King of Kentucky Barrel No. 7 — 2021 14 Years Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, deep amber color. The nose is alluring and complex with notes of sweet fruit cake, dense caramel, vanilla bean, and dark chocolate with accents of candied orange peel and brown baking spices. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a dense, caramel and orchard fruit compote with waves of brown baking spices, toasted coconut, and sweet, charred oak. Full-bodied with a complex and dense palate that greatly evolves with water and aeration. Sip slowly as it's not cheap and there are just 2,700 bottles available. $250 – 5 Stars
Grinta Amaro di Erbe
Brilliant, deep emerald green color. The aromatics are quite assertive, offering lovely scents of fresh peppermint, eucalyptus, and chamomile, with supporting notes of rhubarb, bitter root, and wild flowers. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering silky, semisweet herbal core redolent of green Chartreuse meeting a fragrant Gin in all its glory. Medium to full-bodied with incredible complexity, length, and balance. $39 – 4 Stars
Rossi d'Angera Spitz Genziana Liqueur
Brilliant, deep golden amber color. The nose is wonderfully floral with sweet herbs, earth, complex citrus accents ranging from orange peel, grapefruit, lemon, and lime. The palate echoes the nose delivering a more bitter than sweet herbal core with waves of citrus and earthy root notes that build on the long finish. Medium-bodied with amazingly complex aromatics and flavors punctuated but a generous dose of natural acidity making it an ideal aperitif. Beautifully expressive while being drier than its French counterparts. $29.99 – 4.5 Stars
Zyr Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is quite expressive while still displaying a Vodka-proper of neutrality while subtly offering scents of an eclectic blend of fresh cereal grains with a lovely note of slate. The palate echoes the nose delivering a silky grain-focused core with waves of dried herbs, black pepper, and subtle fruit accents. Medium-bodied with a rich, velvet-like texture while delivering bright acidity resulting in perfect balance. $27.99 – 4.5 Stars
Regal Rogue Wild Rosé Vermouth
Brilliant, pale burnt orange color. The nose is beautifully fruity with waves of strawberry, red plum, and kumquat with accents of five spice, sweet rhubarb, and hibiscus flowers. The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a marriage of crushed red berries and tropical fruits with subtle spice and mineral accents. Medium-bodied with ideal balance and generous red fruit flavors foiled by tart fruits and vibrant acidity. Made with organic Rosé of Cabernet, strawberry gum, rosella, and Illawara plums among other botanicals. $19.99 – 4.5 Stars
George Dickel 8 Years Old Bourbon Whisky
Brilliant copper to amber color. The nose is very expressive offering scents of baked apples, cherry, vanilla bean, orange peel, and accents of roasted nuts. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush fruit and toffee-driven core with supporting notes of almond, five spice, toasted oak, and cashew butter. Full-bodied while being ideally proportioned, wearing its overproof strength well and offering bright notes of acidity that keeps this mature Bourbon vibrant. null $34 – 5 Stars
George Bowman Colonial Era Dark Caribbean Rum
Brilliant, deep mahogany color. The nose is generous with rich, dried fruits, caramel, and honey with subtle accents of toasted coconut and vanilla bean with oak. The palate confirms the nose with dense flavors of molasses and brown sugar with hints of marzipan, and tannic oak, and brown spice notes. Medium to full-bodied and well-balanced with lingering sugar and spice. $29.99 – 4 Stars
Mezcal Campante Artesanal Joven, 100% Agave Mezcal
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are wonderfully complex and alluring, focused on sweet smoke with supporting notes of baked, caramelized pineapple, fresh herbs, wild flowers, and citrus with hints of eucalyptus and vanilla bean. The palate confirms the nose delivering a decadent baked agave core with prominent waves of smoke, orange peel, and vanilla with accents of black pepper and sandalwood on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with a silky texture with ideal balance thanks to bright citrus and subtle spice notes. Made with Espadin and Barril agave grown in the fertile soils of Oaxaca. $64.99 – 4.5 Stars
Booker's 2021-02 — Tagalong Batch 6 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, crystal clear with a deep mahogany color. The aromatics are wonderfully hedonistic and complex, offering scents of sweet vanilla fudge, rich caramel, and brown baking spices supported by baked apples, charred oak, and brown sugar. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and silky dense caramel and oak-driven core with generous baked fruit and assertive brown spice notes that rise on the finish. Full-bodied and so incredibly silky and lush while also showing balance and restraint. Aged six years and five months — bottled uncut and unfiltered. $89.99 – 5 Stars
Stambecco Maraschino Cherry Amaro
Brilliant copper/orange color. The nose is greeted with a medicinal cherry scent accented by notes of brown sugar, orange peel, and almonds. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet cherry-driven core with flanking notes of burnt orange, marzipan, dried herbs, and hints of vanilla. Medium-bodied with sweet fruits throughout — it's more sweet than bitter and the medicinal flavor lingers. This version of an Italian Amaro seems to be more about the package than the liquid. $35 – 3 Stars
