Christian Drouin 1997 Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, deep amber color. The aromatics are quite fresh and youthful with ripe, whole apples in the lead supported by scents of bright citrus, spring flowers, and blanched nuts with hints of oak and allspice. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bright and ripe fruit-driven core with the Pommeau influence being quite evident. The flavors linger on with spice notes of allspice and cinnamon rising with a dose of rancio on the finish. Medium to full-bodied displaying perfect balance as the rich fruit and spice are equaled by bright acidity and oak. $163.99 – 4.5 Stars
Laphroaig Cairdeas Madeira Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant copper color. The aromatics are both exotic and intense offering scents of sweet turf fire with blood orange, sea salt, baked apple, dried chili, anise seed, and nougat. The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a lush and vibrant fruit and peat mélange ideally framed by brown baking spices, oak, and citrus. Being Laphroaig you know it's not going to be a wallflower. It's quite intense but wonderfully complex and perfectly balanced. $74.99 – 5 Stars
Gautier VS Cognac
See the Full BevX Featured Review -Brilliant bronze color. The nose is quite pretty with waves of fruits ranging from poached pears to tropical fruits with a touch of peach marmalade, ginger biscuits, and dried apricot with hints of vanilla and cocoa nibs. The palate certainly echoes the nose delivering a fruit-forward core with waves of brown baking spices, toasted oak, and and subtle pepper accents. Medium-bodied with a perfect balance of flavors, as well as balanced acidity to ripe fruit. $34.99 – 4 Stars
Gautier VSOP Cognac
See the Full BevX Featured Review -Brilliant amber color. The aromatics are beautiful and intense with baked orchard fruits (apple, pear, and peach) leading the way supported by caramel, vanilla, dried fruits, subtle earth notes, and spicy oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a fruit-driven core with waves of caramel and toffee, accented with brown baking spices, dark chocolate, a hint of ginger, and orange peel. Medium to full-bodied with a lush core while exhibiting a great vibrancy thanks to a generous dose of acidity and bright spice notes. $49.99 – 4.5 Stars
Gautier Gold & Blue XO Cognac
See the Full BevX Featured Review - Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep amber color. The aromatics are simply amazing offering a marriage of fruit and spice that can only be found in an elite spirit with extended aging. Scents of cinnamon accented baked fruits, rich caramel, and dried tropical fruits fill the nose supported by dark chocolate, earth, leather, mineral, and oak. The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a lush and decadent fruit-centric core with gorgeous flanking notes of brown baking spice, toffee, cocoa, vanilla, and toasted oak. Full-bodied with a lush, creamy core balanced with acid, spice, and delicate citrus zest accents. $134.99 – 5 Stars
Spytail Black Ginger Flavored Rum
Brilliant, deep mahogany color. The nose is filled with the scents of sweet Rum, cola, and brown baking spices, along with a generous dose of candied ginger and hints of tropical fruits. On the palate this flavored Rum becomes decidedly more angular with sharp spice and ginger notes and a strong medicinal flavors that overwhelms. Medium-bodied with compartmentalized and competing flavors. $22.99 – 2.5 Stars
Glenfarclas 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant amber with hints of gold. The very expressive nose is dense with scents of rich fruitcake, caramel, Sherry, roasted walnuts, toffee, and ginger biscuits. The palate echoes the nose delivering waves of decadent fruit, spice, and malt finishing with a generous dose of sweet Sherry and a touch of earth. Full-bodied and perfectly proportioned with a bright dose of acidity and bright spice accents. $54.99 – 4.5 Stars
Glenfarclas 21 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, deep golden/amber. The aromatics are rich and complex with scents of sweet Sherry, nutmeg, baked apple, tropical fruits, caramel, and wildflower honey with accents of vanilla and whips of smoke. The palate in is full accord with the nose delivering waves of Sherry-soaked fruits with flanking notes of brown baking spice, with hints of smoke, vanilla, and citrus. Full-bodied while showing perfect balance as the lush flavors are ideally foiled by bright acidity and spice accents. $124.99 – 5 Stars
Penderyn Madeira Single Malt Welsh Whisky
Brilliant golden color. The nose reveals scents of wild flora with waves of toffee, fruitcake, and vanilla bean with accents of oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering generous but delicate flavors of dried fruits with cream and a bright dose of brown baking spices. Medium-bodied with generous fruit notes met by bright acidity and crisp spice accents. $69.99 – 4 Stars
Highland Park Fire Edition 15 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant amber color. The aromatics are quite beautiful with waves of red fruits layered with rich, sweet malt supported by notes of brown baking spices, fruit cake, vanilla, and hints of chocolate. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush fruit and malt-driven core with generous spice and oak notes. It's a full-bodied Whisky for sure with generous fruit and malt flavors balanced with bright acidity and spice accents. $300 – 4.5 Stars
