. Its reputation comes with some remarkable prices, which made me curious about what actually ends up in the cup. We tried it […]
After exploring Hennessy Paradis and Tesseron Royal Blend, I wanted to spend some time with another well-known house from Cognac. My next choice was Rémy Martin Extra Fine Champagne Cognac, an older bottling presented in a curved decanter bearing the […]
What is that grape-like fruit? Longan, perhaps, or a small bunch of baby potatoes? Lanzones may not be the most glamorous fruit at first sight, but beneath its pale yellow skin is translucent, juicy flesh with a wonderfully sweet and […]
After Hibiki Japanese Harmony, I was curious to explore another side of Japan’s whisky industry through Nikka and its founder, Masataka Taketsuru. Nikka From the Barrel won me over with honey and dried fruit on the nose, followed by creamy […]
Black Ivory Coffee arrived with the sort of story that makes skepticism almost unavoidable. It is one of the rarest and most expensive coffees in the world, its beans pass through elephants before roasting, and the serving ritual feels closer […]
I have a soft spot for Japanese whisky, especially the attention given to blending and presentation. So why is Japanese whisky so good? The answer lies in the decisions made throughout production, from fermentation and distillation to cask selection and […]
Editor’s Note: Updated October 2026. First published in June 2018, this historical feature has been revised using Suntory and Nikka’s official records. It explores Hibiki’s origins; our tasting of Japanese Harmony Master’s Select remains a separate review. Hibiki history begins […]
Hibiki Japanese Harmony Master’s Select is Suntory’s travel retail blend, bottled at 43% ABV without an age statement. Our tasting brought out vanilla, plum, orange zest, oak, and a little smoke, with enough body to make it more than a […]
Gula melaka is a Malaysian palm sugar traditionally made from coconut flower sap, with a caramel flavor that gives it a useful role in desserts and drinks. We discovered it in Melaka, where it changed the way I thought about […]
Before I ever tasted durian, I had watched a couple online working their way through their first bites, with reactions that made me wonder whether the fruit could really be that challenging. Southeast Asia’s king of fruits soon became something […]