Michter's Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully layered with pepper and brown spices mingling perfectly with brown butter, caramel, and butterscotch supported by rich, sweet toasted grain, and vanilla. The palate echoes the nose with black pepper and cloves in the lead quickly followed by a melange of brown baking spices, butter toffee, roasted cashews, baked apples and pears, and cinnamon stick with hints of burnt sugar and oak. This is an intense Bourbon while perfectly balanced with a raw, rustic charm that begs for sip after sip. $48 – 5 Stars
Pendleton Midnight Canadian Blended Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully fruity and floral with a backdrop of toasted grains supported by saddle leather, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, clove, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich fruit and spice driven core that is reminiscent of premium aged Rum. It's an amazing, seamless blend of fruit and grain. It's full-bodied without being brooding or heavy offering more elegance than weight with ideal balance. $34.95 – 4 Stars
Johnnie Walker Rye Cask Finish 10 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are rich with sweet grain, malt, caramel, toffee, and loads of brown baking spices with accents of candied ginger, vanilla bean, and peppery rye notes. The palate mirrors the nose delivering a lush malt and grain core with baking spice and black pepper notes rising on the finish. The rye notes are evident but a companion to the grain core rather than a dominating force. Ideally balanced with long, lingering flavors and a fresh dose of acidity. $45 – 5 Stars
Old Forester Birthday - 2010 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant amber color with an orange tint. The nose is incredibly fragrant and complex with dried fruits, vanilla, caramel, nougat, orange zest, and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but sprite mouthfeel with waves of silky fruit and caramel with flanking spice notes and a deft touch of oak. New flavors are revealed with each sip and a splash of water presents even more. $49.99 – 4 Stars
Old Forester Birthday - 2011 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant amber color with an orange tint. The aromatics rise from the glass as it's being poured. Nosing can be accomplished from 18 inches away. The nose is incredibly fragrant and complex offering up the essence of Bourbon with dried fruits, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, orange zest, and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich but vibrant mouthfeel with waves of silky baked fruit, caramel, clove, allspice, and black pepper. A splash of water brings all the flavors into harmony. Super! $49.99 – 4 Stars
King’s Ginger Liqueur
Brilliant pale golden color. The aromatics are simply beautiful offering much more than ginger alone with supporting notes of citrus zest and pulp, sugar cane juice, lemongrass, and galangal with hints of jasmine. The palate echoes the nose delivering a potent ginger and pepper surge presented on a viscous canvas that carries the flavors on for minutes after swallowing. A super digestif and ripe and ready for endless cocktail applications. $39.99 – 4 Stars
Grand Marnier Quintessence Liqueur
Deep copper with orange highlights. The nose is fresh, vibrant, and unmistakably Grand Marnier offering bright scents of orange and tangerine with orange zest, fully integrated wood notes, rich Cognac with hints of vanilla, allspice, and clove. The palate echoes the nose delivering sequential waves of candied orange zest with lush Cognac and exotic spices. This is a true luxury item with very limited availability. For those of us shopping in the strata below luxury be comforted by the knowledge that the classic GM Cordon Rouge is nearly as good and it does not require a layaway plan. $799.99 – 5 Stars
Glenfarclas Family Cask #2639 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Deep, dark mahogany with perfect clarity catching the light with copper edges. The nose is simply incredible offering generous Sherry and caramel notes with loads of dried fruits including dates, peach, apple, and candied orange peel with accents of leather, roasted walnuts, and brown baking spices. The palate is perfectly true to the aromatics expressing its full treasure with a modest splash of water. It's a real charmer whose only imperfection is the firm wood notes on the finish. The ideal gift for a special friend turning 50 this year. $949.99 – 4 Stars
Glenfarclas Family Cask #3551 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Deep copper color with perfect clarity. The aromatics are quite subtle when first poured but it blossoms and grows in short order revealing waves of candied roasted nuts, caramel, candied orange peel, and orchard fruits with accents of nutmeg, cinnamon, and complex sherry notes with hints of black pepper and clove. The palate echoes the nose being rich while delicate with layers of nuanced fruit and spice flavors. Incredibly balanced with a remarkable vibrancy that defies its age. A beautiful malt with an unexpected delicacy and style. The ideal gift for a special friend turning 40 this year. $599.99 – 5 Stars
Glenfarclas Family Cask #4567 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bright and surprisingly light colored with bright golden hues. The aromatics are bright and youthful with scents of candied ginger, fresh malt and grain, sandalwood, roasted nuts, dried apricot, and soft Sherry notes. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose and more with an unctuous and viscous core of Sherry and sweet malt flanked by brown baking spices, roasted nuts, black pepper, and butter toffee. This great old malt benefits from a modest dose of water that releases the complex aromas and flavors. Amazing. The ideal gift for a special friend turning 30 this year. $329.99 – 5 Stars
