Rome de Bellegarde XO Cognac
Brilliant, deep golden to copper color. The aromatics are lush and complex with generous waves of roasted orchard fruits with delicate accents of brown baking spices and vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering a beautiful, fruit-driven core with waves of caramel, spice, oak, and creamy vanilla fudge. Full-bodied with ideal balance as the vibrant spice notes with bright acidity leave you wanting the next sip. $3900 – 4.5 Stars
Puncher's Chance Kentucky Straight Bourbon
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, deep bronze color. The nose is filled with bold scents of caramel, sweet baked apples, red chili-accented toffee, charred oak, and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet, baked fruit-centered core with generous supporting notes of vanilla cream, chocolate, orange peel, and hints of saddle leather. Full-bodied with bold fruit, caramel, and oak flavors that maintain a vibrancy due to bright acidity and ideal balance. Made with a blend of four, five, and six-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbons by the Wolf Spirit Distillery. $34.99 – 4.5 Stars
Christian Drouin Vintage 2000 Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant copper to amber color. The aromatics are complex, beautiful, and a bit unexpected with intense wild honey notes in the lead supported by Christmas fruit cake, cinnamon, Nutella, and baked apples. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a rich, fruit-driven core with waves of baking spices, walnut toffee, and cashew butter with hints of ginger. Ideally balanced with great length and weight. $90 – 4.5 Stars
Christian Drouin Vintage 1980 Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, deep amber color. The nose is vibrant with the scents of rich, baked apples and sweet red fruits supported by waves of caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, sweet cigar tobacco, oak, and hints of vanilla. The palate is equally rich and decadent with loads of baking spice flavors that elevate the rich fruit finishing with spicy ginger, black pepper, and oak notes. Ideally balanced with incredible length and weight contrasted by bright acidity and peppery accents. We tasted the 1980 vintage 10 years ago and this release, with 10 more years in cask (giving more red fruit accents) this lovely Calvados has vastly improved. $350 – 4.5 Stars
Old Overholt Bonded Straight Rye Whiskey
Deep, golden amber color. The aromatics are beautiful and alluring with waves of baked orchard fruits, caramel, charred oak, nutmeg, and black pepper. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but vibrant core of sweet grains, caramel, and butterscotch with brown spices and pepper rising on the finish with charred oak lingering. Full-bodied with dense fruit, caramel, and spice notes offered with ideal balance and weight. $24.99 – 4.5 Stars
Christian Drouin Sélection Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, golden straw color. The nose is greeted with bright fruit, fresh cider notes with strong hints of pear, supporting notes of wood, subtle brown baking spice accents, and hints of citrus. The palate totally agrees with the aromatics delivering a generous and vibrant apple and pear-focused core with waves of citrus, spice, and mineral. Medium-bodied with perfect balance and a soft, lingering apple cider note. $35 – 4 Stars
Christian Drouin Le Gin
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully aromatic with waves of bright juniper supported by generous notes of lemon zest, rose, blanched almonds, cardamon, and hints of vanilla bean. The palate echoes the nose delivering a vibrant botanical-driven core with bright citrus flavors in the lead supported by ginger with hints of brown baking spices. Medium to full-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a bright note of acidity with a vibrant botanicals delivered in perfect measure on a backdrop of a silky, pure spirit. $45 – 4.5 Stars
Benriach The Original Ten 10 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant golden color. Sweet grains and baked apples dominate the nose supported by honeycomb, caramel, toasted oak, and hints of orange peel. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush core of ripe orchard fruits with flanking spice notes, malt, toffee, and hints of vanilla bean. Medium to full-bodied with a bright dose of fresh acidity and seductive fruit notes. $53.99 – 4.5 Stars
Benriach The Smoky Ten 10 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant golden color. The nose is vibrant with the scents of ripe orchard fruits enveloped in sweet smoke with waves of honey and brown baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering baked pears and apples with lush, sweet smoke accents supported by spice, oak, and caramel. Full-bodied with ideal balance and decadent fruit and smoke flavors. $59.99 – 4.5 Stars
Benriach The Twelve 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant gold to copper color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe, red berries with loads of honey, caramel, and dark chocolate accented with nutmeg and ginger biscuits. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a lush red fruit-driven core with waves of toffee, orange peel, Christmas cake, and treacle. Full-bodied with a sweet, opulent texture drinking like a powerful dessert in a glass. $59.99 – 4 Stars
