Hyde Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are very spicy with a well-integrated oak backbone that offers a perfect platform for ripe, rich stone fruits, lemon curd, honey, and caramel. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and quite spicy fruit, Sherry, and honey-focused core with layers of pepper, brown baking spices, and loads of oak. Full-bodied with intense spice, Sherry, and oak flavors that envelop the rich fruit. $70 – 4 Stars
Azzurre Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are surprisingly fruity as sweet scents of ripe orchard fruits with tropical accents fill the nose supported by hints of mineral, citrus, and hay. The palate echoes the nose delivering a silky fruit-driven core with loads of grassy, sweet accents, mineral, and citrus zest to keep it dry. Medium-bodied with good balance and a dry, citrus-accented finish. $27 – 4 Stars
Azzurre Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is vibrant and generous with fresh citrus pulp and zest, wild herbs and heather, grapefruit, pineapple, basil, and bright juniper. The palate echoes the nose delivering a generous citrus core with flanking notes of mineral, herbs, and sweet evergreen accents. Medium-bodied with ideal balance while being more gentle than many Gins undoubtedly due to its moderate alcohol. $27 – 4.5 Stars
Kinahan's Blended Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are quite beautiful filling the nose with scents of ripe orchard fruits featuring pear and peach with accents of wild herbs, mint, honey, and vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering waves of fruit and malted barley at its core with flanking notes of herbs, oak, dark cocoa nibs, and subtle brown baking spices with a hint of citrus. Medium to full-bodied with ideal balance and long, lingering flavors that become drier on the finish. $39.99 – 4.5 Stars
Kinahan's Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are certainly generous offering rich scents of butter toffee, honey, dried red fruits, toasted grain, orange peel and black tea with hints of allspice, pepper, and oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose with the fruit component taking center stage then being quickly enveloped by spice, wood, and cigar. Full-bodied with a a dense and assertive core that finishes dry. $64.99 – 4 Stars
Teeling Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are quite complex offering scents of roasted malt with ripe stone fruits with rich butter toffee, and toasted almonds with hints of lemon zest and nutmeg. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush while very vibrant fruit and grain-driven core with loads of brown baking spices, ginger biscuits, vanilla bean, and bright citrus accents. Medium-bodied with ideal balance as the acidity level is quite generous and finishing with dry barrel notes. $59.99 – 4 Stars
Poli Distillerie Sarpa di Poli Grappa
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is incredibly floral with fresh scents of savory herbs (tarragon and peppermint jump out), rose petals, aloe, citrus zest, and mineral. The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a zesty, rustic fruit, and herbal core with generous citrus notes adding dimension and a peppery punch. Medium-bodied with a rich and slightly chewy core offering perfect balance with a generous dose of bright acidity. $53 – 4 Stars
Nardini Aquavite di Vinaccia Bianca Grappa
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are wonderfully floral and complex intertwining fresh flowers with dried flowers, hints of tea and honey add accents with subtle notes of earth. Rich, dense, and viscous with flavors of citrus, jasmine tea, blanched almonds, wild flower honey, and loads of savory herbs that become bitter in all the right ways on the finish. Full-bodied with layers of intense flavors (aided by the higher proof) and a silky, viscous core that is kept clean with a generous splash of acidity. $53 – 4.5 Stars
Christian Drouin Réserve des Fiefs Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is filled with the vibrant scents of ripe and baked apples, with hints of fermenting skins, wild flowers, stone fruits, and mineral. The palate is in full agreement with the nose adding fresh, rich apple juice notes with accents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of earth and oak. Medium-bodied with a well-proportioned palate and lingering apple and spice notes. $69.99 – 4 Stars
Christian Drouin Vintage 1996 Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are rich and dense with scents of wild honey, baked apples, caramel, red fruits, almonds, brown baking spices, and dried fruits (fruitcake like). The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering waves of fruit ranging from plum, red berries, apricot, and of course apple with hints of honeycomb, nutmeg, and oak. Medium to full-bodied with intense waves of fruit and spice while maintaining a very pleasing balance. $163.99 – 4 Stars
