Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, deep copper color. The nose is beautifully complex while also straightforward offering scents of caramel, orange zest, wild honey, and cinnamon dusted tea biscuits with accents of cocoa, oak, and ginger. The palate echoes the nose delivering a caramel and citrus-driven core with waves of brown baking spices, ginger snaps, dark chocolate, and oak. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced offering a rich core with very nimble flavors, which is quite a feat considering the strength. $22.99 – 4.5 Stars
Warship Reserved Black Strap Rum
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is very aromatic redolent of old-style Caribbean Rums with a wild scents of blackstrap molasses, grass, balsa wood, and licorice with supporting notes of raw coconut and dried coconut husks. The palate echoes the nose delivering a dry, molasses-driven core with waves of spice and grassy accents that finish crisp with a bright dose of acidity. Medium-bodied and very vibrant with a great balance of tamed, raw flavors that are perfectly balanced with a bright dose of acidity. $22 – 4 Stars
Aviation American Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are generous and complex with citrus in the lead followed closely by juniper and pine cone with supporting notes of floral lavender, orange peel, and caraway. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and silky spirit core filled with juniper and citrus with long, lingering botanical accents that become mildly earthy on the finish. Medium-bodied with a silky rich core that never feels heavy rather offering bright acidity and perfect balance. $30 – 4.5 Stars
New Holland Knickerbocker Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are quite assertive while being very soothing and pleasing with vibrant juniper in the lead supported by citrus, coriander, pine, and a bright mélange of crushed spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bold, dry juniper-driven core with generous citrus zest and ginger accents with brown spices offered in good measure. Full-bodied with a dense but fine balance of aromatic spices that is framed by vibrant acidity with just enough sweetness to provide body and a rich mouthfeel. $24.99 – 4.5 Stars
New Holland Blue Haven Blueberry Flavored Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully dense with sweet, blueberry jam with juniper is the second slot with accents of orris root and cardamon. The palate is in full agreement with the nose while being drier than expected delivering a blueberry-driven core with juniper and citrus in support creating a dry finish. Medium to full-bodied with rich and vibrant blueberry in the lead supported by citrus notes that give it an overall dry impression. $29.99 – 4.5 Stars
Palm Ridge Reserve American Whiskey
Brilliant, deep copper color. The aromatics leap from the glass offering scents of baked orchard fruits with supporting notes of caramel, honey, and roasted nuts with accents of orange peel and nutmeg. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich fruit and caramel core with flanking vibrant spice notes with hints of black pepper and toasted oak. Full-bodied with a dense grain center that never feels cloying thanks to a bright dose of fresh acidity. $55 – 4 Stars
Palm Ridge Reserve Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, deep copper color. The aromatics are quite intense with waves of rich, malted rye with supporting notes of baked peach and apple with accents of caramel and brown baking spices. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a grain-driven core with generous notes of wood and spice with accents of orange peel and allspice. Full-bodied with a dense grain center that never feels cloying thanks to a bright dose of fresh acidity. $53 – 4.5 Stars
Humboldt Distillery Small Batch - Certified Organic Vodka
See the Full BevX Featured Review - Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are pure and clean with scents of sugar-accented wet river stones with hints of vanilla bean and white pepper. The palate echoes the nose delivering a silky texture with vibrant acidity and a dose of spicy ginger on the finish. Medium-bodied with great balance and a dry, ginger/pepper finish. $24 – 4 Stars
Humboldt Distillery Small Batch - Certified Organic Spiced Rum
See the Full BevX Featured Review - Beverage of the WeekBrilliant golden color. The nose is far more subtle than expected as it offers scents of fresh fruit compote accented with vanilla bean, allspice, and baked apple. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a fruit-driven core with flanking notes of pretty brown baking spices and sweet vanilla. Medium-bodied with waves of sweet fruit and spice notes while never becoming overly sweet. $26 – 4 Stars
Humboldt Distillery Humboldt's Finest Flavored Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are fresh and vibrant with waves of dried flowers, jasmine, English Thyme, lime zest, and fennel pollen with hints of mineral and cucumber. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a soft and silky spirit core with waves of fresh and dried herbal notes accented by citrus, pepper, and mineral. Medium-bodied with superb balance and a well-proportioned herbal attack. $30 – 4.5 Stars
