Booker's Big Time Batch Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nosing at full strength shows dense fruit and spice notes with sweet caramel but a big blast of alcohol as well. With the addition of water it really blossoms revealing nuanced scents of banana bread, rich caramel with allspice, black pepper, cloves, ginger, orange peel, vanilla bean, and star anise. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and powerful core of fruit and spice with countess barrel notes and a long, trailing finish that becomes drier as it fades. Full-bodied and quite aggressive with its nearly 70% abv but it does become a more gentle giant with the addition of water. $299.99 – 5 Stars
Knob Creek Limited Edition – Batch 1 2001 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics offered by this Bourbon are so rich and seductive that it's hard to stop nosing. The dense toffee, caramel, and baked fruit notes are perfectly married and jump from the glass (especially after a water dose). Supporting notes of charred oak, brown baking spices, and vanilla. The palate echoes the nose with a decadent, sweet fruit, caramel and nut core supported by brown spices and pepper that become drier and more wood forward on the finish. Full-bodied with the rich baked fruits and spices carrying the higher proof with ease and style. $129.99 – 4.5 Stars
RE:FIND Batch No. 3 Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is unmistakably rye with loads of brown baking spices delivered at near parity and hints of vanilla bean. The palate echoes the nose delivering a round, slightly viscous sweet grain core with loads of baking spices and the vanilla found on the nose taking a bigger role while it mingles with caramel. Full-bodied with a prominent sense of alcohol due to the over-proof bottling strength. $60 – 3.5 Stars
Bayou Silver Rum
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose delivers a careful balance of molasses with vanilla cream supported by tropical fruits and hints of banana. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and sweet sugar-focused center with accents of tropical fruit and hints of mineral. Medium-bodied and sweet with long, lingering flavors. $20.99 – 3.5 Stars
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
Old Tahoe Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is quite subtle offering scents of honey, butterscotch, brown baking spices, and secondary notes of vanilla and caramel. The palate confirms the nose delivering soft, sweet barrel notes with a rich butterscotch core and little to no spice that one would associate with Rye Whiskey. Medium-bodied and soft in style and texture. $38 – 3.5 Stars
