Spirits Reviews

Brilliant, pale gold/copper color. The nose is seductive with warm aromatics of toasted cereal enrobed in caramel with accents of baked peach, toasted nuts, and cinnamon. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a toffee-driven core with supporting notes of brioche, candied cashews, honey, and black pepper accents on the finish. Full-bodied with a lush, silky texture balanced by generous spice notes. $34.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is fresh and vibrant with scents of mineral, green tall grasses (remember that sugar cane is a grass), and wet river stones. The palate echoes the nose delivering a silky, slightly viscous center with lovely supporting notes of pepper and citrus zest that keep it dry and refreshing. Medium-bodied with subtle flavors and enough bright spice notes that add interest and length. Made in Hawaii with organic sugar cane. $29.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, deep amber color. The nose is nowhere near subtle leading with classic Islay smokiness and peat with loads of brown baking spice, Sherry, and oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and sweet peat-driven core with generous amounts of fruitcake, tropical fruits, and candied ginger. Full-bodied with a viscous, nearly oily texture that lingers on for minutes tamed by sea salt, pepper, and oak. A love letter to peat heads in the bottle. $80 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, golden/copper color. The nose is wonderfully fruity and floral with dried plum and apricot in the lead supported by rich caramel, wild mint, brown baking spices, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a decadent fruit and brown baking spices core, with a generous addition of spicy rye, and pleasing pepper notes. Bold flavors without being extreme featuring mature Bourbon while flashing a vibrant and youthful exuberance; it's perfectly balanced. Made with a mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley. $44.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, amber/copper color. The nose is beautifully complex while also directly offering scents of caramel cream, orange zest, baked peach, and cocoa nibs with accents of toasted oak and ginger biscuits. The palate echoes the nose delivering a stone fruit and toffee-driven core with supporting notes of brown baking spice, toasted oak, and sandalwood. Full-bodied and nicely balanced offering a rich core with very vibrant flavors, which is admirable considering the strength. Made with a mash bill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. $49.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, dark mahogany color. The nose is filled with scents of dark roasted espresso beans with supporting notes of dark chocolate with hints of vanilla bean and brown sugar. The palate is in full agreement with the nose while being a bit sweeter as the sugar adds depth to the espresso elongating the palate with notes of vanilla bean and cocoa nibs. Full-bodied and generous with espresso and supporting flavors — ideal for cocktails. $24.99 – 4 Stars

Cloudy, looking akin to freshly squeezed lemon juice. The nose is filled with the scents of freshly cut lemon zest with accents of tart lemon juice, hard lemon candy, and lemon oil. The palate echoes the nose delivering a moderately sweet, concentrated lemon flavor with loads of freshly squeezed lemon zest and sweet cane sugar. Medium-bodied and vibrant with abundant, fresh citrus flavors — slightly drier than most commercial Limoncello. $24.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, dark mahogany color. The nose is filled with the scent of espresso beans, dark cocoa nibs, black coffee, and vanilla bean. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich but nimble roasted coffee core with supporting notes of brown sugar, cocoa, and vanilla cream. Medium-bodied with layers of coffee and dark chocolate with enough dark roasted coffee accents to add balance and interest. $26.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, crystal clear with clear signs of viscosity. The aromatics are profound with pure scents of star anise and fennel seed supported by notes of pepper, dried flowers, and citrus accents. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a viscous anise explosion with flanking notes of candied orange peel and black licorice. Full-bodied and wonderfully intense while maintaining some vibrancy and balance despite the sweet core. $24.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, amber/copper color. The nose is very expressive with intense aromatics of raw cereal with complex accents of wet teak, cigar box, and nutmeg with hints of wild honey. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and spicy grain-driven core with butter and pepper toffee, saddle leather, and brown baking spices. Full-bodied with bold spice and oak flavors that maintain a vibrancy due to bright acidity and ideal balance. $89.99 – 4 Stars