Coopers' Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant bronze color. The nose is wonderfully delicate while generous with scents of sweet oak, baked orchard fruits, and caramel, with hints of citrus zest, vanilla cream, and brown sugar. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but sprite fruit driven core redolent of a richly spiced apple pie with toasted oak and sweet cinnamon rising on the finish. Medium-bodied with good length and ideal balance thanks a bright dose of acidity. After aging this Bourbon runs through a special beech and birch charcoal filter finishing process that contributes to its soft and silky texture. $21.99 – 4 Stars
Coopers' Craft Barrel Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, deep bronze color. The nose is filled with bold scents of charred oak, baked apples, and brown baking spices with accents of saddle leather, vanilla cream, and dark honey. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich and assertive brown sugar, fruit, and oak forward core with flanking notes of brown spice, black pepper, and vanilla. Full-bodied with bold fruit, caramel, and oak flavors the keep fresh due to bright acidity and ideal balance. Aged in house-crafted barrels that feature textured, hewn interior staves that when charred create a tremendous amount of surface space that infuse this bold Bourbon with a deeply charred oak character. $29.99 – 4.5 Stars
Fords Officers' Reserve Overproof London Dry Gin
See the Full BevX Featured Review - Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear with a very pale straw hue. The aromatics of this Navy Strength Gin offers juniper, coriander, and citrus in equal measure with accents of brown spice and dried flowers in support. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and oily center palate with bold bursts of juniper, orange, grapefruit, and sweet herbal and spice notes dominate the core that becomes increasingly drier on the finish with vibrant citrus zest accents. Full-bodied with ideal balance and a texture, which is no small feat considering its considerable strength (54.5 abv). The Fords Officer's Reserve does not disappoint as it displays the same complexity and style of the original with a bold proof and subtle Sherry cask highlights. $34.99 – 5 Stars
Roaming Man Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, deep copper with hints of burgundy. The nose is incredibly intense offering a dense core of rich caramel with waves of vanilla cream, butterscotch, and brown baking spices with accents of black pepper, cigar box, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush caramel and brown butter core with loads of spice, oak, and dried red fruits. Full-bodied with decadent flavors that linger on the palate for minutes finishing with pepper and bright acidity. It's an unforgettable Rye. $45 – 4.5 Stars
Laphroaig Select Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant golden color. The nose is beautiful and classically Laphroaig with sweet campfire, peat, baked green apples, and coconut with subtle citrus and tropical accents. The palate is in full-agreement with the nose delivering a lush and sweet fruit, smoke, and peat core that trails off a bit quick. Medium to full-bodied with classic Laphroaig attributes while it falls a bit short of the classic Laphroaig proportions, balance and finish. $44.99 – 3.5 Stars
Old Forester 100 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, deep copper color. The nose is explosive with waves of rich caramel and sassafras with accents of wild flowers, citrus zest, allspice, and subtle hints of dried red berries. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush yet spicy brown sugar and brown spice core with flanking notes of black pepper, nutmeg, baked orchard fruits, and vibrant citrus notes. Full-bodied with intense raw sugar notes foiled by loads of spice, oak, and generous acidity. A steal in the Rye Whiskey category. Add a generous drop or two of water to get the full aromatic and flavor experience. $22.99 – 4.5 Stars
Silent Pool Gin
See the Full BevX Featured Review -Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is amazingly aromatic with waves of bright juniper supported by generous notes of dried flowers and citrus with a subtle sweet honey accent. The palate echoes the nose delivering a dense and nearly chewy juniper-forward spirit with an impossibly complex mélange of spices in support finishing dry with a faint earthy tone. Full-bodied with gusto to spare being both assertive and elegant while ultimately finishing dry. Made with an intriguing four-stage process that utilizes 24 botanicals. An unforgettable Gin with great versatility. $59.99 – 4.5 Stars
Cruzan Hurricane Proof Rum
Brilliant amber/orange color. The nose is filled with the scents of vanilla fudge, dried fruit, and honey with hints of treacle and brown baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering a powerful golden syrup-centric core with waves of brown spice, vanilla, and sweet oak. Full-bodied to be sure, bottled over-proof with generous sweet vanilla and decadent golden syrup notes at its core. Bottled at 137 proof in recognition of the wind speeds of the category 5 hurricane that swept through the brand's home island of St. Croix in 2017. $19.99 – 3.5 Stars
Clyde May's Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant amber color. The nose is vibrant offering scents of honeycomb, dried fruits, and vanilla bean with accents of star anise, dried flowers, leather, and black pepper. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, dried fruit core with waves of dried orange peel, loads of brown baking spices, and butter biscuits. Full-bodied with generous fruit and spice notes kept in balance by a bright dose of acidity that creates a dry, peppery finish. Aged for three-plus years, the Clyde May's Rye is great addition to the lineup. $44.99 – 4.5 Stars
McQueen and the Violet Fog Gin
Brilliant crystal clear. The nose is quite alluring offering generous scents of wild flowers, candied lemon peel, and anise with supporting note of evergreens, pepper, and citrus. The palate echoes the nose delivering a complex and spicy citrus-driven core that is redolent of orange and lime with accents of juniper, pepper, and tropical flowers. Medium to full-bodied with ideal balance offering rich fruit notes with generous acidity and spice to foil to lush core. Made in Brazil – yes Brazil! The sugarcane based spirit is infused with 21 botanicals including six that are apparently not found in any other Gin. Hedonistic and delicious. $34.99 – 4.5 Stars
