Spirits Reviews
Brilliant, pale gold/copper. The aromatics are complex while delicate offering scents of ripe orchard and tropical fruits with vanilla bean, roasted nuts and toasted cereal. The palate echoes the nose delivering a sweet malt and grain-focused core with supporting notes of coffee, brown baking spices, vanilla, and hints of chocolate. Medium-bodied with ideal balance aided by a bright dose of acidity with all aspects in perfect measure. $24.99 – 4 Stars
Brilliant, pale golden straw. The nose is generous, offering scents of poached pear, baked apple, and rich custard notes with accents of roasted grain and hints of wild mint. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a decadent, baked orchard fruit in pastry core with flanking notes of mocha, oak, and hints of Sherry. Medium to full-bodied with perfect balance and a sweet, prolonged finish that carries the fruit on for minutes. $34.99 – 4.5 Stars
Brilliant, pale golden straw color. The aromatics are complex and generous, featuring sweet agave at its heart with accents of vanilla bean, caramel, and red fruits with hints of citrus and black pepper. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush, baked agave driven core with generous notes of wild honey, Whiskey barrel, and vanilla cream. Wonderfully balanced with bright acidity adding freshness with lingering pepper and spice accents. Aged in American Oak Whiskey barrels then finished in Napa Valley Cabernet barrels. $42.99 – 4.5 Stars
Brilliant, copper color. The nose is a full buffet of aromas ranging from Whiskey to red wine with baked orchard fruits, candied citrus, and pickle-barrel. The only thing missing is Tequila. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a sweet, red berry jam core flanked by waves of caramel, cigar box, allspice, and vanilla-soaked oak. Full-bodied and absolutely decadent — desert-like with loads of fruit and a spicy finish. Aged in American Oak Bourbon barrels then finished in Alexander Valley Cabernet barrels. $59.99 – 3.5 Stars
Brilliant, beautiful mahogany color with hints of amber. The aromatics are quite complex with waves of roasted nuts, vanilla bean, nougat, raisins, and dates. The palate echoes the nose delivering a generous, unctuous caramel and toffee, with dried fruits, clove, allspice, and oak. Full-bodied with complex layers of fruit, caramel, spice, presented with a silky texture. $115 – 4 Stars
Brilliant, beautiful mahogany color with hints of amber. The nose is quite elegant and complex, offering scents of toffee, aged leather, dried fruits, and vanilla beans. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a generous cream caramel core with roasted nuts, nutmeg, brown butter, and Sherry with subtle hints of dark chocolate. Full-bodied presenting a very sophisticated, semi-dry style that shows off this great old Brandy. $155 – 4.5 Stars
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Brilliant, bronze to amber color. The nose is filled with the scents of baked apples with accents of sweet, charred oak, caramel, vanilla fudge, and hints of five-spice. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich yet sprite, apple-driven core with supporting notes of brown baking spices, sweet caramel, oak, and cinnamon. Full-bodied with sweet fruit supported by a generous dose of spice and caramel balanced with bright acidity. This is an American classic and it's as good as ever. $24.99 – 4 Stars
Brilliant, deep bronze/ruby color. The nose is filled with generous scents of caramel, brown baking spices, toffee, sweet oak, and hints of red berries. The palate echoes the nose while delivering more red fruits in the form of cherry and red currant with silky accents of vanilla fudge, sweet corn pudding, and charred oak and hints of chocolate. Full-bodied with bold fruit, grain, and sweet caramel with loads of spice of oak. $120 – 4 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