Tarantula Plata, 100% Agave Tequila
Crystal clear. The nose is vibrantly fruity and floral with fresh cut herbs & grass, lime zest, and fermented tropical fruits. The palate echoes the nose being lush and silky with ripe tropical fruit, sweet grass and pithy, tart citrus fruits with hints of salt and pepper heat. A bit too assertive for sipping but this bold Tequila is made for cocktails. $17.99 – 3 Stars
1921 Crema de Tequila Liqueur
This liqueur has the appearance of a cream with a touch of mocha being quite viscous and clinging to the glass. The aromatics are surprisingly complex and alluring offering scents of cafe au lait, mocha, brown butter, toasted walnut, nougat, cocoa, cinnamon bark, and subtle hints of citrus. The palate is perfectly aligned with the nose filling the mouth with silky cream while maintaining ideal balance. This pleasing liqueur has just the right touch of sweetness with a soft coffee bean astringency that gives it dimension and vibrancy. The Tequila notes are very subtle but present. This is one cream liqueur that is hard to put down and easy to love. $29.99 – 4 Stars
Casamigos Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is fantastically rich and complex with scents of ripe agave, as well as tropical and orchard fruits with accents of honey, candied ginger, and citrus with hints of black pepper and vanilla bean. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, velvet-like mouthfeel with a concerto of ripe fruit at its core flanked perfectly by notes of sea salt, spice, and citrus. Ideally balanced and perfect for sipping or making one hell of a luxurious margarita. $42.99 – 5 Stars
Casamigos Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant pale straw color. The aromatics are rich with ripe with scents of sweet baked agave, baked apple, pineapple, and pear with accents of cinnamon, allspice, clove, and candied ginger. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a viscous but vibrant core of baked fruit with supporting notes of caramel, brown baking spices, black pepper, and lime zest. Nicely balanced with a deft addition of wood spice allowing the pure agave spirit to shine. $49.99 – 4 Stars
Given Liqueur
Brilliant golden/green color. The nose is oh-so intriguing with sweet and tart lime notes in the lead supported by a melange of exotic fruits akin to walking through a Singapore open air market. The first sip reveals a surprisingly tart and complex spirit that evolves into a multilayered liqueur with bright citrus notes and waves of tropical fruits framed in a generous portion of vibrant citrus acid. Medium-bodied and smi-viscous. $33 – 4 Stars
Avion Blanco, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is amazingly complex and generous with waves of wild flowers with loads of ripe agave, tropical fruits, baked pear, honeysuckle, citrus zest, and black pepper. The palate is equal to the nose being lush while vibrant with layers of citrus, earth, sea salt, coriander seed, soft green notes, and a refreshing dose of acidity that begs for the next sip. This is a wonderfully proportioned Tequila with great length and balance. It sips well but in a fresh cocktail this Blanco would be most at home. $40 – 5 Stars
Avion Añejo, 100% Agave Tequila
Pale golden color with brilliant clarity and some serious legs in the glass. The nose reveals a well-knit Anejo showing equal deference to the rich agave spirit and the sexy wood cask notes. The palate opens with a silky wave of baked orchard fruits with supporting accents of citrus, brown baking spices, and wood. Soft and faint caramel notes add weight while the signature acidity still shines through. Ideally balanced with superb length and the proper intrigue to keep one sipping for hours. Brilliant with a medium bodied cigar. $50 – 4 Stars
Avion Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant pale straw color showing just faint barrel influences. However, the aromatics are full of barrel notes as cinnamon, allspice, clove, and pepper mingle with the generous baked tropical and orchard fruits. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich but vibrant mélange of baked fruits with waves of spice and citrus. The bright and uplifting dose of acidity found in the Avion Blanco is present here as well, perfectly supporting the semisweet brown spices. A repo worthy of sipping as the pure agave spirit plays the starring role. $45 – 5 Stars
Avion Espresso Liqueur
Deep, dark black coffee color being completely opaque. The nose is unmistakably filled with Italian espresso with supporting notes of Mexican dark chocolate, vanilla bean, and a hint of pepper. The palate is richer and sweeter than the nose would suggest with Avion’s signature acidity to keep it fresh and vibrant - no small feat for a liqueur. While certainly sweet it is remarkable to experience the balance of roasted dry coffee beans and pepper punctuating the lush and generous core. $24.99 – 4 Stars
Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach Liqueur
Crystal clear with a beautiful and nearly indescribable color being part peach, gold, pale ruby, and copper. The aromatics are dominated by peach and citrus with a good deal of zest and a touch of pith while on whole being quite delicate. The palate is more assertive with sweet raspberry notes coming to the fore flanked by orange zest and peach concentrate. At the heart of this liqueur is GM’s ideal marriage of orange and Cognac. This is a wonderful addition to the portfolio and a new clever tool for bartenders. $39.99 – 4 Stars
