Cubaney Gran Reserva 12 Years Old Rum
Deep mahogany color. Aromatic notes of vanilla, cola, treacle, and dark molasses fill the nose accented by exotic hints of clove, allspice, Bourbon, and black pepper. The palate echoes the nose delivering sweet molasses and spice notes with a soft trailing semi-sweet and spicy finish. Medium-bodied being slightly viscous with crisp pepper and dry spice notes. $29.99 – 3 Stars
Tyrconnell Single Malt Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Bright copper color. The nose offers a very pretty marriage of apples and pears, grain, and spice with accents of oak, honey, and citrus. The palate echoes the nose offering a balance between creamy malt and peppery notes. Citrus flavors abound on the finish as this dram becomes dry and crisp. $45 – 3.5 Stars
Bushmills Red Bush Blended Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, deep copper color. The nose is quite floral with bright notes of honey with accents of vanilla, grain, and spice. The palate echoes the nose delivering a light but sweet grain and honey-centric core with waves of spice and oak as it finishes short and dry. Medium-bodied with bright acidity but it does lack depth on the palate. The Bushmills Red is made from Whiskey aged exclusively in ex-Bourbon casks. $21 – 3 Stars
Boone Co. Jail Distillery Conjugal Visit American White Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The aromatics are reminiscent of stepping into a large feed warehouse with waves of raw grains filling the nose supported by accents sour mash. The palate echoes the nose with raw and rustic grain core with hints of sour bread dough and black pepper. Full-bodied with an assertive, full grain explosion that has quite a punch on the overproof palate. Made with 100% corn in Lebanon, Indiana. 3 Stars
Laphroaig Select Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant golden color. The nose is beautiful and classically Laphroaig with sweet campfire, peat, baked green apples, and coconut with subtle citrus and tropical accents. The palate is in full-agreement with the nose delivering a lush and sweet fruit, smoke, and peat core that trails off a bit quick. Medium to full-bodied with classic Laphroaig attributes while it falls a bit short of the classic Laphroaig proportions, balance and finish. $44.99 – 3.5 Stars
Cruzan Hurricane Proof Rum
Brilliant amber/orange color. The nose is filled with the scents of vanilla fudge, dried fruit, and honey with hints of treacle and brown baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering a powerful golden syrup-centric core with waves of brown spice, vanilla, and sweet oak. Full-bodied to be sure, bottled over-proof with generous sweet vanilla and decadent golden syrup notes at its core. Bottled at 137 proof in recognition of the wind speeds of the category 5 hurricane that swept through the brand's home island of St. Croix in 2017. $19.99 – 3.5 Stars
Crop Organic Meyer Lemon Flavored Vodka
Crystal clear with evident legs of glycerin streaming down the walls of the glass. The nose is vibrant with sweet with waves of Meyer lemon fruit and subtle hints of grain spirit. The palate echoes the nose delivering a blast of sweet lemon with a soft, lush palate entry that evolves to a zesty finish. A fresh cocktail addition with applications ranging from the bloody mary to the cosmo. $25.99 – 3 Stars
Tanteo Habanero Infused Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear with a faint hint of straw. The nose is quite floral with subtle and sweet herbal and chili notes rising from the glass. The palate is quite different from the nose as it opens with a faint sweet note that soon gives way to an assertive chili burn that lingers for minutes. Medium-bodied with very intense chili heat that dominates the palate. Made with 100% Blue Agave Tequila and infused with fresh habanero peppers from the Yucatan. $39.99 – 3 Stars
Bacardi Gran Reserva Diez 10 Years Old Rum
Brilliant, deep amber color. The nose explodes with rich caramel and tropical fruits and waves of sweet brown baking spices, treacle, and toffee. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a decadent dessert style Rum that expands on the palate and finishes with sweet vanilla and cola. Full-bodied with a dense and lush core that expands to a sweet spirit that is redolent of sweet Sherry. $39.99 – 3.5 Stars
Vermont Spirits Coppers Barrel Gin
Brilliant, pale copper color. The nose is very expressive leading with a bright blast of cinnamon and tropical fruits marking a clear departure from the original Coppers Gin. The palate echoes the nose as the brown baking spices from the barrels dominate the flavor profile while accentuating the cassia and cardamon with accents of caramel and toasted coconut. Full-bodied with bold wood notes that have won the battle versus the softer, more subtle botanical accents of the Coppers Gin. $32.99 – 3.5 Stars
