Martini & Rossi Bitter
Brilliant, electric ruby color. The aromatics are beautifully complex with scents of ripe red fruit supported by bitter bark, crushed teaberry, rhubarb, red grapefruit zest, quinine, and blood orange. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush but very vibrant red fruit core with waves of herbs, citrus, and tart red fruits than finish dry. Medium-bodied being ideally balanced with the classic contrast of bitter herbs with a semisweet red fruit core. We love this bitter and we have a new Bitter for our regular Negroni nights as it's every bit as good — if not better — than the other brand we all know! In competitive markets this lovely aperitif sells for well under $20 a bottle. $26.99 – 4.5 Stars
Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant deep copper with hints of gold. The nose is rich and generous with waves of butterscotch, wood, nutmeg, and apricot with hints of deep caramel. The palate echoes the nose with a lovely fruit and toffee-driven core supported by accents of brown baking spices, red currants, sweet grains, and baked apple. Full-bodied with a lush and silky core that finishes dry with vibrant spice and wood notes. The 1910 Old Fine has undergone a second barreling in a lightly toasted, heavily charred barrel. The resulting Whiskey has bold wood and burnt sugar accents to be sure. $54.99 – 4 Stars
Highland Park Magnus Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, deep golden color. A wonderfully complex nose offering scents of Christmas cake with a bold dose of peat followed by notes of citrus, orange peel, honey, heather, and jasmine. The palate echoes the nose delivering a vibrant, fruity core with flanking notes of peat, earth, citrus, brown baking spices, ginger, and heather. Medium to full-bodied with sweet fruit becoming dry on the finish with a bright dose of acidity. Made with a portion of Orcadian peat burned in the distillery’s own kiln. $37.99 – 4 Stars
Old Forester Birthday - 2018 12 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, rich mahogany with a hint of orange. The nose is incredibly fruity ranging from baked pears and apples to black cherry with waves of honey, Earl Grey tea, charred oak, roasted nuts, and toffee. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and robust fruit and caramel-centric core with supporting notes of brown baking spices, honey, and citrus zest. Full-bodied with ideal balance and an amazing depth of flavor that keeps building towards the 30 second finish. One of our favorite Birthday releases to date. $99.99 – 5 Stars
Ransom Dry Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is amazingly aromatic with the scents of juniper and fresh wild berries leaping from the glass on a sea of rich, malty spirit. Accents of citrus, hops, and coriander offer generous support. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and dense malt spirit core with citrus and seed tannins on the mid palate giving way to lighter, more floral botanicals on the finish. Full-bodied and quite intense as the sweet aromatic nose leads to a dry and chewy core with botanicals galore. Stylistically this Gin is in a camp of its own possessing the sweet malt core of a Genever with the assertive botanicals portioned in the mold of a craft Beer IPA. $29.99 – 4 Stars
Ransom Old Tom Gin
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, pale copper color. The nose is wonderfully rich and seductive with a blast of sweet pine and juniper filling the nose supported by orange peel, angelica, cardamon, and citrus. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich and lush core of semisweet spirit with waves of juniper, citrus, and baking spices. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with the decadent spirit being supported by a generous dose of acidity making it a pleasure to sip while the fine balance of botanicals offer intrigue. This is a superb Old Tom style with that offers countless cocktail possibilities while being a pure joy to sip neat. $39.99 – 4.5 Stars
Tarantula Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Pale golden color with perfect clarity. The nose delivers rich, ripe fruit with prominent wood notes including vanilla, brown baking spices, caramel, and toasted oak. The palate confirms the nose with a generous fruit driven core with wood accents and a big dose of black pepper. It finishes mildly hot showing-off the high proof spirit. $24.99 – 2.5 Stars
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum
Brilliant, beautiful deep copper color. The nose is filled with rich, dried fruits, sweet caramel, and vanilla with accents of nut butter, allspice, honey, and oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet fruit and caramel filled core with waves of toffee, honey, and brown butter finishing with accents of oak and brown spice. Full-bodied with a lush and viscous core foiled by bright notes of acidity and accents of orange peel. A classic sipping Rum. $40 – 4 Stars
Dos Maderas 5+3 Rum
Brilliant, deep golden color. The nose is wonderfully complex with tropical fruits and caramel supported by notes of leather, mineral, Sherry, and oak. The palate confirms the nose while being drier than may be expected with waves of dried black berries, allspice, marzipan, and vanilla bean. Full-bodied and dry while also being generous with fruit and caramel supported by complex spice notes kept fresh with a big dose of bright acidity. A superb sipping Rum pairing well with chocolate or an after dinner cigar. $33.99 – 4 Stars
Griffin's Wharf 1773 Coffee Liqueur
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeep, dark mahogany color. The nose is filled with the scent of strong, dark roasted coffee with accents of molasses, brown sugar, allspice, and hints of dark chocolate. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich but vibrant roasted coffee core with flanking notes of brown spice, cocoa, and burnt sugar. Medium-bodied with layers of coffee and cocoa with a bright dose of acidity giving perfect balance and making this Coffee Liqueur a pleasure to sip neat. Extremely versatile with countless hot and cold cocktail options. $24.99 – 4.5 Stars
