Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is big and complex with rich caramel and baked grain notes supported by a collection of brown baking spices that include clove, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg with dried black fruit, ginger biscuits, vanilla, and toasted oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a silky and spicy, grain driven core with sweet honey notes and drier spices like black pepper emerging on the finish. This is a hearty Whiskey with many layers that become more defined and enjoyable with the addition of water. This is one of the most ideally balanced Rye Whiskies you will encounter. $37.99 – 5 Stars
G'Vine Nouaison Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is quite unique and complex with scents of forest floor inclusive of dry pine needles in the lead with cinnamon and allspice in support by semisweet lime notes, nutmeg, and a juniper flourish. The palate is in full agreement as this rogue Gin delivers a rich and chewy juniper center flanked by a generous dose of sharp citrus zest with forest floor and citrus pulp. This is a powerful Gin with a lush fruity and spicy core. $35.99 – 4 Stars
Don Q 151 Rum
See the Full BevX Featured Review - Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. Wow! This is simply amazing and complex offering scents of dried and baked fruits, cigar box, caramel, toffee, vanilla, brown butter, cocoa, fudge, cola nut, and brown baking spices. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose being impossibly rich and creamy despite its obvious strength finishing with notes of black pepper and blast of alcohol. It's as intense as it gets while being surprisingly silky and gentle with a rich and chewy mouthfeel. $24.99 – 5 Stars
Calvados Boulard VSOP Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, crystal clear. Wonderfully aromatic, filling the nose with the scents of baked and fresh apples with supporting notes of nutmeg, toasted walnuts, charred oak, brown butter, and a hint of clove. The palate confirms the nose with more vibrant, fresh apple notes emerging with a soft vanilla bean note flanking the rich fruit. Subtle and complex while offering a rich, and generous fruit-driven core with perfect balance as bright acidity is present from entry to finish. $$45 – 4 Stars
Amarula Cream Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear. The first thing you notice is an unexpected fruit and citrus-like aromatic that defies the appearance. Scents of roasted nuts, nutmeg, and vanilla are also found. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a rich, fruity and nutty core with flavors of cashew butter, star fruit, and toffee cream. This is a rich and mouth filling liqueur with a surprising vibrancy that keeps it from becoming heavy or cloying. $19.99 – 4.5 Stars
Lucano Amaro
Brilliant, crystal clear. It's very aromatic with rich fruit compote featuring bitter cherries and citrus zest with wild flowers, brown baking spices, and accents of vanilla, wild honey, clove, and hints of anise. The palate confirms the nose being lush and silky offering a mild spice impression as compared with many Amaro while never being overly sweet or cloying. Vibrant while lush and satisfying with a viscosity that lingers for a good minute. Ideally balancing spice, fruit, and sweet flavors in total harmony. $29.99 – 4 Stars
Limoncello di Capri Limoncello
See the Full BevX Featured Review - Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is alive with the scents of lemon zest and sweetened lemon juice. The palate mirrors the nose while being far more intense delivering a vibrant and generous lemon-focused core with the sugar being balanced by a peppery note in the form of the fresh essential oils. Wonderfully intense and refreshing with fresh, sweet lemon notes bursting on the palate. $25.99 – 5 Stars
Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur
See the Full BevX Featured Review - Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose reveals vibrant ginger aromas married with brown sugar with hints of citrus. Its aromatics profile is a dead-ringer for my homemade ginger syrup. The palate is in full accord with the nose with a rich, silky entry that soon gives way to flavors of freshly grated ginger. The finish builds in peppery intensity and lingers on for minutes. The Barrow's Intense is truly intense with a fresh and assertive ginger note that delivers the flavors and power that ginger lovers desire. $31 – 4 Stars
The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose offers a very pretty marriage of apples and pears, grain, and brown baking spices with accents of oak, tropical fruits, honey, and citrus. The palate echoes the nose offering a balance of sweet malt and baked fruit supported by a generous does of spice and oak finishing with a sharp black pepper note. Rich and bold with a fresh dose of acidity and loads of spices. This is not a beginners' dram. $34.99 – 4 Stars
Greenore 8 Years Old Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, golden color. The nose offers sweet grain and grass notes with accents of lemon peel, vanilla, and honey, and a touch of smoke. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet grain core with touches of baked apple and pear not immediately evident in the nose. It finishes with a sweet citrus zest note with a kick of toasted oak. This is a wonderfully rich and decadent Whiskey with fresh citrus and spice notes and a nice dose of acidity. $49.99 – 4 Stars
