Christian Brothers Sacred Bond – Bottled in Bond American Brandy
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is rich with the scents of red and black berries with notes of plum, vanilla bean, fig, nougat, marzipan, allspice, and black currant jam. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a rich, fruit-focused core with waves of sweet vanilla, brown baking spices, and spicy/sweet oak. Being bottled at 50% abv it is quite intense while still being very nuanced and complex with perfect balance and great length. $24.99 – 5 Stars
RE:FIND Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully aromatic reminiscent of the best Grappas that you have nosed offering scents of wild flowers and macerated red fruits with hints of mineral and tropical fruits. The palate echoes the nose while fully coming to life offering a lush and chewy fruit-driven core with layers of berry and tropical fruits with a delicate and creamy vanilla-accented finish. Medium-bodied with a beautifully silky texture and long, decadent finish. $38 – 4.5 Stars
RE:FIND Cucumber Flavored Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is quite green with the scent of cucumber (skins and flesh) with green and dried herbs, and a distinct earthiness. The palate confirms the nose delivering the green cucumber notes with a generous dose of sugar and pithy citrus notes rising on the finish. Medium-bodied with bold vegetal flavors and a healthy dose of sweetness. $44 – 3 Stars
RE:FIND Finished in Barrel Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. Well, there is not a chance you could nose this and think Vodka. The aromatics are firmly in the Whiskey camp offering waves of caramel, vanilla, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and toffee. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich, Bourbon barrel notes with only the spirits lush and silky texture left to speak for itself. Medium-bodied with rich and expressive barrel notes of brown baking spice, vanilla, and caramel. $50 – 3 Stars
Prairie Organic Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is incredibly pure with scents of grain and citrus blossom with accents of mineral and dried herbs. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and silky core with supporting and vibrant mineral and citrus notes that add interest and length. Medium-bodied with a bright dose of acidity and long, lingering grain and mineral flavors. $20 – 4 Stars
Francescano Natura Assisi Chocolate & Rum Cream Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is dense with the chocolate, veering toward dark chocolate, with subtle rich and sweet Rum notes. The palate delivers the promise of the nose while being incredibly viscous having the texture of gelato rather than a Liqueur. The generous chocolate flavors linger on and on for minutes. Medium-bodied with incredible viscosity coating every corner of your mouth and staying there for minutes. It's impossibly rich! $21.99 – 4 Stars
Don Q Signature Release/Single Barrel 2005 Rum
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. There is a generous oak note but I find it to be very rounded and mellow (especially with a few drops of water) as the exotic brown spices from the oak marry beautifully with rich dried fruits, caramel, and roasted nuts. The palate echoes the nose delivering a silky, caramel, and fruit-focused core with an incredibly generous dose of brown baking spice, toasted oak, vanilla, and leather that finishes dry. Medium-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a fresh dose of acidity and firm wood tannins that rise on the finish. $39.99 – 4.5 Stars
Pasote Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wild and complex offering scents of baked and raw agave with a beautiful, fresh herbal layer that flows seamlessly to green, fresh jalapeno with lime. It's a Mexican kitchen in a glass. The palate matches the nose is each respect delivering an agave fruit core that is generously supported by waves of green herbs, lime, and peppery heat that fades to a sweet, baked agave fruit finish. Medium-bodied while full-throttle in terms of the flavors with great definition of flavor with long, lingering flavors. $49 – 5 Stars
Pasote Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are lovely and inviting as this repo carries on the rich fruit found in their blanco while some of the more angular herbal edges have been tamed and replaced with soft honey and cask notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a soft and silky agave and orchard fruit core with supporting notes of lime, salt, mineral, and delicate spice notes provided by the cask. Medium-bodied with rich, generous flavors of agave. Perfctly balanced with a bright dose of acidity that keeps it vibrant and allows the subtle secondary notes to shine. $59 – 5 Stars
Pasote Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is very vibrant with scents of agave and fresh herbal notes outpacing the exotic and sweet wood notes that offer supporting notes of vanilla and caramel. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush agave core that is fully enveloped in sweet oak cask notes including vanilla, allspice, and caramel. Medium-bodied with a generous dose of bright acidity not always found in añejo Tequila. The flavors are generous and bold while maintaining ideal balance. $69 – 4.5 Stars
