Don Q Signature Release/Single Barrel 2005 Rum
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. There is a generous oak note but I find it to be very rounded and mellow (especially with a few drops of water) as the exotic brown spices from the oak marry beautifully with rich dried fruits, caramel, and roasted nuts. The palate echoes the nose delivering a silky, caramel, and fruit-focused core with an incredibly generous dose of brown baking spice, toasted oak, vanilla, and leather that finishes dry. Medium-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a fresh dose of acidity and firm wood tannins that rise on the finish. $39.99 – 4.5 Stars
Pasote Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wild and complex offering scents of baked and raw agave with a beautiful, fresh herbal layer that flows seamlessly to green, fresh jalapeno with lime. It's a Mexican kitchen in a glass. The palate matches the nose is each respect delivering an agave fruit core that is generously supported by waves of green herbs, lime, and peppery heat that fades to a sweet, baked agave fruit finish. Medium-bodied while full-throttle in terms of the flavors with great definition of flavor with long, lingering flavors. $49 – 5 Stars
Pasote Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are lovely and inviting as this repo carries on the rich fruit found in their blanco while some of the more angular herbal edges have been tamed and replaced with soft honey and cask notes. The palate echoes the nose delivering a soft and silky agave and orchard fruit core with supporting notes of lime, salt, mineral, and delicate spice notes provided by the cask. Medium-bodied with rich, generous flavors of agave. Perfctly balanced with a bright dose of acidity that keeps it vibrant and allows the subtle secondary notes to shine. $59 – 5 Stars
Pasote Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is very vibrant with scents of agave and fresh herbal notes outpacing the exotic and sweet wood notes that offer supporting notes of vanilla and caramel. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush agave core that is fully enveloped in sweet oak cask notes including vanilla, allspice, and caramel. Medium-bodied with a generous dose of bright acidity not always found in añejo Tequila. The flavors are generous and bold while maintaining ideal balance. $69 – 4.5 Stars
Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Flavored Vodka
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is very lively with waves of ripe grapefruit and tropical fruits supported by accents of lemon and cream soda. The palate equals the nose offering bright fruit core flanked by notes of citrus pith and pepper with a sweet/tart flavor rising on the finish. Medium-bodied and fruity whil being both a bit fat and tart with citrus and spice notes. $40 – 2.5 Stars
Old Tahoe Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is quite subtle offering scents of honey, butterscotch, brown baking spices, and secondary notes of vanilla and caramel. The palate confirms the nose delivering soft, sweet barrel notes with a rich butterscotch core and little to no spice that one would associate with Rye Whiskey. Medium-bodied and soft in style and texture. $38 – 3.5 Stars
Old Tahoe Honey Flavored Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is greeted with the scent of sweet honey with a supporting Whiskey note that includes sweet grains, vanilla, and caramel. The palate delivers a full-throttle honey sensation with flanking notes of vanilla, brown sugar, and subtle tropical fruit notes. Medium-bodied and quite sweet. $35 – 3 Stars
Frey Ranch Vodka
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is filed with the scents of pure grain spirit with corn certainly in the lead. The aromatics are so pure that the corn takes on a fruity note (peach and melon) that is supported by mineral, sweet talc, and a hint of pepper. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush and fruit-filled core with flanking notes of pepper that are more prominent on the finish. Medium-bodied with perfect balance and a silky texture that while generous finishes quite dry. $29.99 – 4.5 Stars
Frey Ranch Gin
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The vibrant juniper jumps from the glass and greets the nose followed quickly by the sagebrush that adds a unique note. Waves of exotic spices add to the fun with a bright citrus note that seems to frame all of the botanicals. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and chewy core with an incredibly dense and chewy array of fresh botanicals with trailing notes of coriander and citrus. Medium to full-bodied with ideal balance and great length. $29.99 – 5 Stars
Malfy Con Limone Gin
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are unique in the Gin world with vibrant lemon flowers, lemon zest, and pulp taking the lead with juniper taking on a supporting roll. The palate confirms the nose again delivering a bright, assertive lemon note that reveals many complex layers and subtle botanical accents on a canvas of a silky and pure spirit. Medium-bodied with perfect balance with a rich, silky texture that carries the flavors from the fruity entry to the dry, zesty finish. $28.99 – 5 Stars
