Christian Drouin Vintage 1980 Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, deep amber color. The nose is vibrant with the scents of rich, baked apples and sweet red fruits supported by waves of caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, sweet cigar tobacco, oak, and hints of vanilla. The palate is equally rich and decadent with loads of baking spice flavors that elevate the rich fruit finishing with spicy ginger, black pepper, and oak notes. Ideally balanced with incredible length and weight contrasted by bright acidity and peppery accents. We tasted the 1980 vintage 10 years ago and this release, with 10 more years in cask (giving more red fruit accents) this lovely Calvados has vastly improved. $350 – 4.5 Stars
Old Overholt Bonded Straight Rye Whiskey
Deep, golden amber color. The aromatics are beautiful and alluring with waves of baked orchard fruits, caramel, charred oak, nutmeg, and black pepper. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but vibrant core of sweet grains, caramel, and butterscotch with brown spices and pepper rising on the finish with charred oak lingering. Full-bodied with dense fruit, caramel, and spice notes offered with ideal balance and weight. $24.99 – 4.5 Stars
Christian Drouin Sélection Calvados, Pays d’Auge
Brilliant, golden straw color. The nose is greeted with bright fruit, fresh cider notes with strong hints of pear, supporting notes of wood, subtle brown baking spice accents, and hints of citrus. The palate totally agrees with the aromatics delivering a generous and vibrant apple and pear-focused core with waves of citrus, spice, and mineral. Medium-bodied with perfect balance and a soft, lingering apple cider note. $35 – 4 Stars
Christian Drouin Le Gin
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose is wonderfully aromatic with waves of bright juniper supported by generous notes of lemon zest, rose, blanched almonds, cardamon, and hints of vanilla bean. The palate echoes the nose delivering a vibrant botanical-driven core with bright citrus flavors in the lead supported by ginger with hints of brown baking spices. Medium to full-bodied with ideal balance thanks to a bright note of acidity with a vibrant botanicals delivered in perfect measure on a backdrop of a silky, pure spirit. $45 – 4.5 Stars
Benriach The Original Ten 10 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant golden color. Sweet grains and baked apples dominate the nose supported by honeycomb, caramel, toasted oak, and hints of orange peel. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush core of ripe orchard fruits with flanking spice notes, malt, toffee, and hints of vanilla bean. Medium to full-bodied with a bright dose of fresh acidity and seductive fruit notes. $53.99 – 4.5 Stars
Benriach The Smoky Ten 10 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant golden color. The nose is vibrant with the scents of ripe orchard fruits enveloped in sweet smoke with waves of honey and brown baking spices. The palate confirms the nose delivering baked pears and apples with lush, sweet smoke accents supported by spice, oak, and caramel. Full-bodied with ideal balance and decadent fruit and smoke flavors. $59.99 – 4.5 Stars
Benriach The Twelve 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant gold to copper color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe, red berries with loads of honey, caramel, and dark chocolate accented with nutmeg and ginger biscuits. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a lush red fruit-driven core with waves of toffee, orange peel, Christmas cake, and treacle. Full-bodied with a sweet, opulent texture drinking like a powerful dessert in a glass. $59.99 – 4 Stars
Benriach The Smoky Twelve 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Brilliant gold to copper color with a touch of ruby. The nose is intense with the scents of sweet, baked fruits with smoky, vanilla-tinged accents. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet and decadent core of brown sugar, caramel, cacao, oak, and candied orange peel. Full-bodied with a sweet oaked, fruit core with waves of campfire and tannic spice accents. $64.99 – 4 Stars
Regal Rogue Lively White Vermouth
Brilliant, pale straw color. The aromatics are bright and floral with sweet and tart lime with accents of thyme, lemongrass, jasmine, and subtle notes of capers. The palate echoes the nose while bursting with sweet white wine, lemon curd, and red grapefruit flavors supported by wild herbs and candied lime. Medium-bodied with great balance with vibrant, generous vinous fruit and citrus. Made with organic, un-wooded Chardonnay, lemon myrtle, desert lime, and native thyme among other botanicals. $19.99 – 4 Stars
Regal Rogue Daring Dry Vermouth
Brilliant, green/straw color. The nose is wonderfully complex offering scents of freshly mown grass, spring flowers, and citrus blossoms with accents of sea salt, thyme, and green olives. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a tart fruit core with sweet herbs, citrus, and a floral essence. Medium-bodied with ideal balance as the vibrant fruit is wrapped in an herbal salinity that linger on the palate. Made with organic Sauvignon Blanc, anise myrtle, quandong, and native thyme among other botanicals. $19.99 – 4.5 Stars
