Nardini Aquavite di Vinaccia alla Ruta - Flavored Grappa Grappa
Crystal clear with faint cooper-green color. The nose is amazingly complex offering scents of dried blueberry laced with the wild herbal aroma of rue (an herb thought to have sundry medicinal properties). The palate is wildly fruity touched with fresh, green herbs and green tea tannins. Medium-bodied with nice balance and long lingering flavors. I find it to be fascinating. An original flavor that will evoke a love or hate response.$65 – 3 Stars
Brugal Anejo Rum
Deep amber color. Seductively smells of English toffee, marzipan, nougat, hazelnuts and butter. Off-dry tastes of dark caramel and bittersweet chocolate. It may seem too luscious to mix but try it anyway as it adds great depth to your favorite Rum cocktails. $25 – 3.5 Stars
Ron Matusalem Platino Rum
Crystal clear. The nose is quite assertive with notes of toffee, vanilla, and molasses filling the nose. On the downside, there is also a persistent aroma of burning tires that at time masks the pretty tropical notes. The palate is quite viscous and it finishes very sweet, perhaps too sweet. This Rum is a puzzle as it has very pretty elements while it also offers some unattractive edges. $ – 2.5 Stars
Cubaney Anejo 3 Years Old Rum
Deep bronze color. A soft, rich, and sweet nose with scents of vanilla, cola, tropical fruits and coconut. The palate offers a soft and silky mouthfeel with flavors of cola, vanilla, and fruit. Ideal for beach and poolside cocktails. Not terribly complex but well delivered, pleasurable, and a good value. $14.99 – 3 Stars
Brugal 1888 Gran Reserva Familiar Rum
Brilliant amber to mahogany in color. The nose is like nirvana to those of us who appreciate the complex and beautiful aromas of aged Rum. Scents of roasted tropical fruits, roasted almonds, treacle, brown butter, allspice, clove, cocoa, and vanilla fill the nose. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and silky core with generous spice notes to add intrigue and shape. A wonderful and complex Rum from Brugal. $49.99 – 4.5 Stars
Bushmills 10 Years Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Pale copper color. The nose showcases mineral, orange marmalade, and almonds with hints of smoke. Altogether lean. The palate is far more generous, offering flavors of biscuit, caramel, toffee, dried fruits, and marzipan. Dry and a bit austere with greatly defined note of grain and a clever, subtle use of wood. An aperitif Whiskey. $39.99 – 4 Stars
Bushmills 16 Years Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Deep copper to amber color. The nose is generous and quite herbal with lush with honey and caramel. Scents of eucalyptus, mint, and pine needles, mingle with sweet malt, caramel, candied cashews, and dark chocolate. The palate echoes the nose being lush while lively with accents of dry citrus zest and earth oak tones. Ideally balanced and full of intrigue. $79.99 – 4 Stars
Bushmills 1608 - Anniversary Edition Blended Irish Whiskey
Brilliant amber color. At the first nosing you are aware that this is a beauty, a special whiskey worthy of a special anniversary from a top distiller. Complex aromas of barley honey, with sweet caramel malt, toffee, figs, brown butter, and hints of the tropics fill the nose. The palate echoes the mélange of scents delivered on a full-bodied palate that generously provides endless waves of flavor. The finest Bushmills Whiskey that I have ever had. $89.99 – 5 Stars
Bushmills 21 Years Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Bright dark amber color. The nose reveals a clever marriage of dark, dried fruits, like red and black currants, and apricot, with toffee, vanilla, cocoa nibs, and roasted nuts. The palate echoes the nose being harmonious, rich, and ideally balanced, with alternating waves of malt, toasted grains, nuts, and more dried fruits with accents of candied ginger. A lovely and contemplative Whiskey. $109.99 – 5 Stars
Bushmills Black Bush Blended Irish Whiskey
Deep gold to copper color. The nose explodes with scents of dried apricots, prunes, dates, sweet sherry, roasted nuts, almond brittle, mango, and a mélange of tropical notes. A rich, semi-viscous mid-palate that expands with notes of dark chocolate, treacle, and decadent fig preserves, in full agreement with the nose. A classy Whiskey that is showing better than ever. $34.99 – 4 Stars
