Grand Marnier Quintessence Liqueur
Deep copper with orange highlights. The nose is fresh, vibrant, and unmistakably Grand Marnier offering bright scents of orange and tangerine with orange zest, fully integrated wood notes, rich Cognac with hints of vanilla, allspice, and clove. The palate echoes the nose delivering sequential waves of candied orange zest with lush Cognac and exotic spices. This is a true luxury item with very limited availability. For those of us shopping in the strata below luxury be comforted by the knowledge that the classic GM Cordon Rouge is nearly as good and it does not require a layaway plan. $799.99 – 5 Stars
Glenfarclas Family Cask #3551 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Deep copper color with perfect clarity. The aromatics are quite subtle when first poured but it blossoms and grows in short order revealing waves of candied roasted nuts, caramel, candied orange peel, and orchard fruits with accents of nutmeg, cinnamon, and complex sherry notes with hints of black pepper and clove. The palate echoes the nose being rich while delicate with layers of nuanced fruit and spice flavors. Incredibly balanced with a remarkable vibrancy that defies its age. A beautiful malt with an unexpected delicacy and style. The ideal gift for a special friend turning 40 this year. $599.99 – 5 Stars
Glenfarclas Family Cask #4567 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bright and surprisingly light colored with bright golden hues. The aromatics are bright and youthful with scents of candied ginger, fresh malt and grain, sandalwood, roasted nuts, dried apricot, and soft Sherry notes. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose and more with an unctuous and viscous core of Sherry and sweet malt flanked by brown baking spices, roasted nuts, black pepper, and butter toffee. This great old malt benefits from a modest dose of water that releases the complex aromas and flavors. Amazing. The ideal gift for a special friend turning 30 this year. $329.99 – 5 Stars
Merlet Crème de Cassis
Deep, darkest ruby/garnet color with evident viscosity. The fruit purity in the aromatics is astounding with incredible concentration offering both ultra-ripe and bittersweet notes and hints of sour cherry. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, velvet like texture of perfectly balanced black fruit concentrate with tart berry notes as the foil. Heavenly. $24.99 – 5 Stars
Merlet Crème de Mure
Deep garnet color with ripples of viscous liqueur on the glass. The nose explodes with the scents of a dense berry patch in the summer’s heat with hints of sweet cherries, wild mint and mineral. The palate is incredibly vibrant with waves of blackberry seeming nearly light, which is an amazing feat for the style. Bright, refreshing acidity runs throughout creating perfect balance and length. Superb. $24.99 – 5 Stars
Merlet Crème de Fraise
Bright garnet to burgundy with hints of orange. Rich and concentrated strawberry scents are supported by blood orange, citrus, and sweet wild flowers. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose delivering a complex fruit attack that strikes the perfect balance of tart and sweet with an ever evolving fruit core that lingers on for minutes. The descriptors could go on and on but ultimately it will never do justice to this masterpiece. $24.99 – 5 Stars
Merlet Crème de Poire
Brilliant pale straw color with evident sugars on the glass when swirled. The nose is fresh with the scents of ripe and tart pear with a serious dose of pear skin. The palate opens with a wave of delicate, sweet pear juice that soon gives way to a pear pulp concentrate and supporting citrus accents that lift the flavors to a new dimension. Perfectly balanced with long lingering bittersweet pear candy dissolving on the tongue. $24.99 – 5 Stars
Merlet Crème de Framboise
Deep ruby red with a thick coating of clear sugar on the glass. The nose is filled with the scents of raspberry concentrate as well as freshly picked berries with subtle underlying citrus note. The palate is a delicious struggle of sweet and tart berries with no clear winner beckoning you back for sip after sip in hopes of solving the puzzle. Ideally balanced and perfect in every way being nearly too good to believe. Brilliant. $24.99 – 5 Stars
Rivulet Artisan Pecan Liqueur
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully complex with notes of toasted pecans virtually leaping from the glass with supporting notes of rich caramel with hints of dark caramel, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, butterscotch and candied orange peel. The palate echoes the nose delivering a silky, lush toffee and praline core with accents of brown baking spices, cappuccino, maple syrup, treacle, and brown sugar. This is certainly a full-bodied and complex liqueur but its edge is that it is remarkably balanced with vibrant acidity that leads you to desire sip after sip. $34.99 – 5 Stars
Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is incredibly complex and pleasing offering scents of orange marmalade, sour cherries, raspberry, allspice, clove, buckwheat honey, bark, mango chutney, and Earl Grey tea. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering waves of fruit, spice, and herbs that become more dry and tart on the finish. Rich and full-bodied delivering generous fruit flavors with vibrant spice and citrus notes that provide balance and structure. $29.99 – 5 Stars
