George Bowman Colonial Era Dark Caribbean Rum
Brilliant, deep mahogany color. The nose is generous with rich, dried fruits, caramel, and honey with subtle accents of toasted coconut and vanilla bean with oak. The palate confirms the nose with dense flavors of molasses and brown sugar with hints of marzipan, and tannic oak, and brown spice notes. Medium to full-bodied and well-balanced with lingering sugar and spice. $29.99 – 4 Stars
Mezcal Campante Artesanal Joven, 100% Agave Mezcal
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are wonderfully complex and alluring, focused on sweet smoke with supporting notes of baked, caramelized pineapple, fresh herbs, wild flowers, and citrus with hints of eucalyptus and vanilla bean. The palate confirms the nose delivering a decadent baked agave core with prominent waves of smoke, orange peel, and vanilla with accents of black pepper and sandalwood on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with a silky texture with ideal balance thanks to bright citrus and subtle spice notes. Made with Espadin and Barril agave grown in the fertile soils of Oaxaca. $64.99 – 4.5 Stars
Booker's 2021-02 — Tagalong Batch 6 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, crystal clear with a deep mahogany color. The aromatics are wonderfully hedonistic and complex, offering scents of sweet vanilla fudge, rich caramel, and brown baking spices supported by baked apples, charred oak, and brown sugar. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and silky dense caramel and oak-driven core with generous baked fruit and assertive brown spice notes that rise on the finish. Full-bodied and so incredibly silky and lush while also showing balance and restraint. Aged six years and five months — bottled uncut and unfiltered. $89.99 – 5 Stars
Stambecco Maraschino Cherry Amaro
Brilliant copper/orange color. The nose is greeted with a medicinal cherry scent accented by notes of brown sugar, orange peel, and almonds. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet cherry-driven core with flanking notes of burnt orange, marzipan, dried herbs, and hints of vanilla. Medium-bodied with sweet fruits throughout — it's more sweet than bitter and the medicinal flavor lingers. This version of an Italian Amaro seems to be more about the package than the liquid. $35 – 3 Stars
NYAK VS Cognac
Brilliant amber color. The nose is beautiful offering waves of ripe pear and aromatic grapes with supporting notes of sweet oak, honey, pink peppercorns, and vanilla beans. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering an orchard fruit-focused core with waves of buttery toffee, caramel, and hints of ginger biscuits. Ideally balanced with fruit and spice in perfect proportions and a generous dose of bright acidity. $32.99 – 4.5 Stars
Lunazul Primero Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The eyes deceive the nose as you expect a burst of fruit at first nosing but get a complex oak-driven nose with waves of honey, caramel, ripe red apples, and subtle brown spices. The palate is more explosive than the nose delivering a rich and silky oak and baked agave dominant core with anise, allspice, tarragon, and vanilla bean in support. Ideally balanced with a generous dose of citrus on the finish that keeps it vibrant and crisp. Lunazul Primero is aged for 18 months in American oak and then filtered to strip all color. $29.99 – 4 Stars
St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear. As you would imagine the nose is quite floral with scents of wild spring flowers in the lead supported by ripe green melon, white grapes, mango, kiwi, and star fruit with a dose of tangerine zest. The palate is in full accord with the nose offering up waves of white peach with loads of floral and tropical fruit notes flanked by a crisp dose of acidity and subtle citrus zest note. Rich but very vibrant with fresh acidity framing the bright, fruit-driven core. Nicely balanced with a bright, almost airy finish. $19.99 – 4 Stars
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey
Deep copper color. The nose is filled with the classic scents of an American Rye as it offers complex spice notes with sweet, honey-soaked grains, and hints of brown baking spices and oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a complex caramel and spice-driven core with accents of mandarin orange, caramel, allspice, and cinnamon. Full-bodied with great length and ideal balance and bright acidity. Made with 95% Rye with 5% malted barley. $45 – 4.5 Stars
Redwood Empire Lost Monarch American Whiskey
Deep copper/amber color. The nose is quite assertive with scents of black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon with hints of caramel, sawdust, citrus, and oak. The palate agrees with the nose delivering a peppery entry followed by sweet brown spices, caramel, vanilla, and oak. Full-bodied with a take-no-prisoner approach flashing firm, charred oak notes with spicy and assertive alcohol notes. Made with a blend of aged Bourbon (40%) and Rye ((60%). $45 – 3.5 Stars
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
