Gin Lane 1751 Old Tom Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose presents sweet, floral juniper with supporting notes of orange peel, lemon, and a mélange of brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, silky, and slightly sweet juniper focused core with flanking notes of citrus and hints of exotic botanicals that finish dry with a vibrant dose of citrus. Medium-bodied with bright flavors and a velvety spirit deftly mingle with the eight botanicals to create a Gin with ideal balance. $24.99 – 4 Stars
The Bitter Truth EXR Bitters
Deep mahogany color. The nose is filled with the scents of dried herbs, bark, stewed fruits, and citrus peel with burnt caramel. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, viscous herbaceous core with sweet and tart fruits akin to Amaro with accents of bitter seeds. Medium to full-bodied with a viscous core relying on bitterness to give a refreshing edge. $34.99 – 3.5 Stars
The Bitter Truth Pinkgin Spiced Navy Flavored Gin
Very pale salmon color, crystal clear. The nose is very floral and fruity with waves of juniper and citrus and subtle notes of licorice. The palate is quite different than the nose as it delivers a bitter, pithy citrus core with tannic spice accents that fade on a thin finish. Medium-bodied and lacking a pleasing texture found in many Gins while highlighting citrus pith. We are not sure what they were aiming for in this Gin but we can't imagine that they hit the mark. $39.99 – 2.5 Stars
Largo Bay Silver Rum
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose delivers sweet molasses with vanilla cream and accents of tropical fruits. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and sweet sugar-focused center with accents of pepper and mineral. Medium-bodied and sweet with long, lingering flavors. $9.99 – 3 Stars
Johnnie Walker Platinum 18 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Deep bronze with hints of gold and copper. The nose is absolutely luxurious offering a careful marriage of fruit, rich malt, sweet grains, toffee, roasted nuts, clove, allspice, honeycomb, smoky Islay notes of peat fires, and faint sea breezes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a perfectly balanced dram that builds in intensity as it sits on the tongue. This beautiful blend offers the best of lush Speyside Whiskies punctuated by the essence of Islay with a glorious grain presence that binds it all into one seamless package. $80 – 4.5 Stars
Grand Mayan Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant golden color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe tropical fruits that soon become overwhelmed with barrel notes offering accents of toasted nut, chocolate, and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose while offering even less fruit as the heavy-handed oak dominates smothering all of the agave notes. Medium to full-bodied with a dominating note of oak and oak astringency with no balance at all. This is everything that is wrong with far too many modern Tequilas – wood dominated with an astronomical price tag. $79.99 – 2 Stars
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant amber and deep copper color. The nose is filled with the scents of toasted grains, baked orchard fruit, caramel, charred oak, and vanilla with hints of mocha. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush fruit and grain driven core with flanking notes of brown spice, milk chocolate, vanilla, and caramel with hints of fresh mint. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with loads of bright acidity that better allow the complex spirit to shine with wood as an accent rather than a dominating force. Made with a mashbill that included corn, rye, wheat, and barley all estate-grown, distilled, and bottled. A true American farm Whiskey. $49.99 – 5 Stars
Grand Macnish Sherry Cask 15 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, amber color. Scents of orchard fruits hit the nose first followed by fruit cake, oak, and Sherry. The palate confirms the nose delivering a fruit-centric core with flanking notes of brown spice, coconut, Sherry, and bitter chocolate on the finish. Medium-bodied with a rich fruit and spice core that would be more pleasing with a bit more acidity. A decent value for a an older blend — it won't knock your socks off but it's a nice dram. $42.99 – 3.5 Stars
Kraken Black Spiced Rum
Deep, black color. The nose is assertive with the scents of chocolate, coffee, and cloves with accents of ginger, cinnamon, and pepper. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a sweet chocolate and molasses driven core with loads of Christmas cake spices. Full-bodied with a viscous palate. Great name — great packaging and an average Spiced Rum. $18.99 – 3 Stars
Miel de Tierra Joven, 100% Agave Mezcal
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose reveals a Mezcal that is far more floral than most with subtle smoke notes and a bright lemongrass accent. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a herbaceous, slightly soapy character with waves of pepper and citrus. Medium to full-bodied with a mild hot note on the mid-palate. We are looking for a bit more complexity and refinement in our $80 agave spirits. $80 – 3 Stars
