Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully aromatic with waves of bright juniper supported by fresh citrus, green tea, and spring flowers with just a hint of pepper. The palate echoes the nose delivering a generous but sprite citrus-driven core with sweet orange in the lead with accents of lemongrass, anise, lemon, and earth. Full-bodied with a silky entry that is soon met with a balancing citrus attack that leads to a long, lingering finish that begs another sip. Made with a grain spirit and 11 botanicals. $49.99 – 4 Stars
Doorly's XO Rum
Deep amber color. The nose is filled with rich, ripe fruits, brown sugar, sweet caramel, and allspice. The palate echoes the nose delivering sweet fruit and honey with brown butter finish with accents of sweet oak and brown spice. Medium to full-bodied and decadent with sweet Sherry cask dominating from the nose to the finish. $20 – 3.5 Stars
Kilbeggan Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, golden color. The nose offers scents of sweet grain with vanilla fudge and subtle accents of citrus and nutmeg. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet grain core with assertive black pepper and oak notes with a hearty dose of wood tannins. Medium-bodied with rich, sweet grain notes that are overwhelmed by alcohol heat and spice with astringent wood accents rising on the finish. $29.99 – 3 Stars
2 Gingers Blended Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. Vibrant while delicate with sweet grain and malty scents in the lead supported by honey, soft caramel, vanilla, and nutmeg with hints of orange zest. The palate confirms the nose delivering soft and silky malt driven flavors with a sweet fruity edge and a very spicy finish featuring black pepper and ginger (am I being persuaded by the title?). Medium-bodied with with lush but vibrant flavors with far too much going on to be labeled "light." $19.99 – 3 Stars
Di Antonio Amaretto Cream Liqueur
Thick, tan and creamy. A muted nose with soft scents of almond cream with candied nuts and a hint of mocha. Quite viscous on the palate with a very sweet Amaretto flavor on the front palate that quickly fades to not much more than sugar and cream. Medium-bodied while being thick on the palate and a bit flabby. Serve over ice. $15 – 3 Stars
Corazón Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is rather pretty and more subtle than the blanco offering scents of baked agave, caramel, allspice, nutmeg and hints of citrus. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush core that showcases the baked agave while becoming woody at times leading to a long finish punctuated by caramel and brown spices. Medium-bodied with a rich core that becomes drier on the finish providing a vibrant dose of acidity. $29.99 – 3.5 Stars
Kilbeggan Blended Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose reveals a grain focused Whiskey with hints of clover honey, orange zest, and black pepper, with hints of clove, and a green grassy accent. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose. It's very malty with a generous dose of honey and soft brown baking spice notes. Medium-bodied with a silky, lush core with semisweet malt notes. $23.99 – 4 Stars
Laird's 10th Generation Bottled in Bond 5 Years Old Apple Brandy
Brilliant amber color. The aromatics are very generous featuring both baked apple and sweet, ripe apple juice with accents of toffee, caramel, kirsch, brown baking spice, vanilla bean, and charred oak barrels. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, apple-driven core with generous notes of caramel, roasted nuts, allspice, ginger biscuits, black pepper, and subtle campfire accents. Full-bodied with rich, sweet fruit supported by loads of spice and bright acidity giving perfect balance. A beautiful bottled-in-bond apple Brandy from Laird's. $41.99 – 4.5 Stars
Laird's Applejack Apple Brandy
Brilliant, bronze to amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of baked apples with accents of sweet, charred oak, caramel, vanilla fudge, and hints of five-spice. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich yet sprite, apple-driven core with supporting notes of brown baking spices, sweet caramel, oak, and cinnamon. Full-bodied with sweet fruit supported by a generous dose of spice and caramel balanced with bright acidity. This is an American classic and it's as good as ever. $24.99 – 9 Stars
Paddy Blended Irish Whiskey
Bright, light golden color. The nose is fresh with scents of toasted grain, vanilla, and hints of dried fruits. The palate continues where the nose leaves off offering a great marriage of grain and fruit with accents of toasted almonds, dry wood notes, and black pepper. Available in the US on a limited basis, this latest offering of the old Paddy Whiskey is better than ever. $ – 3.5 Stars
