Cedar Ridge Wheat Whiskey
Brilliant, pale golden color. The aromatics are quite delicate offering scents of steeped grains, butterscotch, toffee, and subtle baked orchard fruits. The palate confirms the nose being a bit drier than expected with a grassy core and assertive notes of green tea emerging on the finish. Medium-bodied with bright grain and green notes that become astringent on the finish. $42 – 3 Stars
Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant copper color. The nose is complex and subtle for a Bourbon with scents of grain, brown baking spices, and oak, with accents of dried herbs, fresh mint, and hints of toffee. The palate echoes the nose delivering a a dry and slightly astringent fruit and caramel core with flanking notes of baking spices, pepper, and toasted grain. Medium-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a bright dose of acidity and dry spices. $39 – 3.5 Stars
Gin Lane 1751 Victoria Pink Gin
Brilliant, pink salmon color. The nose is quite vibrant offering scents of fresh juniper with a bright floral backdrop and supporting notes of bitter herbs and citrus. The palate confirms the nose while being fuller and richer than expected delivering a fresh floral and juniper core with flanking notes of citrus zest and bitter herbs enveloped in a silky spirit. Medium-bodied with a round, silky core and a bright dose of acidity offering perfect balance. $24.99 – 4.5 Stars
Clyde May's Non-Chill Filtered 5 Years Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekVery deep amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of sweet grains, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla bean, and baked orchard fruits with flanking notes of brown baking spices and charred oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a fruit-forward core with waves of exotic spices, vanilla, and sweet barrel notes with hints of black pepper and leather. Full-bodied with rich and bright fruit while maintaining an ideal balance thanks to a bright dose of acidity and generous spice accents. $39.99 – 4 Stars
Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper Liqueur
Brilliant, deep mahogany/burnt orange color. Once you nose this spirit the new addition is quite evident as sharp pepper notes, courtesy of Tabasco, rises from the glass. On the palate the entry is equal parts sweet peaches and vibrant Tabasco flavors. Soon the pepper takes over and runs strong through the finish and beyond as the Tabasco heat lingers for minutes after the spirit has been swallowed. Medium-bodied and a bit disjointed with intense heat. If you are not in a college bar you will likely never have to encounter this product.$17 – 2 Stars
William Wolf Frisky Flavored Whisk(e)y
Brilliant bronze color. The nose is filled with the sweet scent of caramel, butterscotch, and cashew brittle with accents of brown sugar. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a very sweet, caramel-forward core with flanking notes of toffee. Medium-bodied with sweet caramel and Liqueur proportions. $24.99 – 3 Stars
William Wolf Coffee Flavored Whisk(e)y
Brilliant mahogany color. The nose is filled with the scent of roasted coffee beans, toasted mixed nuts, and black patent malt with hints of caramel and brown sugar. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bright coffee/espresso-core with flanking notes of brown sugar that transition to drier finish that for the first time shows this spirit's Whiskey base. Medium-bodied with vibrant coffee notes with the sugar well in check with a dose of acidity and dry Whiskey notes. $24.99 – 4 Stars
Toast Vodka with Coconut Water Flavored Vodka
Crystal Clear. The aromatics are quite subtle save an earthy, coconut husk scent with waves of mineral as well. The palate is equally subtle with a silky core and flanking notes of dry coconut and mineral with hot spirity notes rising on the finish being met by the earthy tones found on the nose. Medium-bodied with a silky, slightly chewy center and long lingering pepper and earth notes. $31 – 3 Stars
Three Meadows Peony Flavored Vodka
Crystal clear. The aromatics are quite beautiful offering scents of wild flowers, jasmine tea, vanilla bean, and subtle tropical fruits. The palate echoes the nose while becoming a great deal more animated lifting the beautiful floral mélange to new heights by delivering a lightly sweet essence of the aromatics with a subtle citrus edge on the finish that gives balance and length. Medium-bodied with semisweet floral notes expanding on the palate while showing perfect balance. $33 – 4 Stars
FOS Greek Mastiha Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear with viscous legs in the glass. The nose is very interesting and unique offering waves of pine cone and pine needles with dried herbs, dried lemon peel, anise seed, and sweet pickle juice. The palate echoes the nose delivering a softer herbal mélange as sweet sugar does mute the flavors and makes it all a bit more uniform. Medium-bodied with a rich and nearly cloying wave of sweet white sugar notes. $31.99 – 3.5 Stars