Gonzalez Byass Lepanto Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez
Brilliant, beautiful amber color with hints of orange. The aromatics are quite complex while subtle with scents of toffee, candied orange peel, Sherry, sultanas, vanilla, and hints of Marcona almonds. The palate echoes the nose delivering a generous, unctuous caramel and fruit core with layers of roasted nuts, nutmeg, nut, citrus, brown butter, and hints of clove. Full-bodied with complex layers of fruit, caramel, spice, presented with a silky texture. Aged in solera with an average age of this Brandy being 12 years. $54.99 – 4.5 Stars
Gonzalez Byass Lepanto O.V. Brandy de Jerez
Brilliant, beautiful amber color. The nose is quite elegant and complex, offering scents of dried orchard fruits with roasted hazelnut, honey, nougat, orange peel, and brown baking spices. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a generous yet restrained nut and spice-driven core with waves of fruit, oak, and decadent dry Sherry accents. Full-bodied presenting a very sophisticated, dry style that shows off the old Brandies and the skill of the master blender. The O.V. represents Oloroso Viejo (old) signaling its origin from Oloroso Sherry. Aged in solera with an average age of this Brandy being 15 years. $69.99 – 5 Stars
Gonzalez Byass Lepanto P.X. Brandy de Jerez
Brilliant, beautiful dark amber color. The aromatics offer incredibly rich and decadent raisins, figs, and dates that are swimming in thick honey and sweet Sherry. The palate echoes the nose delivering a luxurious fruit-driven core with supporting notes of treacle, spice cake, caramel, liquid toffee, with subtle hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied and absolutely extravagant delivering a sumptuous texture with incredible length that somehow never becomes too sweet. The P.X. represents Pedro Ximenez signaling its origin from lavish Pedro Ximenez Sherry. Aged in solera with an average age of this Brandy being 15 years. $69.99 – 5 Stars
Ballotin Carmel Turtle Chocolate Flavored Whiskey
Brilliant, golden amber color. The nose reveals a dessert in a glass with waves of sweet caramel with pecan brittle and decadent dark chocolate. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich, caramel-focused core with supporting notes of toasted nuts, chocolate, butter cream, and hints of Whiskey. Medium to full-bodied with a viscous palate feel that elongates the candy shop flavors. $25 – 4 Stars
Baileys Apple Pie Irish Cream
Milky, tan mocha color. The nose is subtle but inviting with classic Baileys with lovely milk chocolate and vanilla, punctuated with sweet baked apple accents. The palate reveals a more assertive apple note along with generous apple pie spices on a viscous, creamy backdrop. Medium-bodied with great length and a super, silky smooth texture. This is a seasonal offering from Baileys so get it while it's here. $24.99 – 4 Stars
Varnelli L'Anice Secco Speciale Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear — until water or ice is added then it becomes milky in appearance. The nose is wonderfully expressive offering bright scents of anise supported by crisp notes of fresh fennel and wild flowers with earthy cumin and hints of dill seed. The palate echoes the nose delivering intense anise flavors with a dry mineral edge and complex spice and herbal accents that persist on the long finish. Full-bodied with perfectly balanced flavors and just enough sweetness to carry the flavors forward. An absolute classic. $44.99 – 5 Stars
Bresca Dorada Mirto di Sardegna Liqueur
Deep mocha color with obvious viscosity. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe myrtle berries (mirto) with its wild mint accents, pine, herbal notes redolent of amaro with rosemary, honey, and hints of black licorice. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a beautifully complex berry-driven core with layers of evergreen brush, juniper, honey, and amaro. Full-bodied with perfect balance and incredibly long and lingering flavors. $47 – 5 Stars
King of Kentucky Barrel No. 7 — 2021 14 Years Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, deep amber color. The nose is alluring and complex with notes of sweet fruit cake, dense caramel, vanilla bean, and dark chocolate with accents of candied orange peel and brown baking spices. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a dense, caramel and orchard fruit compote with waves of brown baking spices, toasted coconut, and sweet, charred oak. 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 2,700 bottles available. $250 – 5 Stars
Grinta Amaro di Erbe
Brilliant, deep emerald green color. The aromatics are quite assertive, offering lovely scents of fresh peppermint, eucalyptus, and chamomile, with supporting notes of rhubarb, bitter root, and wild flowers. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering silky, semisweet herbal core redolent of green Chartreuse meeting a fragrant Gin in all its glory. Medium to full-bodied with incredible complexity, length, and balance. $39 – 4 Stars
Rossi d'Angera Spitz Genziana Liqueur
Brilliant, deep golden amber color. The nose is wonderfully floral with sweet herbs, earth, complex citrus accents ranging from orange peel, grapefruit, lemon, and lime. The palate echoes the nose delivering a more bitter than sweet herbal core with waves of citrus and earthy root notes that build on the long finish. Medium-bodied with amazingly complex aromatics and flavors punctuated but a generous dose of natural acidity making it an ideal aperitif. Beautifully expressive while being drier than its French counterparts. $29.99 – 4.5 Stars
