Laird's 10th Generation Bottled in Bond 5 Years Old Apple Brandy
Brilliant amber color. The aromatics are very generous featuring both baked apple and sweet, ripe apple juice with accents of toffee, caramel, kirsch, brown baking spice, vanilla bean, and charred oak barrels. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, apple-driven core with generous notes of caramel, roasted nuts, allspice, ginger biscuits, black pepper, and subtle campfire accents. Full-bodied with rich, sweet fruit supported by loads of spice and bright acidity giving perfect balance. A beautiful bottled-in-bond apple Brandy from Laird's. $41.99 – 4.5 Stars
Laird's Applejack Apple Brandy
Brilliant, bronze to amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of baked apples with accents of sweet, charred oak, caramel, vanilla fudge, and hints of five-spice. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich yet sprite, apple-driven core with supporting notes of brown baking spices, sweet caramel, oak, and cinnamon. Full-bodied with sweet fruit supported by a generous dose of spice and caramel balanced with bright acidity. This is an American classic and it's as good as ever. $24.99 – 9 Stars
Paddy Blended Irish Whiskey
Bright, light golden color. The nose is fresh with scents of toasted grain, vanilla, and hints of dried fruits. The palate continues where the nose leaves off offering a great marriage of grain and fruit with accents of toasted almonds, dry wood notes, and black pepper. Available in the US on a limited basis, this latest offering of the old Paddy Whiskey is better than ever. $ – 3.5 Stars
New Holland Knickerbocker Barrel Gin
Brilliant, pale golden straw. The aromatics are very interesting and certainly barrel-driven with scents of cola and Whiskey with accents of ginger, sweet citrus, and a host of brown baking spices supported by hints of brown sugar. The palate is in somewhat agreement with the nose as the decadent Whiskey and brown spice notes give way to peppery ginger and citrus notes that become redolent of lemongrass and citronelle. Full-bodied with dense brown spirit and brown spice notes that are foiled by citrus and ginger ultimately becoming dry. $29.99 – 3.5 Stars
Hamilton Petite Shrubb Orange Liqueur
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewSlightly hazy, deep, burnt orange color. The nose is assertively orange-focused with scents of both orange peel and flesh on a backdrop of sweet Rhum. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a bold orange-dominated core with vibrant spicy accents redolent of candied ginger with hints of black pepper as the Rhum Agricole flavor rises on the finish. Full-bodied with ideal balance thanks to bright acidity and spicy orange. The uses in cocktails are endless. $29.95 – 4.5 Stars
Capel Premium Pisco
Brilliant, crystal clear. Very floral with sweet tropical fruits filling the nose with accents of pepper. The palate confirms the nose delivering a sweet and fruity core that becomes drier on the finish with trailing grape, pepper, and sandalwood notes. Medium-bodied and a bit flabby with a viscous core and subtle citrus acid accents. $19.99 – 3 Stars
Amrut Old Port – Deluxe Rum
Deep bronze to mahogany color. The aromatics are quite fragrant and pretty with waves of butterscotch, molasses, allspice, and candied orange peel, with accents of clove and cinnamon. The palate confirms the nose on the front of the palate as it delivers rich honey and toffee notes but it soon becomes astringent with cold black tea and wood notes taking center stage. Medium-bodied with good proportions and a fresh dose of acidity are certainly positive but the tannins are a tad too high. $18.99 – 3.5 Stars
Grand Marnier Titanium Flavored Cognac
Deep, golden peach color with perfect clarity. The nose is filled with the scents of sweet, concentrated orange and tangerine with hints of baked peach, candied ginger, brown baking spices, and vanilla. On the palate the fruit notes are quite subtle with the spices taking center stage offering soft pepper notes with pithy citrus sensations. Full-bodied — despite the rich fruit notes found in the aromatics this spirit is totally dry. A full departure from the classic GM approach that seems to be built to be base of contemporary cocktails. $39.99 – 3 Stars
Speyburn 15 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, deep golden color. The nose is vibrant with fresh scents of baked pear, toasted grain, caramel, orange peel, and mocha. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a fruit and toffee-driven core with waves of brown baking spices, oak and vanilla. Fill-bodied with bright fruit flavors with a generous dose of acidity and a dry, spicy finish. Matured in both American and Spanish oak casks. $59.99 – 4 Stars
Booker's Pigskin Batch 6 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, crystal clear with a light mahogany color. The nose reveals a wonderfully decadent caramel and fudge core with vanilla wafers, brown baking spices, and toasted oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a luscious, silky caramel-driven core with spicy oak and pepper accents that become spicier on the finish. Full-bodied, incredibly silky and generous while displaying great balance and a powerful delicacy. $89.99 – 5 Stars
