Partida Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
See the Full BevX Featured Review - Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is amazingly complex offering rustic notes of baked agave with loads of salty aromatics ranging from green olives to pickles and capers with hints of earth and pineapple skins. The palate delivers a silky entry with dry tropical fruit on the mid-palate with loads of black and white pepper, lime zest, and sea salt. The second sip is far more rich and elegant with flanking notes of spice, honey, and dried herbs. This blanco is wonderfully intense while vibrant and refreshing as well. It walks the line between delicate and rustic in the best possible way. $45 – 5 Stars
West Cork Original Blended Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is quite refreshing and complex with scents of toasted grain mingling with honey, heather, tangerine zest, caramel, and baked apples. The palate echoes the nose offering a dense and chewy grain and malt core with loads of support with rich honey and caramel notes foiled by a generous dose of acidity and fine wood tannins. Moderately intense on entry the round and mildly viscous core elongates the palate leading to a spicy, peppery, wood laced finish. $26.99 – 4 Stars
Molinari Caffè Liqueur
See the Full BevX Featured Review -Brilliant, dark mahogany being nearly opaque. The nose offers the aromas of freshly roasted beans rather than brewed coffee with accents of cocoa bean, anise, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla. The palate is reflective of the nose delivering a complex mélange of coffee bean notes that opens sweet and becomes increasingly dry offering crushed bean notes on the finish. This coffee based liqueur is bold and assertive but it's also quite vibrant and fresh inviting sip after sip. $25.99 – 4.5 Stars
Molinari Extra Sambuca
See the Full BevX Featured Review - Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. Pure, fresh anise seeds dominate the aromatics but there are many, subtle underlying notes that emerge such as kaffir lime leaf, fenugreek, and green peppercorns. The palate confirms the nose delivering a pure and potent anise focused blast of flavor with just enough sugar to tame the fiery spice notes. While this great liqueur is slightly over-proof you never feel any of the alcohol heat. It's beautifully intense in the nose and on the palate as it somehow manages to be refreshing and vibrant despite its richness. $25.99 – 5 Stars
St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear. As you would imagine the nose is quite floral with scents of wild spring flowers in the lead supported by ripe green melon, white grapes, mango, kiwi, and star fruit with a dose of tangerine zest. The palate is in full accord with the nose offering up waves of white peach with loads of floral and tropical fruit notes flanked by a crisp dose of acidity and subtle citrus zest note. Rich but very vibrant with fresh acidity framing the bright, fruit-driven core. Ideally balanced with a bright, almost airy finish. $19.99 – 4.5 Stars
Haig Club Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal CLEAR. The aromas are simply beautiful with scents of butterscotch, fresh and baked apples, Calvados, pine needles, black pepper, shaved oak, and tropical fruits including raw coconut. The palate fully confirms the nose while being a bit more firm with a grip of cold, green tea tannins and a further pronounced black pepper note that flanks the lush fruit core. This is definitely a lighter styled whisky but it's far from faint. It's wonderfully complex with a great balance and a good bit of length. $70 – 3.5 Stars
Seraphin VSOP Cognac
Bright, copper color. The nose is wonderfully fruity veering toward Calvados (apples) with its aromatic signature accented by notes of clove, allspice, and oak. The palate is soft on entry with a peppery back and palate finish. Medium-bodied while being decidedly sweet and slightly viscous. $57 – 3 Stars
Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Beautiful amber color. A complex nose of toasted malt, dates and figs with a prominent sweet Sherry quality. The palate is soft and semi-lush with sherry sweetness, nutmeg, allspice, and dried fruits. Medium-bodied with nice balance and long lingering flavors. $65 – 3.5 Stars
Nardini Aquavite di Vinaccia alla Ruta - Flavored Grappa Grappa
Crystal clear with faint cooper-green color. The nose is amazingly complex offering scents of dried blueberry laced with the wild herbal aroma of rue (an herb thought to have sundry medicinal properties). The palate is wildly fruity touched with fresh, green herbs and green tea tannins. Medium-bodied with nice balance and long lingering flavors. I find it to be fascinating. An original flavor that will evoke a love or hate response.$65 – 3 Stars
Brugal Anejo Rum
Deep amber color. Seductively smells of English toffee, marzipan, nougat, hazelnuts and butter. Off-dry tastes of dark caramel and bittersweet chocolate. It may seem too luscious to mix but try it anyway as it adds great depth to your favorite Rum cocktails. $25 – 3.5 Stars
