Don Q Double Aged Port Cask Finish Rum
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep ruby red color. The nose is beautiful, offering scents of decadent caramel and juicy Ruby Port that gives way to nutty Tawny Port, honey, and loads of brown baking spices and toasted oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with generous waves of caramel, dried orchard fruits, toasted nuts, and dense pomegranate notes. Medium to full-bodied with ideal balance as it delivers the perfect marriage of aged Rum and Port. This tasty Rum is made from a blend of the classic Don Q Rums aged five to eight years in American oak followed by three years in European Port casks. $79.99 – 4.5 Stars
Don Q Double Aged Zinfandel Cask Finish Rum
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, amber color with hints of ruby. The aromatics are so seductive that you can be satisfied nosing this Rum for hours. Vibrant red currants take the lead backed by scents of caramel, honey, and hints of allspice, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a core of red berries that phase from sweet to tart with a generous dose of vanilla, honey, oak, and rich caramel. Medium to full-bodied with perfect balance with the blend of red berries and classic aged Rum flavors. This charming Rum is made from a blend of the classic Don Q Rums aged five to eight years in American oak followed by three years in California Zinfandel casks. $79.99 – 4.5 Stars
Don Q Double Aged Cognac Cask Finish Rum
Brilliant, copper to amber color. The nose is absolutely gorgeous and complex, offering scents of deep caramel, baked apples, molasses, vanilla, and an unmistakable dose of Cognac cask with its rich brown baking spices. The palate is in agreement with the nose delivering lush caramel and fruit with silky brown butter and baking spices foiled by accents of ginger, oak, and hints of black pepper. Full-bodied with perfect balance as the spice notes and abundant acidity rival the decadent flavors. This complex Rum is made from a blend of the classic Don Q Rums aged five to eight years in American oak followed by two years in French Cognac casks. $79.99 – 5 Stars
Empress 1908 — Indigo Gin
Brilliant and beautiful, deep indigo color. The aromatics jump from the glass being very floral with bright notes of juniper and grapefruit, with an underlying earthy edge. The palate echoes the nose delivering a very sprite and vibrant botanical core that delivers floral essences with a bit of ginger heat to frame the package. Medium to full-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a bright note of acidity that keeps the complex mélange of botanicals at attention. Made from eight botanicals in Victoria, Canada. $39.99 – 4.5 Stars
Ocean Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is fresh and vibrant with scents of mineral, green tall grasses (remember that sugar cane is a grass), and wet river stones. The palate echoes the nose delivering a silky, slightly viscous center with lovely supporting notes of pepper and citrus zest that keep it dry and refreshing. Medium-bodied with subtle flavors and enough bright spice notes that add interest and length. Made in Hawaii with organic sugar cane. $29.99 – 4 Stars
Glengoyne Legacy Series: Chapter Three Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, bright golden color. The nose is quite generous and complex with scents of dried fruit soaked in Sherry cask, brown baking spices with cinnamon in the lead followed by vanilla bean. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush fruit and Sherry-driven core with waves of five spice, tropical fruits, orange peel, and cocoa nibs. Full-bodied with a sweet, opulent texture balanced by a refreshing dose of acidity and lingering pepper accents. $94.99 – 4.5 Stars
Smokehead Sherry Cask Blast Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, deep amber color. The nose is nowhere near subtle leading with classic Islay smokiness and peat with loads of brown baking spice, Sherry, and oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and sweet peat-driven core with generous amounts of fruitcake, tropical fruits, and candied ginger. Full-bodied with a viscous, nearly oily texture that lingers on for minutes tamed by sea salt, pepper, and oak. A love letter to peat heads in the bottle. $80 – 4 Stars
Tamdhu 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, pale golden color. The nose is complex and wonderfully restrained as the Sherry cask is clearly evident without trampling on the spirit offering scents of cinnamon toast, sultanas, and orange peel with hints of citrus and wild herbs. The palate confirms the nose delivering a silky fruit-driven core with ripe tropical fruits joining the dried fruit, toasted malt, oak, and Sherry and Scottish tablet accents. Medium to full-bodied with lovely spice notes rising on the finish and sufficient touches of earth and embers to add balance. $70 – 4.5 Stars
Bardstown Origin Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, golden/copper color. The nose is wonderfully fruity and floral with dried plum and apricot in the lead supported by rich caramel, wild mint, brown baking spices, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a decadent fruit and brown baking spices core, with a generous addition of spicy rye, and pleasing pepper notes. Bold flavors without being extreme featuring mature Bourbon while flashing a vibrant and youthful exuberance; it's perfectly balanced. Made with a mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley. $44.99 – 4 Stars
Bardstown Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, amber/copper color. The nose is beautifully complex while also directly offering scents of caramel cream, orange zest, baked peach, and cocoa nibs with accents of toasted oak and ginger biscuits. The palate echoes the nose delivering a stone fruit and toffee-driven core with supporting notes of brown baking spice, toasted oak, and sandalwood. Full-bodied and nicely balanced offering a rich core with very vibrant flavors, which is admirable considering the strength. Made with a mash bill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. $49.99 – 4 Stars
