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
Bardstown Origin Series Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, deep copper to amber color. The nose is vibrant offering scents of wild flowers, rich red fruits, cinnamon, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a slightly viscous sweet grain and fruit core with loads of baking spices with hints of caramel. Full-bodied with great length and ideal balance and bright acidity. Made with a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. $49.99 – 3.5 Stars
Luxardo Espresso Liqueur
Brilliant, dark mahogany color. The nose is filled with scents of dark roasted espresso beans with supporting notes of dark chocolate with hints of vanilla bean and brown sugar. The palate is in full agreement with the nose while being a bit sweeter as the sugar adds depth to the espresso elongating the palate with notes of vanilla bean and cocoa nibs. Full-bodied and generous with espresso and supporting flavors — ideal for cocktails. $24.99 – 4 Stars
Saxtons Snowdrop Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is subtle and delicate with scents of talc, mineral, and wet paper. The palate confirms the nose delivering a soft, mineral-driven core with supporting notes of pepper, citrus zest, and sweet corn. Medium-bodied with subtle flavors and enough bright pepper notes to keep it balanced. $26.99 – 3 Stars
