Spirits Reviews

Brilliant, pale golden color. The nose is complex and wonderfully restrained as the Sherry cask is clearly evident without trampling on the spirit offering scents of cinnamon toast, sultanas, and orange peel with hints of citrus and wild herbs. The palate confirms the nose delivering a silky fruit-driven core with ripe tropical fruits joining the dried fruit, toasted malt, oak, and Sherry and Scottish tablet accents. Medium to full-bodied with lovely spice notes rising on the finish and sufficient touches of earth and embers to add balance. $70 – 4.5 Stars

Brilliant, deep golden/copper color. The nose is filled with the scents of roasted tropical fruits with supporting notes of peach stones and black plum with accents of cigar box and butterscotch. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush, honey-soaked fruit core with accents of brown baking spices and tawny port. Full-bodied with loads of sweet fruit, red wine, and decadent spices. Aged in Bourbon casks and then finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. $89.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, pale copper color. The nose is filled with the scents of stewed tropical fruits with a generous dose of vanilla, caramel malt, and brown baking spices with charred oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, Sherry-soaked fruit core with accents of candied orange peel, clove, and cinnamon bark. Full-bodied with loads of barrel-driven spice notes and an oaky finish. Non-chill filtered, rested on Bourbon and European Sherry casks. $79.99 – 4.5 Stars

Brilliant copper color. The nose is filled wit the scents of grass, baked pear, malt, toasted grains, and cherry with hints of leather and toffee. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red fruit and malt-driven core with accents of honey, stone fruits, and nougat. Medium to full-bodied with a rich but vibrant texture and ideal acidity. $35.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, crystal clear. At the first nosing your nose will confirm your eyes as the cask influence plays second fiddle to the bright floral and toasted grain notes with hints of hay, green apple, roasted almonds, coconut, and then a burst of sweet Sherry. The palate perfectly echoes the nose delivering a vibrant and pleasing core of grain and fruit mingling with more floral and citrus notes as it trails toward a subtle and dry finish. Medium-bodied to light with nuance being prized over heft while presenting a perfectly balanced dram. $99.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, pale gold color. The nose is very attractive with scents of dried fruit, citrus zest, and apricot with hints of sea salt (although not a coastal malt), orange peel, and caramel. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a richer, sweeter malt impression with flavors of toffee, chocolate, and baking spices with a hint of anise on the finish. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced with bright citrus accents taming the sweet caramel malt core. A great value. $35 – 4 Stars

Brilliant, deep golden color. The nose is vibrant with fresh scents of baked pear, toasted grain, caramel, orange peel, and mocha. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a fruit and toffee-driven core with waves of brown baking spices, oak and vanilla. Fill-bodied with bright fruit flavors with a generous dose of acidity and a dry, spicy finish. Matured in both American and Spanish oak casks. $59.99 – 4 Stars

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

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

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