Spirits Reviews

Brilliant amber color with an orange tint. The nose is incredibly fragrant and complex with dried fruits, vanilla, caramel, nougat, orange zest, and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush but sprite mouthfeel with waves of silky fruit and caramel with flanking spice notes and a deft touch of oak. New flavors are revealed with each sip and a splash of water presents even more. $49.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant amber color with an orange tint. The aromatics rise from the glass as it's being poured. Nosing can be accomplished from 18 inches away. The nose is incredibly fragrant and complex offering up the essence of Bourbon with dried fruits, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, orange zest, and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich but vibrant mouthfeel with waves of silky baked fruit, caramel, clove, allspice, and black pepper. A splash of water brings all the flavors into harmony. Super! $49.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant pale golden color. The aromatics are simply beautiful offering much more than ginger alone with supporting notes of citrus zest and pulp, sugar cane juice, lemongrass, and galangal with hints of jasmine. The palate echoes the nose delivering a potent ginger and pepper surge presented on a viscous canvas that carries the flavors on for minutes after swallowing. A super digestif and ripe and ready for endless cocktail applications. $39.99 – 4 Stars

Deep copper with orange highlights. The nose is fresh, vibrant, and unmistakably Grand Marnier offering bright scents of orange and tangerine with orange zest, fully integrated wood notes, rich Cognac with hints of vanilla, allspice, and clove. The palate echoes the nose delivering sequential waves of candied orange zest with lush Cognac and exotic spices. This is a true luxury item with very limited availability. For those of us shopping in the strata below luxury be comforted by the knowledge that the classic GM Cordon Rouge is nearly as good and it does not require a layaway plan. $799.99 – 5 Stars

Deep, dark mahogany with perfect clarity catching the light with copper edges. The nose is simply incredible offering generous Sherry and caramel notes with loads of dried fruits including dates, peach, apple, and candied orange peel with accents of leather, roasted walnuts, and brown baking spices. The palate is perfectly true to the aromatics expressing its full treasure with a modest splash of water. It's a real charmer whose only imperfection is the firm wood notes on the finish. The ideal gift for a special friend turning 50 this year. $949.99 – 4 Stars

Deep copper color with perfect clarity. The aromatics are quite subtle when first poured but it blossoms and grows in short order revealing waves of candied roasted nuts, caramel, candied orange peel, and orchard fruits with accents of nutmeg, cinnamon, and complex sherry notes with hints of black pepper and clove. The palate echoes the nose being rich while delicate with layers of nuanced fruit and spice flavors. Incredibly balanced with a remarkable vibrancy that defies its age. A beautiful malt with an unexpected delicacy and style. The ideal gift for a special friend turning 40 this year. $599.99 – 5 Stars

Bright and surprisingly light colored with bright golden hues. The aromatics are bright and youthful with scents of candied ginger, fresh malt and grain, sandalwood, roasted nuts, dried apricot, and soft Sherry notes. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose and more with an unctuous and viscous core of Sherry and sweet malt flanked by brown baking spices, roasted nuts, black pepper, and butter toffee. This great old malt benefits from a modest dose of water that releases the complex aromas and flavors. Amazing. The ideal gift for a special friend turning 30 this year. $329.99 – 5 Stars

Brilliant amber color. The nose is vibrant with the scents of sweet orange peel, wild flowers, rich honey, Rum, and blood orange with hints of nutmeg and vanilla. The palate echoes the nose with a lush honey filled core and just enough acidity to keep it fresh. This is not a Rum rather a Rum-based liqueur and an attractive one at that. The cocktail applications are endless as we are thinking of a twist on the classic Daiquiri using nothing but Rum, Arehucas Ron Miel, and limejuice. $20 – 4 Stars

Perfectly clear with a hint of pewter. Fresh and delicate on the nose with pure, candied orange peel with delicious, concentrated orange and tangerine juice notes. The palate is incredibly viscous with a sweet, orange-centric entry that gives way to orange zest, ginger, and hints of clove. The spicy elements keep it vibrant and balanced. $36.99 – 4 Stars

Brilliant golden color with perfect clarity. The nose is a true force of nature ideally marrying scents of ripe orchard fruits, sweet grain, coconut, candied orange peel, roasted cashews, and pure wild flower honey. The palate echoes the nose delivering waves of classic Irish Whiskey infused with honey, citrus, and toasted nuts. Perfectly balanced offering just enough sweetness to give weight to the rich honey notes while being nearly as dry as a Whiskey. This great flavored spirit has whiskey at its heart. The best of the honeyed spirits we have sampled. $24.99 – 4 Stars