Usquaebach An Ard Ri Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully complex offering scents of stewed fruits along with fresh pear, pineapple, and red apple supported by waves of brown baking spices (allspice and nutmeg are prominent), caramel, black pepper, wood, and toffee. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush and silky fruit driven core with accents of baking spice, toasted grains, wood, Sherry, and dry black pepper notes on the finish. This is an intense and multilayered blended malt that changes constantly in the glass as it aerates, revealing new layers of flavors. $200 – 3.5 Stars
Cedar Ridge Wheat Whiskey
Brilliant, pale golden color. The aromatics are quite delicate offering scents of steeped grains, butterscotch, toffee, and subtle baked orchard fruits. The palate confirms the nose being a bit drier than expected with a grassy core and assertive notes of green tea emerging on the finish. Medium-bodied with bright grain and green notes that become astringent on the finish. $42 – 3 Stars
Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant copper color. The nose is complex and subtle for a Bourbon with scents of grain, brown baking spices, and oak, with accents of dried herbs, fresh mint, and hints of toffee. The palate echoes the nose delivering a a dry and slightly astringent fruit and caramel core with flanking notes of baking spices, pepper, and toasted grain. Medium-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a bright dose of acidity and dry spices. $39 – 3.5 Stars
William Wolf Frisky Flavored Whisk(e)y
Brilliant bronze color. The nose is filled with the sweet scent of caramel, butterscotch, and cashew brittle with accents of brown sugar. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a very sweet, caramel-forward core with flanking notes of toffee. Medium-bodied with sweet caramel and Liqueur proportions. $24.99 – 3 Stars
Toast Vodka with Coconut Water Flavored Vodka
Crystal Clear. The aromatics are quite subtle save an earthy, coconut husk scent with waves of mineral as well. The palate is equally subtle with a silky core and flanking notes of dry coconut and mineral with hot spirity notes rising on the finish being met by the earthy tones found on the nose. Medium-bodied with a silky, slightly chewy center and long lingering pepper and earth notes. $31 – 3 Stars
FOS Greek Mastiha Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear with viscous legs in the glass. The nose is very interesting and unique offering waves of pine cone and pine needles with dried herbs, dried lemon peel, anise seed, and sweet pickle juice. The palate echoes the nose delivering a softer herbal mélange as sweet sugar does mute the flavors and makes it all a bit more uniform. Medium-bodied with a rich and nearly cloying wave of sweet white sugar notes. $31.99 – 3.5 Stars
Jumbie Pineapple Splash Flavored Rum
See the Full BevX Featured ReviewBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is filled with sweet tropical fruit featuring pineapple with mandarin orange and other tropical fruits as well. The palate is in full agreement with the nose with sweet tropical fruits at the core with soft notes of confectioners' sugar, tropical flowers, and hints of vanilla. Medium-bodied with sweet tropical fruits. $14.99 – 3 Stars
Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin Flavored Vodka
Deep golden color with orange undertones and visible viscosity. The aromatics are unmistakably pumpkin with loads of traditional brown baking spices and a mild lactic, cream cheese like accent. The palate echoes the nose remaining as dry as the aromatics as well with a trailing note of cola. Full-bodied with rich flavors being drier and more vibrant than expected. $30 – 3 Stars
Blue Nectar Extra Blend Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is filled with the scents of charred oak and baked agave with supporting notes of brown baking spices, black pepper, and burnt marshmallow. The palate is largely in agreement with the nose while the bitter and astringent wood notes that envelope the baked agave was more aggressive than anticipated. Medium to full-bodied with loads of spice and oak. $44.99 – 3 Stars
Blue Nectar Special Craft Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is intruiging with brown baking spices, vanilla, and brown sugar taking the lead followed by scents of sweet agave and subtle oak notes. The palate is simpatico with the nose while being a good bit sweeter than even the nose suggests with Christmas spices filling the palate. Medium-bodied with loads of spice and a very sweet, fruity core. $49.99 – 3 Stars
