Old Pulteney 18 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant golden/amber color. The nose reveals a very decadent Whisky offering rich scents of dark chocolate, baked apples, and generous waves of brown baking spices with accents of honey and hints of lemon curd. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a dense and powerful chocolate and malt-driven core with waves of fruit cake, allspice, black pepper, and hints of briny Sichuan pepper. Full-bodied with loads of barrel-driven spice notes and an oaky finish. $139 – 4 Stars
Old Pulteney Huddart Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant golden color. The nose is filled with scents of sweet malt, honeycomb, and baked apple with accents of smoke, leather, and vanilla bean. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich fruit and malt driven core with even more smoke than found on the nose with waves of peat and brown baking spices leading to a hardwood ember-like tannin on the finish. Full-bodied with generous notes of sea salt, smoke, and malt that showcases the peat element as being nearly herbal. $65 – 4 Stars
Old Pulteney 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, pale gold with a touch of amber. The nose is beautiful and delicate offering scents of honey, wild flowers, Bourbon cask, salty sea air, and sweet malt. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a creamy, sweet malt-driven core with flanking notes of sea salt and honeycomb, nutmeg, and citrus zest rising on the finish. Medium-bodied and ideally proportioned offering with perfect balance thanks to a dose of bright acidity. This version of the Old Pulteney 12 is different than in years past with a greater Bourbon impression and a lower ABV (previously bottled at 43%). $45 – 4 Stars
Downslope Distilling Double Diamond American Whiskey
Brilliant amber color. The nose is incredibly complex and luxurious with waves of ripe red fruits, sweet malt, dried apples and apricots, loads of brown baking spices, and subtle citrus accents. The palate echoes the nose delivering a robust and silky fruit and malt-driven core with flanking notes of caramel, vanilla, and Sherry. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with fruit, grains, and oak in perfect harmony. The Downslope Double Diamond proves that age is just a number. What this Whiskey lacks in age statement it more than makes up for with mature spirit flavors on the palate. A lovely American Whiskey. $34.99 – 4.5 Stars
Christian Drouin Selection Calvados
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is greeted with bright fruit, fresh cider notes with strong hints of pear, supporting/secondary notes of wood, subtle brown baking spice accents, and hints of citrus. The palate totally agrees with the aromatics delivering a generous and vibrant fruit-focused core with waves of citrus, spice, and mineral. Medium-bodied with perfect balance and a soft, lingering apple cider note. $39.99 – 4 Stars
Old Forester Birthday - 2019 11 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, deep golden color with a hint of orange. The nose is incredibly expressive offering scents of rich maple, toffee, and butterscotch with waves of baked pear, corn pudding, and charred oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and robust fruit and caramel and maple-centric core with supporting notes of brown baking spices, roasted nuts, and black fruits. Full-bodied and intense with a sharp black pepper notes that rises on the finish. The 2019 Birthday Bourbon was born on May 15, 2008 with 120 barrels produced and rested for this bottling. $99.99 – 4 Stars
Lunazul Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose wonderfully fruity offering scents of ripe tropical fruits (pineapple), red apple notes, and citrus zest with accents of sea salt and sweet agave. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a semi-viscous yet vibrant tropical fruit-driven core with generous supporting notes of citrus, black pepper, and hints of wild herbs and vanilla bean. Ideally balanced with clean, fresh flavors and a long, lingering, spicy finish. $19.99 – 4.5 Stars
Lunazul Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, pale golden straw color. The nose is filled with the scents of bright, baked tropical fruits with flanking notes of cinnamon, citrus zest, and sweet oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, baked pineapple driven core with generous notes of honey, caramel, and vanilla cream. Wonderfully balanced with bright acidity adding freshness with lingering pepper and spice accents. $19.99 – 4 Stars
Lunazul Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, copper color. The nose is dominated by sweet, brown baking spices (cinnamon and nutmeg), toasted oak, and roasted nuts with baked fruits in support. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a decadent spice and oak-driven core with waves of caramel, cashew butter, and vibrant black pepper notes rising on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with rich, toasted oak and spice keeping it sprite. Aged in ex-Bourbon barrels for 12 to 18 months. $22.99 – 4 Stars
King of Kentucky Barrel No. 8 15 Years Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, deep, cherry wood color. The nose is amazingly harmonious, sweet, 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, vanilla, cinnamon, and roasted nuts. The palate echoes the nose delivering a dense baked fruit and vanilla cream focused core with generous waves of brown baking spices, toasted coconut, black pepper, and honey. 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 over 2,000 bottles available. $250 – 4.5 Stars