Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon Whiskey
Deep copper color. The aromatics are lush and luxurious filling the nose with scents of vanilla, caramel, honey, and candied nuts with hints of baked apple, maple candy, and nutmeg. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a rich and silky honey and brown spice-focused core with flanking notes of black pepper, charred oak, and hints of cinnamon. Full-bodied with a lush, sweet core punctuated by spice and oak. Made with a blend of corn-dominated Bourbon aged four to twelve years. $45 – 4.5 Stars
Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Rubino Sweet Vermouth
Brilliant ruby color. The aromatics are complex and alluring offering scents of ripe red fruits supported by notes of rhubarb, dried herbs and bark, and chamomile tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bright, fruity core with waves of botanicals that extend the palate and become tart and slightly bitter on the finish. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with complex fruit and botanicals and a bright dose of acidity that keeps it refreshing. This "Riserva" level M&R Sweet Vermouth is a very different animal than their classic Sweet Vermouth that we all know being a big step up in complexity. It's made with Nebbiolo wines from the Langhe (Piedmont) DOC. $14.99 – 4 Stars
Greenbar Grand Poppy Amaro
Brilliant, copper/orange color. The nose leaps from the glass with fresh scents of wild flowers, herbs, bitter fruit, and citrus zest with hints of earth and pepper. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a semisweet herbal blast with generous flavors of grapefruit, dried flowers, and forest floor. Medium-bodied with great complexity, length, and balance. $27.99 – 4 Stars
Greenbar Fruitlab Jasmine Liqueur
Brilliant, ruby with hints of burnt orange. The nose is unmistakably jasmine with supporting notes of tea, citrus, and wild flowers (both fresh and dried). The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet black tea-forward core with flanking notes of flowers, herbs, and candied lemon zest. Medium-bodied and sweet with subtle and delicate flavors that linger for minutes. $32.99 – 4 Stars
The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, pale gold color. The nose is very attractive with scents of dried fruit, citrus zest, and apricot with hints of sea salt (although not a coastal malt), orange peel, and caramel. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a richer, sweeter malt impression with flavors of toffee, chocolate, and baking spices with a hint of anise on the finish. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with bright citrus accents taming the sweet caramel malt core. A great value. $35 – 4 Stars
Yebiga Bela Rakija
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are profound and alluring led by ripe stone fruits with waves of forest floor, lavender, citrus zest, and wild flowers. The palate confirms the nose delivering a full expression of dark plum with generous spice notes including black pepper that rises on the finish. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with vibrant acidity ideally framing the ripe fruit. $29.99 – 4.5 Stars
Tromba Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is amazingly complex and generous with loads of ripe agave, ripe pineapple, wild flowers, honeysuckle, citrus zest, and white pepper. The palate echoes the nose being lush with ripe agave supported by vibrant layers of citrus, earth, sea salt, coriander seed, and lime. Medium-bodied with bright acidity that gives the generous fruit great balance and length. $34.99 – 4.5 Stars
Tromba Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, pale golden color. The nose is quite peppery with baked agave notes, oak, caramel, and citrus with hints of clove and campfire. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a dense, baked agave core with flanking spices, oak, and sweet caramel. Medium-bodied with bright acidity adding freshness with lingering pepper and spice accents. $39.99 – 4 Stars
Tromba Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, golden color. The nose is sweet and decadent with scents of butterscotch in the lead supported by baked apple, chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering an ultra sweet agave core with generous waves of caramel, cotton candy, sweet herbs, and vanilla-soaked oak. Medium-bodied and absolutely decadent finishing with drier and mildly tannic wood accents. $49.99 – 4 Stars
Hotel Starlino Rosso Vermouth
Brilliant, bright ruby red with hints of amber. The aromatics are complex and alluring offering scents of ripe red fruits and red wine supported by notes of rhubarb, orange peel, ginger, and sandalwood with hints of vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering a tart, dried red fruit core with waves of bitter orange, dried herbs, cloves, and Marsala. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with rich fruits and tart citrus notes enhanced by a complex blend of aromatics. $25 – 4.5 Stars
