The Almanac of Ash

Issue No. 209 — October 21, 2026

Your daily discovery of 8 exceptional wines and spirits

In This Issue

Bourbon Scotch Whisky Irish Whiskey Tequila Gin Rum Red Wine White Wine

Classification: Texas Bourbon Whiskey

Brand: Ironroot Republic

Distillery: Ironroot Republic Distillery

Proof: 115 (57.5% ABV)

Age: NAS

Color: Burnished copper with amber-gold edges

MSRP: $55–$70

Mash Bill: Blend of purple corn, yellow corn, and malted wheat

Barrel Type: New charred American oak and French oak barrels

Nose: A billowing wave of campfire smoke and toasted marshmallow greets the nose, layered with dark caramel and roasted pecans. Underneath, there's a surprising vein of dried cherry and baking spice, with faint hints of charred cedar and crème brûlée. The purple corn heritage contributes a distinctive earthy sweetness that sets it apart from traditional bourbons.

Palate: The entry is bold and viscous, delivering waves of smoked toffee, charred oak, and dark chocolate. Mid-palate reveals roasted corn sweetness intertwined with leather and black pepper, while French oak influence adds a refined tannic structure and subtle vanilla cream. The cask strength proof amplifies every note without overwhelming, creating a rich, almost chewy texture.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering campfire ash, toasted pecan, and a final flourish of dark caramel and dried tobacco. The smoke thread persists beautifully, never overpowering but always present.

Bourbon Kit Aromas: Charred Oak, Pecan, Caramel, Leather, Tobacco, Corn

The Verdict: Ironroot Republic's Promethean is a bourbon that earns its mythological name—it brings fire and light in equal measure. The combination of heirloom purple corn and dual oak maturation creates a smoke-kissed complexity rarely found outside peated Scotch, yet unmistakably bourbon in character. At cask strength, it's a bold, rewarding pour perfect for the theme of smoke-touched histories.

Classification: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Brand: Laphroaig

Distillery: Laphroaig Distillery

Proof: 104.4 (52.2% ABV)

Age: NAS

Color: Pale gold with straw highlights

MSRP: $90–$120

Region: Islay

Mash Bill: 100% malted barley

Distillation: Double distilled in copper pot stills

Maturation: Initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in a combination of white port and Madeira casks

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon barrels, white port casks, Madeira casks

Peat Level (PPM): ~35 - 45 ppm

Chill-Filtered: Non-chill filtered

Nose: An arresting opening salvo of maritime peat smoke, iodine, and sun-bleached seaweed gives way to unexpected sweetness — ripe peach, honeyed almonds, and white port's dried apricot character. Underneath, a delicate floral note drifts in like heather on a coastal breeze, with a whisper of beeswax and toasted coconut.

Palate: Full-bodied and intensely smoky, yet the white port and Madeira cask influence brings a lush tropical sweetness that balances the medicinal peat beautifully. Salted caramel, roasted almonds, and dried mango interweave with tarry rope, smoked lemon rind, and black pepper. The mouthfeel is oily and coating, delivering waves of complexity with each sip.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering campfire smoke, dark chocolate, Madeira-soaked raisins, and a final mineral salinity that calls you back to the glass. The interplay of sweet fortified wine and raw peat persists for minutes.

Whisky Kit Aromas: Peaty, Smoky, Medicinal, Peach, Almond, Coconut

The Verdict: This Càirdeas release is a masterclass in contrast — raw Islay peat tempered by the nuanced sweetness of white port and Madeira casks. It's at once fiercely traditional and adventurously modern, offering the smoke-lover a new dimension of complexity. A fitting annual release that rewards both loyal Laphroaig devotees and curious newcomers seeking smoke-touched elegance.

Classification: Blended Irish Whiskey

Brand: McConnell's

Distillery: Belfast Distillery Company (sourced)

Proof: 84 (42% ABV)

Age: NAS

Color: Warm amber with burnished copper edges

MSRP: $30–$40

Mash Bill: Blend of malt and grain whiskeys

Distillation: Undisclosed

Maturation: Aged in ex-bourbon barrels, finished in oloroso sherry casks

Chill-Filtered: Non-chill filtered

Nose: Toasted malt and gentle peat smoke rise first, followed by dried apricot and a waft of oloroso sherry sweetness. Underneath, there's a thread of charred oak and a faint medicinal herbal quality that nods to the smoky heritage of old Belfast whiskey.

Palate: Medium-bodied with an immediate interplay of honey-glazed nuts and soft peat smoke that stays restrained yet persistent. Sherry-driven dried fruit and milk chocolate develop mid-palate, while clove spice and a subtle earthiness add complexity without heaviness.

Finish: Medium length with lingering embers of peat smoke, cocoa powder, and a final flourish of dried orange peel and toasted grain.

Whiskey Kit Aromas: Smoky, Honey, Dried Fruit, Cocoa (Dark), Clove Spice, Malt

The Verdict: McConnell's Sherry Cask Finish revives the once-smoky tradition of Belfast whiskey-making in an approachable, affordable package. The sherry influence harmonizes beautifully with its subtle peat signature, creating a whiskey that feels both historically rooted and modern. An excellent entry point for exploring the smokier corners of Irish whiskey.

Classification: Blanco Tequila

Brand: Chamucos

Distillery: Destilería La Guarreña (NOM 1440)

Proof: 80 (40% ABV)

Age: NAS

Color: Crystal clear with faint silvery legs

MSRP: $35–$50

Agave: 100% Blue Weber Agave

Cooking Method: Traditional brick oven (horno) roasting, natural fermentation, double distilled in copper pot stills

NOM: NOM 1440

Additives Free: Yes

Nose: Opens with deeply roasted agave and a distinctive whiff of campfire smoke, unusual for a blanco and immediately captivating. Beneath the char, there are bright notes of white pepper, wet stone, and a subtle herbaceous quality reminiscent of dried sage. A faint minerality lingers, evoking volcanic soil after rain.

Palate: The palate delivers a bold cooked agave sweetness that transitions into smoky, almost ashen tones, giving this blanco a rugged, elemental character. Mid-palate reveals cracked black pepper and earthy minerality alongside citrus zest and a whisper of dried herbs. The texture is medium-bodied and slightly oily, coating the tongue with surprising depth for an unaged expression.

Finish: Medium-length finish with lingering smoke, white pepper, and a pleasant mineral bitterness that recalls the volcanic terroir of the highlands. A final echo of roasted agave keeps you reaching for another sip.

Tequila Kit Aromas: Agave (Cooked), Smoke, Pepper, Earth (Mineral, Soil Notes), Herbal (Mint, Thyme, Eucalyptus), Citrus (Lemon, Lime, Orange, Grapefruit)

The Verdict: Chamucos Diablo Blanco is a compelling blanco that bridges the gap between traditional tequila and the smoky world of mezcal, making it a perfect fit for this smoke-themed issue. Its rustic, fire-kissed character comes from traditional brick oven cooking and copper pot distillation, delivering authentic agave flavor with an ashen edge. An excellent value for those who want smoke without crossing into mezcal territory.

Classification: Seasonal Dry Gin

Brand: Letherbee

Distillery: Letherbee Distillers

Proof: 96 (48% ABV)

Age: NAS

Color: Crystal clear with faint straw tint

MSRP: $32–$40

Style: Seasonal American Dry Gin

Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, cardamom, cassia bark, ginger, star anise, fennel seed, lemon peel, orange peel, cubeb pepper

Base Spirit: Neutral grain spirit

Distillation: Pot-distilled neutral grain spirit redistilled with a proprietary botanical blend featuring juniper, coriander, cardamom, and seasonal warming spices

Nose: A brooding, wintry opening of charred birch bark, smoked black cardamom, and dried juniper berries. Underneath, wisps of toasted fennel seed and clove-studded orange peel emerge, giving the aroma a campfire-meets-spice-market complexity. A subtle earthiness—almost mushroomy—lingers at the edges.

Palate: The palate leads with resinous juniper and cracked black pepper before pivoting to warm baking spices: cinnamon bark, allspice, and a thread of smoked star anise. A velvety mouthfeel carries dried citrus peel and roasted coriander through the mid-palate, while a bitter gentian-like note adds backbone. The higher proof ensures the botanicals cut through without being overshadowed.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering woodsmoke, dried herbs, and a peppery tingle that fades into sweet juniper resin. A whisper of charred orange peel persists on the exhale.

Gin Kit Aromas: Juniper (Woody/Resinous), Peppery, Cassia Bark, Orange, Ginger, Coriander

The Verdict: Letherbee Autumnal Gin is a darkly compelling spirit that channels the smoke and spice of a harvest bonfire into a genuinely distinctive gin. Its robust botanical profile and elevated proof make it a natural fit for stirred, spirit-forward cocktails, and its smoky undertones place it squarely in dialogue with peated whisky and mezcal. A seasonal release that deserves year-round attention.

Classification: Smoked Rum

Brand: Stolen

Distillery: Stolen Spirits (sourced from Trinidad)

Proof: 82 (41% ABV)

Age: NAS

Color: Dark amber with bronze and smoky copper highlights

MSRP: $25–$30

Base Ingredients: Molasses

Distillation: Column still distillation followed by proprietary wood smoking process

Nose: Immediate campfire smoke mingles with brown sugar and toasted coconut. Underneath, there are hints of dried banana, charred oak, and a subtle sweetness reminiscent of smoked molasses.

Palate: The smoke is front and center but balanced, layered with dark caramel, roasted coffee, and a touch of vanilla. A midpalate turn reveals baking spice and charred tropical fruit, giving it an almost barbecue-like savory quality.

Finish: Medium length with lingering wood smoke, toffee, and a faint peppery warmth that slowly fades to ash.

Rum Kit Aromas: Caramel, Coffee, Molasses, Oak, Toffee, Vanilla

The Verdict: Stolen Smoked Rum is a bold and accessible expression that brings genuine smoke character to the rum category without overwhelming the spirit's inherent sweetness. It's a conversation starter that works beautifully in cocktails calling for a smoky backbone, yet it sips surprisingly well neat. An ideal bridge bottle for whisky lovers exploring rum.

Classification: IGP Pays d'Hérault

Brand: Mas de Daumas Gassac

Winery: Mas de Daumas Gassac

ABV: 13.5%

Primary Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

Blend: Approximately 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Pinot Noir, and other rare varieties from the estate's co-planted vineyards

Vineyards: Estate vineyards in the Gassac valley near Aniane, planted on unique glacial gravel and volcanic soils identified by geologist Henri Enjalbert

Maturation: Hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented in temperature-controlled concrete and stainless steel vats with extended maceration; aged in French oak barriques before bottling unfined and unfiltered

Color: Deep garnet with violet-black core and narrow ruby rim

MSRP: $45–$60

Nose: An arresting bouquet of crushed blackcurrant and dried garrigue herbs gives way to a distinctive smoky, ashen minerality that recalls a brushfire sweeping through Mediterranean scrubland. Layers of cedar, dried violet, and roasted bay leaf emerge with time, alongside a subtle hint of warm graphite.

Palate: The palate is structured and deeply concentrated, with blackcurrant and dark cherry fruit framed by fine-grained tannins and a pronounced smoky, stony minerality. Dried herbs, cracked pepper, and a touch of leather lend complexity, while bright acidity keeps everything taut and energized.

Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering notes of charred wood, iron-rich earth, and dried lavender that slowly fade into a clean, mineral close.

Wine Kit Aromas: Blackcurrant, Cedar, Violet, Gamey, Mint

The Verdict: Often called the 'Grand Cru of the Languedoc,' the 2020 Mas de Daumas Gassac Rouge captures the wild, sun-scorched garrigue landscape in every sip—an ideal companion for the Smoke-Touched Histories theme. Its combination of Cabernet Sauvignon dominance with a mosaic of rare co-planted varieties yields a wine that is simultaneously powerful and contemplative, with a smoky, earthy signature all its own.

Classification: Etna Bianco DOC

Brand: Tenuta delle Terre Nere

ABV: 12.5%

Primary Varietal: Carricante

Blend: Predominantly Carricante with small amounts of Catarratto and other local white varieties

Vineyards: Multiple vineyard sites on the north slope of Mount Etna at 600-900 meters elevation, volcanic soils of ash and lava

Vinification: Hand-harvested, gentle pressing, fermentation and aging in stainless steel on fine lees

Color: Pale straw with green-gold highlights

MSRP: $22–$30

Nose: Bright citrus peel and white flowers open to a distinctive mineral note that carries the volcanic soil's signature. Hints of green apple and a faint herbal quality add freshness.

Palate: Lean and focused, with lemon and grapefruit citrus balanced by a saline minerality that recalls the volcanic terroir. Green apple and a light honeyed note appear mid-palate, wrapped in bracing acidity.

Finish: Crisp and persistent, with a chalky mineral close and lingering citrus.

Wine Kit Aromas: Citrus (Generic), Apple (Green), Honey, Green (Cut Grass), Floral (Rose)

The Verdict: Marc de Grazia's Terre Nere estate produces wines that taste like the volcano they come from. This entry-level Etna Bianco, primarily Carricante grown on ancient lava flows, delivers remarkable complexity for its price point. The volcanic mineral signature is unmistakable — a wine that connects you directly to the land beneath the vine.

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