Lunazul Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, copper color. The nose is dominated by sweet, brown baking spices (cinnamon and nutmeg), toasted oak, and roasted nuts with baked fruits in support. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a decadent spice and oak-driven core with waves of caramel, cashew butter, and vibrant black pepper notes rising on the finish. Medium to full-bodied with rich, toasted oak and spice keeping it sprite. Aged in ex-Bourbon barrels for 12 to 18 months. $22.99 – 4 Stars
Lunazul El Humoso Smoked Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are dominated by spicy smoke with accents of fire-roasted chili and hints of cooked tropical fruits. The palate echoes the nose delivering a smoky wood and sweet chili-dominated core with hints of spice and grilled lime. Medium-bodied with persistent smoke that dominates the sweet fruit and bright citrus that struggle to emerge. $29.99 – 3.5 Stars
King of Kentucky Barrel No. 8 15 Years Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, deep, cherry wood color. The nose is amazingly harmonious, sweet, and complex even before a water addition. (It's better after a splash of water.) The nose is filled with scents of charred oak, baked apples and pears, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and roasted nuts. The palate echoes the nose delivering a dense baked fruit and vanilla cream focused core with generous waves of brown baking spices, toasted coconut, black pepper, and honey. 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 over 2,000 bottles available. $250 – 4.5 Stars
Bib & Tucker American White Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are reminiscent of stepping into a large feed warehouse (I love that smell) with waves of raw grains filling the nose supported by accents of grass, wild herbs, and bread dough. The palate confirms the nose delivering a dense, grain-focused core with waves of spice, dried herbs, and sweet sap accents. Medium-bodied with lush grains and vibrant edges thanks to a dose of bright acidity. $40 – 3 Stars
Nemiroff Vodka
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear The nose is ultra clean and pure with scents of wet river stones, chalk, and sweet grain (wheat), with accents of under-ripe pear, dried flowers, and mineral. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich wheat-centric core with waves of mineral and citrus zest with supporting notes of white pepper, vanilla bean, and ginger. Medium-bodied with a lovely, silky texture that ideally carries the sweet wheat and mineral notes finishing with a dose of bright acidity and pepper. This lovely wheat Vodka from Ukraine is super versatile and an amazing value as well. $19.99 – 5 Stars
Nemiroff Honey Pepper Flavored Vodka
Brilliant, pale golden color. The nose is quite delicate and even understated with bright, sweet honey notes in the lead with accents of spring flowers, red chili, and cider with subtle hints of iodine. The palate echoes the nose while being far more expressive with rich honey flavors supported by red chili, baked orchard fruits, and subtle cinnamon heat. Medium-bodied with ideal balance as it delivers its flavors in a subtle and silky manner. Despite the pepper addition it gives no burn at all. Sip chilled or use it in a uniquely flavored Moscow Mule. $19.99 – 4.5 Stars
Espolon Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, pale golden color. The nose is rich, sweet, and fruity with hints of vanilla. The palate is true to the aromatics with a rich fruity core flanked by spice and a pronounced wood note. Medium-bodied while being refined, mature, and nicely proportioned with a dry wood note. $21.99 – 3.5 Stars
Francescano Natura Assisi Peach Cream Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is amazingly generous with ripe peaches and a touch of apricot nesting on a stone fruit custard. The palate echoes the nose delivering a very lush, peach and custard core that offers subtle peach skin notes as well to add interest with accents of citrus rising on the finish. Medium-bodied with incredible viscosity coating every corner of your mouth. $21.99 – 3.5 Stars
Heaven's Door Tennessee Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, deep bronze color. The nose is vibrant with generous notes of sweet grains, banana bread, butterscotch, and honey with hints of toffee, beeswax, nutmeg, and vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet, honeyed grain-driven core with spicy rye accents with hints of earth and toasted oak. Full-bodied with a lush, sweet core while balanced with a bright dose of acidity. Aged in new American oak for a minimum of seven years. $49.99 – 4 Stars
Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDense and viscous, mocha cream. The nose is subtle yet complex with notes of white chocolate, vanilla cream, marzipan, and a backbone of Irish Malt Whiskey. The palate echoes the nose delivering a silky, rich cream base with complex spice and chocolate notes that are kept vibrant by the bright Whiskey flavors that while subtle are indispensable. Rich and generous without being cloying with perfect balance that just begs for the next sip. $26.99 – 5 Stars
