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
George Dickel 8 Years Old Bourbon Whisky
Brilliant copper to amber color. The nose is very expressive offering scents of baked apples, cherry, vanilla bean, orange peel, and accents of roasted nuts. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush fruit and toffee-driven core with supporting notes of almond, five spice, toasted oak, and cashew butter. Full-bodied while being ideally proportioned, wearing its overproof strength well and offering bright notes of acidity that keeps this mature Bourbon vibrant. null $34 – 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
George Dickel Bottled in Bond 13 Years Old 2007 Tennessee Whisky
Brilliant, deep bronze/amber color. The nose is very seductive and generous offering scents of red currants and red cherries with supporting accents of oak, clove, allspice, almond butter, and caramel. The palate echoes the nose delivering fruit-forward flavors of red berries with loads of brown baking spices, nut brittle, oak, and ginger. Full-bodied with great balance and a bright note of acidity with defining spice accents. Distilled in the spring of 2007. $44.99 – 5 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
Hamilton Pimento Dram Liqueur
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekHazy, golden straw color. The nose is extremely generous offering scents of freshly crushed pimento (known to most in the USA as allspice) berries with its exotic aromas triggering a wide range of memories from jerk chicken to Christmas cakes. The palate echoes the nose delivering beautiful allspice (pimento) flavors that range from fruity sweet to savory pepper with accents of clove, ginger, and nutmeg. Medium-bodied with perfect balance as the sugar is here to soften and expand the bold allspice (pimento) flavors. A must for any Tiki enthusiast or anyone looking to add something distinctive to their bar and pantry. $29.95 – 5 Stars
6 O’Clock Brunel Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The juniper leaps from the glass causing lovers of juniper-forward Gins to applaud. Behind the juniper is an exotic spice market redolent of whole spice curry blends with cumin, cardamon, and pepper showing prominence. The palate fully supports the nose while becoming even more expressive thanks to the overproof spirit. It's remarkably fruity with citrus in the lead being both semisweet and wonderfully tart with lovely earth, pepper, and citrus zest notes rising on the finish. Full-bodied with a silky and semisweet core spiked with complex botanicals while being perfectly balanced with a bright dose of citrus-driven acidity. $55 – 5 Stars
Christian Drouin Vintage 1990 Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant amber color. The nose is wonderfully complex offering beautiful scents of orange peel, baked orchard fruits, sweet dates, honey, brown baking spices, and hints of a sweet turf fire. The palate echoes the nose delivering the promise of the nose in three dimensions with ripe, sweet peach and apple in the lead supported by notes of five spice, candied ginger, cardamon, and oak. The flavors linger on the palate for minutes. Lush and rich with perfect balance displaying impeccable grace with power. We reviewed Christian Drouin's 1990 vintage a decade ago and loved it. It has only risen in stature since 2010. $180 – 5 Stars
