Costco’s Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum, a popular choice among consumers, is produced by the renowned Sazerac Company. While Costco manages the marketing and product pricing, it relies on Sazerac—known for its whiskey and multiple rum brands—for production. This partnership allows Costco to offer a quality product at a competitive price. For instance, the 1.75-liter bottle of this spiced rum is priced just under $14, significantly lower than similar offerings from competitors like Captain Morgan and Sailor Jerry.

The flavor profile of Kirkland’s Spiced Rum is rich and inviting, with prominent notes of vanilla and spices, complemented by hints of char and citrus. This rum can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or as a flavorful addition to various cocktails. Costco also offers different varieties, such as an aged Guatemalan XO Rum, which is priced competitively at under $25 for a 750-milliliter bottle, providing excellent value compared to competitors.

Overall, Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum is praised for its quality and affordability, making it a favored choice for liquor purchases.

For further information on Kirkland products or to explore their offerings, visit Costco’s official website.

Absolut Vodka has once again collaborated with Andy Warhol, releasing a limited-edition bottle that pays homage to the beloved artist nearly 40 years after his original design. This new creation draws inspiration from Warhol’s recently rediscovered "blue" painting, which had been shrouded in mystery for years.

Andy Warhol, a pivotal figure in the Pop Art movement, became known for his distinctive style that blended art and commercialism. His fascination with ordinary consumer goods and celebrity culture defined much of his work. The partnership between Warhol and Absolut began in 1985 when Warhol became the first artist to reinterpret the brand’s iconic bottle design, using bright, bold colors. Although Warhol himself was not a drinker, he famously used Absolut Vodka as a form of cologne, adding a humorous flair to the collaboration.

In 2020, palpable excitement surged when the art world learned that Warhol had created not one, but two pieces for Absolut. The second painting, dubbed "Absolut blue," emerged at an auction in Sweden, confirming long-held speculations. This artwork is currently part of an exhibit titled “Andy Warhol, Money on the Wall” at Stockholm’s Spritmuseum, which runs until April 2025.

The new Absolut Warhol bottle reflects Warhol’s signature aesthetic, featuring a layered design that incorporates the shades from the rediscovered blue painting, along with Warhol’s iconic signature. It aims to resonate with both long-time art enthusiasts and a younger audience, fostering a celebration of Warhol’s legacy. Moreover, a portion of proceeds from the sale of each bottle will support initiatives from The Andy Warhol Foundation, which focuses on challenging societal norms in the visual arts.

Beyond the bottle, Absolut has also introduced a unique cocktail called Warhol’s Milk Punch. This nostalgic drink blends Absolut Vodka with cocoa butter, banana liqueur, lemon juice, and cornflake-infused milk. Those who purchase the bottle can scan a QR code on the label to learn how to mix this creative cocktail.

With this collaboration, Absolut honors Warhol’s enduring influence on art and consumer culture while inviting new generations to engage with both the artist and the spirit of creativity he embodied.

For more details on the exhibit and the new bottle, visit Spritmuseum and Absolut.

The Irish Whiskey Awards, recognized as the most comprehensive evaluation of Irish whiskeys globally, recently announced their winners. In a standout moment, Dunville’s 21 YO Palo Cortado Single Malt was named The Whiskey of the Year. This year’s awards saw 43 whiskies receiving gold medals, with 15 emerging as category leaders.

Dunville’s brand has a storied past, once being the best-selling Irish whiskey in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although the distillery ceased operations in 1936 and the brand went dormant for 80 years, it was revived by the Echlinville Distillery in 2012 and has since garnered numerous accolades.

The Dunville’s 21 YO Palo Cortado Single Malt is well-respected in international spirit competitions, previously being named Best Irish Single Malt at the 2023 World Whisky Awards and earning the IWA’s Whiskey of the Year title in 2022.

Tasting notes highlight its aromatic profile, including light stone fruit and overripe plum notes, with a palate rich in dark chocolate, figs, and orange marmalade. It finishes long and sweet, with subtleties of flavored pipe tobacco, seasoned oak, and various wood spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

In category wins, Dunville’s PX 10 YO Single Malt was awarded in the Irish Single Malt 11 Years and Younger/Over 60 Euros division. Other gold medalists included Keeper’s Heart 10 YO and Two Stacks x Bankers Bar 7 YO Single Malt PX Sherry Finish.

For Irish Single Malt 11 Years and Younger/Under 60 Euros, Egan’s Fortitude took the top spot, with Egan’s Endeavour also winning a gold medal. The Busker Small Batch Single Malt also entered the rankings as a gold medalist.

Beyond Dunville’s offerings, winners included McConnell’s Sherry Cask in the Irish Blended Whiskey/Age Statement category, and Dunville’s 11 YO Waterford Whiskey Society Exclusive reigned in the Irish Single Cask 11 Years and Younger category. Unfortunately, the latter is not available outside of Ireland.

Dunville’s also triumphed with Dunville’s 23 YO Single Cask 1205 Palo Cortado in the Irish Single Cask 12 Years and Older category. Other recipients included Hinch 5 YO Madeira Cask for the Irish Blended Whiskey Limited Release category and Dunville’s Three Crowns Sherry, which was the top pick among Irish Blended Whiskey No Age Statement/Under 60 Euros.

The 2024 Irish Whiskey Awards highlighted the burgeoning Irish whiskey scene, particularly the success of Northern Ireland distilleries in the single malt realm. With 43 operational distilleries and many more in planning, the market has expanded dramatically, boasting an export volume exceeding one billion euros annually.

If you appreciate Irish whiskey, this year’s awards present a wealth of new options waiting to be explored, showcasing the exciting evolution within this flavorful category.

Spicy Korean gochujang pairs wonderfully with creamy pumpkin in this quick and easy fall pasta dish.

Craig brings to the table both culinary expertise and professional experience gathered from his time in various restaurants. He is a passionate reader of food media and a devoted cook, having honed his skills in recipe testing and development throughout his culinary education and restaurant career.

Food & Wine / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Pumpkin, cream, and gochujang blend seamlessly with tomato paste to create a rich, spicy, and satisfying pasta alla vodka. Use paccheri pasta to soak up as much sauce as possible; its large tubes are perfect for holding the hearty flavors of the dish. Gochujang, the savory Korean chili paste, balances the sweetness of the pumpkin; feel free to adjust the quantity to suit your taste preferences and spice tolerance. If you like, add chopped fresh cilantro or scallions for an extra touch of color.

Vodka sauce is a flavorful tomato-based sauce that uses vodka instead of wine, providing an enhanced complexity, acidity, and richness. The addition of cream gives it an incredibly luxurious texture.

You can substitute vodka with other types of alcohol like white wine, red wine, brandy, or sherry. If you prefer to avoid alcohol altogether, you can use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even apple juice as a replacement. 

It’s important to reserve a significant amount of pasta cooking water for this recipe, as it helps in thinning out the pumpkin. Make sure to save more pasta water than you anticipate needing to guarantee you have sufficient amounts available.

For storage, keep the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will last for up to four days.

12 ounces of paccheri or rigatoni pasta

1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, plus additional for the pasta cooking water

3 tablespoons of unsalted butter

1 medium yellow onion, chopped (approximately 1 1/4 cups)

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1/4 cup gochujang

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 cup vodka

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated, plus additional for garnish (approximately 1/2 cup)

1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)

Cracked black pepper

In a large saucepan or pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package until it reaches an al dente texture, which should take around 10 to 12 minutes. After cooking, drain the pasta, but make sure to reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water.

While the pasta is cooking, melt some butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion along with a pinch of salt, and sauté, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened and translucent, which should take about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the minced garlic during the last minute of this cooking time.

Next, add the gochujang and tomato paste to the skillet. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly until the mixture darkens in color, which will take around 2 minutes. Pour in the vodka and continue to stir, scraping up any browned bits that have settled at the bottom of the pan. Cook until most of the alcohol has evaporated, approximately 2 minutes.

Incorporate the pumpkin and cream into the mix, allowing it to simmer over medium heat. Next, introduce the cooked pasta, cheese, and half a cup of the reserved pasta cooking water. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the sauce becomes glossy and clings to the pasta. Adjust the consistency by adding the pasta cooking water, two tablespoons at a time, as needed, which should take around three minutes. Once finished, remove from heat and stir in the fish sauce, if desired. Serve the dish evenly in four bowls, topping it with additional grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper.

A man accused of being a ‘poisoner’ is facing serious charges of high treason and terrorism for allegedly attempting to eliminate a group of Russian air force pilots by contaminating their cake and Irish whiskey during an aviation school reunion.

Yegor Semenov, 34, may face a life sentence if found guilty in his forthcoming trial within a military court. Russian prosecutors claim he was enlisted by the Ukrainian military intelligence to execute this mass poisoning plot.

Reports indicate that boxes of Jameson Irish Whiskey and an enormous cake—both poisoned—were sent to a reunion at the Armavir Higher Military Aviation School, where nearly 80 guests gathered, including numerous airmen who participated in the conflict.

Semenov was arrested last year after being pinpointed as the individual responsible for the poisoning efforts. Allegedly, he placed an order for the cake from a nearby bakery and can be seen in video footage purchasing the whiskey bottles.

As the charges against him for high treason and terrorism have surfaced, he has been seen publicly for the first time as he awaits his military trial in Rostov-on-Don. During the festivities, a 20-kilogram cake was prepared but ultimately not consumed after a senior officer grew suspicious about its source.

CCTV footage and facial recognition technology led authorities to identify Semenov, who hails from Melitopol, a region currently under occupation in Ukraine. It was reported that he possessed a Russian passport but was allegedly recruited by the intelligence services in Kyiv.

An unverified report indicated that both the cake and whiskey had been laced with the medical drug cordiamine, which is known to potentially induce seizures, convulsions, cardiovascular strain, and severe respiratory issues.

Semenov, a powerlifter who had been involved in the installation of video surveillance systems, was taken into custody and reportedly admitted to the attempted poisoning. “He quickly divulged everything—about the cake containing a potent toxin, which bottles had been poisoned from the start, and which he had purchased to supplement the gift,” shared the Fighterbomber Telegram channel.

“He detailed how he was aware of the guest count and the venue for the celebration. Even the emblem of the aviation school, sketched atop the cake, was the latest design.”

The channel reported: “Fortunately, due to the diligence of the officers who set aside the anonymous cake and alcohol, there was no opportunity for anyone to consume the cake or drink the alcohol. It could have resulted in a catastrophe. There were 77 guests. Semenov was apprehended at Stavropol airport as he was attempting to depart from Russia, as alleged.

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