Christian Drouin Vintage 1970 Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Deep, brilliant copper/amber color. The nose deftly marries the scents of rich, baked apple and sweet caramel contrasted by vibrant cider notes with accents of cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, red currant, and clove. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and decadent apple-driven core with waves of brown baking spices, toffee, red fruits, and rich vanilla cream. Ideally balanced with great length and weight. We tasted this great Calvados 10 years younger and it was great and continues to be a great Vintage Calvados. $499 – 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 XO Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant golden to copper color. The aromatics are amazingly fresh and vibrant with scents of fresh-pressed apple and cider, roasted apples, baked stone fruits, toasted almonds, brown baking spices, and a splash of vanilla. The palate is equally youthful and mature delivering layers of ripe fruit, spice, mineral, a fine salinity, and trailing floral notes, with cinnamon heat, vanilla bean, and oak on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with a vibrant texture offering layers of ripe fruit and generous portions of spice, vanilla, and oak. $95 – 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
Somrus Coffee Cream Liqueur
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekViscous and creamy with a mocha color. The nose is filled with the aromas of a boutique cafe with scents of freshly roasted coffee supported by notes of mocha and milk chocolate with hints of chicory. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush and silky cream and coffee-driven core with waves of chocolate, spice, and sweet Rum rising on the finish. This is a rich and mouth-filling liqueur with a surprising vibrancy that keeps it from becoming heavy or cloying. $24.99 – 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
Benriach The Smoky Twelve 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant gold to copper color with a touch of ruby. The nose is intense with the scents of sweet, baked fruits with smoky, vanilla-tinged accents. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet and decadent core of brown sugar, caramel, cacao, oak, and candied orange peel. Full-bodied with a sweet oaked, fruit core with waves of campfire and tannic spice accents. $64.99 – 4 Stars
