Grand Traverse Distillery Barrel Finished Peninsula Gin
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant very pale straw/copper color. The nose is vibrant with the scents of citrus peel, grains of paradise, juniper, and brown baking spices accentuated by the subtle barrel accents. The palate echoes the nose delivering a spicy core with waves of citrus, cooking spices, and baking spices as well as they are fortified by the barrel. Secondary herbal and minty flavors are also present and likely created by the marriage of seasoned barrels and bold botanicals. Full-bodied with bold flavors and ideally balanced with a fresh dose of acidity. Too many barrel aged Gins suffer from subtractions in flavor and complexity due to the addition of wood. This lovely example ideally balances barrel and botanicals to create a very unique spirit. $42 – 4 Stars
King of Kentucky 14 Years Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant deep cherry wood color. The nose is amazingly harmonious and complex even before a water addition. (It's better after a splash of water.) The nose is filled with scents of charred oak, baked apples and pears, caramel, brown baking spices, and leather. The palate echoes the nose delivering a dense fruit and chocolate focused core with generous waves of brown baking spices and oak with subtle hints of mint, pineapple, and pepper. 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 about 1,000 bottles available. $199 – 4.5 Stars
Grand Traverse Distillery True North Rye Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. Beautiful aromatics offering scents of lemon curd, dried black fruits, dried flowers, spicy rye bread, and subtle mineral notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering the complex set of flavors set on a silky, viscous texture that carries the vibrant and rich flavors like a fluffy cloud. Medium-bodied and sure to destroy any ideas you may have about Vodka being a tasteless and neutral spirit. $29.99 – 5 Stars
Oma's Natural Cherry Flavored Vodka
Brilliant ruby to crimson red. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe sweet and tart red cherries supported by accents of cherry pit, vanilla, and subtle allspice notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, cherry infused core with a pleasing dose of vibrant acidity providing perfect balance and making this lush flavored Vodka nimble and refreshing. Medium-bodied with an intense cherry core while being perfectly balanced offering just enough sweetness to carry the flavors on the palate. $35 – 4.5 Stars
Grand Traverse Distillery Ole George Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear with a bright amber/gold color. The aromatics are complex with scents of ripe orchard fruits and toasted grain with supporting notes of black pepper, toasted oak, dried black fruits, caramel, vanilla, allspice, and pralines. The palate is full agreement with the nose offering a lush fruit-driven core with caramel, pepper, and brown baking spices that linger on the palate for minutes. This full-bodied Michigan Rye is for the hardcore Rye Whiskey lover as it delivers classic and bold rye flavors. $53.99 – 5 Stars
D. George Benham's Sonoma Dry Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose offers a bold but harmonious bouquet of bright botanicals ranging from juniper to citrus, ginger, and peppermint to name a few. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bright and bold citrus core with waves of galangal and flanking notes of coriander, juniper, and vibrant grains of paradise. Full-bodied and mind-blowing with a rich and silky texture and bold flavors with the peppermint rising on the finish. This Gin is not for the timid but if you love a powerful Gin this may soon become your favorite. $40 – 4.5 Stars
Vespertino Tequila Cream Liqueur
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekMilky, mocha/almond color. The aromatics are wonderfully seductive with scents of cinnamon, caramel, freshly grated brown sugar, and vanilla with hints of milk chocolate, cream, and subtle fruity Tequila accents. The palate echoes the nose delivering a silky creamy core with an explosion of chocolate supported by brown baking spices, rich cream, and vanilla bean. Medium-bodied with a lush, velvety center with intriguing spice notes and a pleasing balance. $21.99 – 4.5 Stars
Old Forester Birthday 2017 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, deep amber color. The complex aromatics certainly go to 11! It features generous scents of oak, dark chocolate, dried orchard fruits, orange zest, black pepper, toffee, dried herbs and flowers, with loads of brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering pepper and oak with lush and spicy fruit, caramel core, and dark chocolate with rising accents of allspice and clove. This is a full-throttle Bourbon that marries intensity with complexity. $79.99 – 4.5 Stars
Vermont Spirits Coppers - Sugarwood Gin
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is very inviting and complex with beautiful scents of orange and juniper with flanking notes of earthy angelica root and citrus. The palate concurs with the nose while delivering a rich and slightly sweet, maple spirit core dosed with juniper, orange, and green tea. Full-bodied with a silky and semisweet core spiked with fresh botanicals while being perfectly balanced with a bright dose of citrus-like acidity. $34.99 – 4.5 Stars
Vermont Spirits Gold Vodka
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully seductive and decadent being reminiscent of maple cakes with accents of toasted almonds and mineral. The palate affirms the fabulous nose being wonderfully lush and silky with a mildly sweet and pleasingly assertive minerality that adds structure and style. Medium-bodied with a rich, velvet-like texture while delivering bright acidity resulting in perfect balance. $42.99 – 4.5 Stars
