Below is a quick look at our latest reviews published at BevX January 24, 2024. Click the links to get the score and the full analysis of each beverage. Every Wednesday we release new stories, introduce our latest reviews, and send our subscribers their weekly, free digital newsletter. (Subscribe here.)
We had another busy week at BevX with new, tasty beverage reviews to share.
We have shifted our reviews format in order to offer more reviews for our review hungry readers. The review pages (links below) will now offer a full tasting note with links to a full detail review for our Featured Beverages.
As always you see all of our reviews here:
Beverage of the Week
Ransom Old Tom Gin
Old Tom style Gins are popping up with greater regularity these days. We love the broader palate and lush texture of this style of Gin. Ransom is a true craft producer and we encourage you to seek out their great lineup of products — Old School in the best possible way.
See the Beverage of the Week feature
Latest Reviews
Wine Reviews
Graham’s Six Grapes Oporto
Brilliant, dark ruby/purple color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black cherry and boysenberry with supporting notes of dried fruits, five spice, and black currant. The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, pomegranate, raspberry, and tamarind. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a lush, juicy texture. $28 – 4.5 Stars/94 points
Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Oporto
Brilliant, medium scarlet color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of fig, roasted nuts, and orange peel with supporting notes of quince, oolong tea, and honey. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of fruitcake, five spice, kumquat, and hints of sour cherry. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a velvety yet sprite texture. $42 – 4 Stars/93 points
Dow’s LBV Oporto 2018
Brilliant, dark ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black currant, boysenberry, and cassis with supporting notes of blueberry, five spice, and accents of slate. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black plum, elderberry, mulberry, and hints of old balsamic. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $28 – 4 Stars/93 points
Cockburn’s Special Reserve Oporto
Brilliant, dark ruby color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of red cherry and date with supporting notes of elderberry, five spice, and hints of slate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of red plum, boysenberry, and mulberry. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a voluptuous texture. $22 – 4 Stars/93 points
Cockburn’s Tails of the Unexpected White Heights Oporto
Brilliant, light gold/green color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of honeysuckle, lychee, and white peach with supporting notes of jasmine, pineapple, and hints beeswax. The palate echoes the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of guava, orange peel, and passion fruit. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a waxy yet vibrant texture. $30 – 4 Stars/90 points
Blandy’s 10 Year Old Malmsey Madeira
Brilliant, deep mahogany to amber color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of toffee, baked apple, and caramel with supporting notes of dried fruits and hints of ginger biscuits. The palate confirms the nose delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of fig, kumquat, honey, and accents of citrus zest. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant yet opulent texture. $33.50 – 4.5 Stars/94 points
Spirits Reviews
Tamdhu 15 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, deep copper to amber color. The aromatics are complex and robust offering scents of Sherry cask, candied orange peel, and brown baking spices with hints of black currants and malt. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a silky fruit-driven core with ripe tropical fruits joining the dried apricot, toasted malt, ginger, Sherry, and Scottish tablet accents. Full-bodied with lovely spice notes rising on the finish with loads of Sherry and honey. $149.99 – 4 Stars
Smokehead Original Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, medium amber color. The nose offers the essence of Islay in a glass with waves of campfire smoke, peat, heavy sea breezes, and toasted malted barley. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a full, sweet punch of peppery peat contrasted by honey malt, citrus zest, and brown baking spices. Full-bodied with a vibrant yet oily texture that lingers on for minutes filled with smoke, peat, and spice. $66.99 – 4.5 Stars
Smokehead High Voltage Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, medium amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of peat fires and smoked meats supported by rich, roasted malted barley with hints of sea salt and seaweed. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich fruitcake and smoked meat-focused core with waves of honey, campfire, chocolate, and black pepper. Full-bodied with a viscous and meaty texture that lingers on for minutes tamed by sea salt, pepper, and oak. $89.99 – 4 Stars