Cruzan Hurricane Proof Rum
Brilliant amber/orange color. The nose is filled with the scents of vanilla fudge, dried fruit, and honey with hints of treacle and brown baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering a powerful golden syrup-centric core with waves of brown spice, vanilla, and sweet oak. Full-bodied to be sure, bottled over-proof with generous sweet vanilla and decadent golden syrup notes at its core. Bottled at 137 proof in recognition of the wind speeds of the category 5 hurricane that swept through the brand's home island of St. Croix in 2017. $19.99 – 3.5 Stars
Clyde May's Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant amber color. The nose is vibrant offering scents of honeycomb, dried fruits, and vanilla bean with accents of star anise, dried flowers, leather, and black pepper. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, dried fruit core with waves of dried orange peel, loads of brown baking spices, and butter biscuits. Full-bodied with generous fruit and spice notes kept in balance by a bright dose of acidity that creates a dry, peppery finish. Aged for three-plus years, the Clyde May's Rye is great addition to the lineup. $44.99 – 4.5 Stars
McQueen and the Violet Fog Gin
Brilliant crystal clear. The nose is quite alluring offering generous scents of wild flowers, candied lemon peel, and anise with supporting note of evergreens, pepper, and citrus. The palate echoes the nose delivering a complex and spicy citrus-driven core that is redolent of orange and lime with accents of juniper, pepper, and tropical flowers. Medium to full-bodied with ideal balance offering rich fruit notes with generous acidity and spice to foil to lush core. Made in Brazil – yes Brazil! The sugarcane based spirit is infused with 21 botanicals including six that are apparently not found in any other Gin. Hedonistic and delicious. $34.99 – 4.5 Stars
Straight Edge Bourbon Whiskey
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, deep mahogany color. The nose is wonderfully complex offering generous scents of sweet toasted grains, allspice, nutmeg, caramel, honey, and vanilla bean with hints of red fruits. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a rich grain and fruit core (the red fruits really pop here) with supporting notes of brown baking spices, toasted oak, and honey. Full-bodied being silky while bold with a long and complex palate that is ideally balanced thanks to a bright dose of acidity. Straight Edge is made with a blend of Bourbons ranging in age from five to eight years. $49.99 – 4.5 Stars
Whip Saw Rye Whiskey
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, deep amber/mahogany color. The nose instantly reveals that this is not your typical Rye Whiskey. Beautiful scents of vanilla cream, red cherry, caramelized sugar, candied citrus zest, and hints of tropical fruits. The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a core with sweet grains soaked with ripe red fruits supported by caramel, oak, fruit cake, and spicy rye accents. Full-bodied and damn intriguing as the wine casks essentially turn this Whiskey into a ready-to-drink cocktail tasting like a well crafted Manhattan. Made with Rye Whiskies aged up to seven years and then finished in wine seasoned French oak barrels. $49.99 – 4 Stars
The Famous Grouse Ruby Cask Blended Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, deep copper with hints of burgundy. The nose is reminiscent of Christmas with waves of brown baking spices, red fruits, and vanilla bean. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a rich, fruity core with spice accents creating flavors redolent of fruit cake with toasted oak rising on the finish. Medium-bodied with a bright fruit and spice core framed by oak and a bright dose of acidity. This is part of The Famous Grouse's cask series. This expression sees their original blend finished in Port seasoned casks. $34.99 – 4 Stars
The Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask Blended Scotch Whisky
Brilliant golden color. The nose is quite attractive offering scents of toasted oak and grain with supporting notes of caramel, vanilla, baked orchard fruits, and a hint of honey. The palate echoes the nose delivering a spicy oak core with waves of brown baking spices, toasted coconut, and soft pear accents. Medium-bodied with good length and ideal balance thanks a bright dose of acidity. This is part of The Famous Grouse's cask series. This expression is a blend of Whiskies primarily aged in American oak including Bourbon casks. $34.99 – 4 Stars
Partner Sweet Vermouth
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant deep ruby color. The nose is fruit forward with scents of ripe red berries filling the nose supported by accents of smoke, brown spices, dried herbs, and bitter earth notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering silky, ripe red cherries with tart fruits and wave after wave of dried and herbs and toasted spices with hints of sandalwood and anise. Medium-bodied with a vibrant and ripe fruity core that is balanced with complex herbal and spice accents. $25 – 4 Stars
Slaughter House American Whiskey
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant amber color with hints of ruby. On the first nosing the red fruits rise from the glass followed by scents of sweet, toasted grain, oak, red currant, honey, and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and robust corn Whiskey core with loads of red fruits, spice, toffee, and caramel. Full-bodied with a silky and sweet fruit and grain center with waves of spice and caramel. The Slaughter House Whiskey is made from primarily corn (85%) then aged in American oak for nine years before being finished in French oak that previously held a red Bordeaux style wine. $39.99 – 4.5 Stars
Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Ambrato Dry Vermouth
Brilliant medium deep gold/green color. The nose is wonderfully complex offering ripe, sweet Moscato wine with waves of bitter herbs, rhubarb, and a potpourri of dried wild flowers. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a lush, semisweet, white fruit core with waves of flowers and herbs with incredible length and a dry, citrus accented finish. Medium-bodied with a vibrant and ripe fruity core that is balanced with complex herbal and spice accents. This "Riserva" level M&R Bianco Vermouth is wildly different than their classic Bianco Vermouth that we all know being a big step up in complexity. It's made with Moscato d' Asti wines from the Piedmont region of Italy. $14.99 – 4.5 Stars
