Booker's Big Time Batch Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nosing at full strength shows dense fruit and spice notes with sweet caramel but a big blast of alcohol as well. With the addition of water it really blossoms revealing nuanced scents of banana bread, rich caramel with allspice, black pepper, cloves, ginger, orange peel, vanilla bean, and star anise. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and powerful core of fruit and spice with countess barrel notes and a long, trailing finish that becomes drier as it fades. Full-bodied and quite aggressive with its nearly 70% abv but it does become a more gentle giant with the addition of water. $299.99 – 5 Stars
Linie Aquavit
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is filled with the scents of caraway and anise with supporting notes of dill seed, orange peel, clove, dried figs, and vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich spice and fruit core as the Sherry cask flavors come alive with accents of citrus and peppermint. Medium-bodied with too many layers of fruit and spice to dissect with bright acidity aiding in the perfect balance. $29.99 – 5 Stars
Casa D'Aristi Kalani Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is unmistakably raw and baked, sweet coconut with accents of coconut cream, cocoa, and hints of caramel. The palate confirms the nose delivering an incredibly rich coconut-driven core with waves of cream, cocoa, and baked coconut with hints of citrus on the finish keeping it fresh and vibrant. Medium-bodied and sweet while never being cloying giving waves of complex coconut flavors. $32.95 – 5 Stars
Casa D'Aristi XTA Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully intense with scents of exotic tropical flowers, honey, and anise with hints of wild mint, candied orange peel, and papaya. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich honey and anise focused core with flanking notes of mint and honeycomb. Full-bodied with intense spice and herbal flavors that give this sweet and lush Liqueur an unexpected vibrancy. $32.95 – 5 Stars
Christian Brothers Sacred Bond – Bottled in Bond American Brandy
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is rich with the scents of red and black berries with notes of plum, vanilla bean, fig, nougat, marzipan, allspice, and black currant jam. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a rich, fruit-focused core with waves of sweet vanilla, brown baking spices, and spicy/sweet oak. Being bottled at 50% abv it is quite intense while still being very nuanced and complex with perfect balance and great length. $24.99 – 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
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
West Cork 10 Years Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully intense with waves of rich caramel malt, tea biscuits, honey, wild flowers, vanilla bean, and toffee. The palate is in full agreement with the nose while delivering a super rich and ever-expansive malt core that is impossibly silky. Supporting notes of brown baking spices, gingerbread, and toasted oak round out the package. This single malt is bold and beautiful while never being cloying or heavy as vibrant spice notes and a generous dose of acidity keep it fresh. $39.99 – 5 Stars
