Spirits Reviews
Brilliant, crystal clear. The juniper leaps from the glass causing lovers of juniper-forward Gins to applaud. Behind the juniper is an exotic spice market redolent of whole spice curry blends with cumin, cardamon, and pepper showing prominence. The palate fully supports the nose while becoming even more expressive thanks to the overproof spirit. It's remarkably fruity with citrus in the lead being both semisweet and wonderfully tart with lovely earth, pepper, and citrus zest notes rising on the finish. Full-bodied with a silky and semisweet core spiked with complex botanicals while being perfectly balanced with a bright dose of citrus-driven acidity. $55 – 5 Stars
Brilliant, deep golden to copper color. The aromatics are lush and complex with generous waves of roasted orchard fruits with delicate accents of brown baking spices and vanilla. The palate echoes the nose delivering a beautiful, fruit-driven core with waves of caramel, spice, oak, and creamy vanilla fudge. Full-bodied with ideal balance as the vibrant spice notes with bright acidity leave you wanting the next sip. $3900 – 4.5 Stars
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Brilliant, deep bronze color. The nose is filled with bold scents of caramel, sweet baked apples, red chili-accented toffee, charred oak, and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet, baked fruit-centered core with generous supporting notes of vanilla cream, chocolate, orange peel, and hints of saddle leather. Full-bodied with bold fruit, caramel, and oak flavors that maintain a vibrancy due to bright acidity and ideal balance. Made with a blend of four, five, and six-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbons by the Wolf Spirit Distillery. $34.99 – 4.5 Stars
Brilliant copper to amber color. The aromatics are complex, beautiful, and a bit unexpected with intense wild honey notes in the lead supported by Christmas fruit cake, cinnamon, Nutella, and baked apples. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a rich, fruit-driven core with waves of baking spices, walnut toffee, and cashew butter with hints of ginger. Ideally balanced with great length and weight. $90 – 4.5 Stars
Brilliant amber color. The nose is wonderfully complex offering beautiful scents of orange peel, baked orchard fruits, sweet dates, honey, brown baking spices, and hints of a sweet turf fire. The palate echoes the nose delivering the promise of the nose in three dimensions with ripe, sweet peach and apple in the lead supported by notes of five spice, candied ginger, cardamon, and oak. The flavors linger on the palate for minutes. Lush and rich with perfect balance displaying impeccable grace with power. We reviewed Christian Drouin's 1990 vintage a decade ago and loved it. It has only risen in stature since 2010. $180 – 5 Stars
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
Deep, brilliant copper/amber color. The nose deftly marries the scents of rich, baked apple and sweet caramel contrasted by vibrant cider notes with accents of cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, red currant, and clove. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich and decadent apple-driven core with waves of brown baking spices, toffee, red fruits, and rich vanilla cream. Ideally balanced with great length and weight. We tasted this great Calvados 10 years younger and it was great and continues to be a great Vintage Calvados. $499 – 5 Stars
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
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
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Brilliant, 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