Grand Traverse Distillery 116 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. Intensely spiced with loads of brown baking spices and a rich, fruity core with hints of cocoa, French roast coffee, and charred oak. The palate is equal to the nose with a rich, caramel drenched fruit core flanked by spicy rye, black pepper, allspice and dense caramel with hints of sweet vanilla. Super intense with rich bold fruit, caramel, spicy rye, and oak to spare. $47 – 4 Stars
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, crystal clear. Then nose is wonderfully fruity with baked apples in the lead supported by rich caramel, wild mint, lemon zest, vanilla, sweet red cherry, pralines, and honey. The palate echoes the nose delivering a decadent fruit and grain driven core with loads of brown baking spices, spicy rye, and generous oak notes. Bold flavors without being extreme featuring mature Bourbon while flashing a vibrant and youthful exuberance; it's perfectly balanced. $24.99 – 5 Stars
Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brilliant, crystal clear. Then nose is wonderfully fruity with baked apples in the lead supported by rich caramel, wild mint, lemon zest, vanilla, sweet red cherry, pralines, and honey. The palate echoes the nose delivering a decadent fruit and grain driven core with loads of brown baking spices, spicy rye, and generous oak notes. Bold flavors without being extreme featuring mature Bourbon while flashing a vibrant and youthful exuberance; it's perfectly balanced. $24.99 – 5 Stars
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is big and complex with rich caramel and baked grain notes supported by a collection of brown baking spices that include clove, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg with dried black fruit, ginger biscuits, vanilla, and toasted oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a silky and spicy, grain driven core with sweet honey notes and drier spices like black pepper emerging on the finish. This is a hearty Whiskey with many layers that become more defined and enjoyable with the addition of water. This is one of the most ideally balanced Rye Whiskies you will encounter. $37.99 – 5 Stars
Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant, crystal clear. The nose reveals vibrant ginger aromas married with brown sugar with hints of citrus. Its aromatics profile is a dead-ringer for my homemade ginger syrup. The palate is in full accord with the nose with a rich, silky entry that soon gives way to flavors of freshly grated ginger. The finish builds in peppery intensity and lingers on for minutes. The Barrow's Intense is truly intense with a fresh and assertive ginger note that delivers the flavors and power that ginger lovers desire. $31 – 4 Stars
St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur
Brilliant, crystal clear. As you would imagine the nose is quite floral with scents of wild spring flowers in the lead supported by ripe green melon, white grapes, mango, kiwi, and star fruit with a dose of tangerine zest. The palate is in full accord with the nose offering up waves of white peach with loads of floral and tropical fruit notes flanked by a crisp dose of acidity and subtle citrus zest note. Rich but very vibrant with fresh acidity framing the bright, fruit-driven core. Ideally balanced with a bright, almost airy finish. $19.99 – 4.5 Stars
Kringle Cream Liqueur
Thick, creamy alabaster with evident viscosity as the creamy liqueur clings to the glass for minutes. The nose is rich while subtle with an alluring butterscotch aromas with hints of almond butter and vanilla. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose offering waves of silky cream with dense stewed fruits, vanilla, hazelnut, and butterscotch with hints of sassafras and allspice. A lovely cream liqueur worthy of a place at your table and at your bar. $19.99 – 4 Stars
Michter’s US*1 Unblended American Whiskey
Beautiful deep amberandcopper with perfect clarity. The aromatics are simply beautiful seamlessly weaving notes of sweet grain, butter toffee, rich caramel, vanilla, and butterscotch with subtle hints of forest floor, and nutmeg. The palate is in full agreement with the nose offering waves of decadent caramel-laced Whiskey with roasted nuts, brown baking spices and brown butter. Ideally balanced inviting the next sip. The use of once used Bourbon barrels offers a delicacy and sense of maturity that can be absent in Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Bravo! $30 – 4 Stars
