King of Kentucky Barrel No. 10 — 2024 16 Years Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Brilliant, deep amber color. The nose is incredibly generous and complex with notes of sweet fruit cake, dark chocolate, freshly toasted grains, roasted coconut, vanilla bean, and caramel with accents of candied ginger and brown baking spices. The palate echoes the nose, delivering a robust, caramel, and charred oak core with waves of chocolate covered coconut, roasted grains, and brown baking spices. Full-bodied with a complex and dense palate that needs a splash of water and time to aerate. Sip slowly, as it's not cheap, and there are just 5,100 bottles available. $349.99 – 4 Stars
Bols Amaretto
Brilliant, medium amber color. The nose is sweet and expressive, offering scents of Italian almond cookies, marzipan, and red cherry with the cherry pit accent. The palate is in full agreement with the nose, delivering an unctuous candied almond-driven core with accents of cherry Liquor, candied orange peel, and brown sugar. Medium-bodied and wonderfully vibrant, it's all we want in an Amaretto. $15 – 4 Stars
Acronimo Blanco Sotol
Brilliant, crystal clear. The nose is filled with the scents of smoky, earthy desert fruit with waves of dried chili, pear, citrus zest, and mineral. The palate echoes the nose, delivering a fire-roasted fruit-driven core with bold supporting notes of chili, smoke, citrus, dried herbs, and earth. Full-bodied, vibrant, and nimble with ideal balance and a long, lingering finish. $59.99 – 4.5 Stars
The Busker Single Grain Irish Whiskey
Brilliant, light golden straw color. The aromatics are very intense, offering aromas of cereal, slate, and caramel with supporting notes of honey, oak, blanched almonds, and bread. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a caramel-driven core with supporting flavors of cashew butter, baked apple, gingerbread, and red currant. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and impeccably balanced with a succulent texture. $39.99 – 4 Stars
The Busker Irish Pot Still Whiskey
Brilliant, medium golden/amber color. The aromatics are very intense, giving scents of honey, vanilla, and dried fruits with supporting notes of toffee, malted barley, almond butter, and orange peel. The palate echoes the nose delivering a honey-driven core with flavors akin to vanilla fudge, cashew butter, candied ginger, and charred oak. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $39.99 – 4.5 Stars
Bols Cocktails Espresso Martini (RTD)
Deep, dark brown to amber being nearly opaque. The nose is filled with scents of dark roasted espresso beans with supporting notes of cocoa nibs and hints of caramel. The palate echoes the nose while being sweeter with the sugar notes adding depth to the espresso elongating the palate with hints of vanilla bean and cocoa. Medium-bodied with nice balance and length. $2.99 – 4 Stars
Bols Cocktails Red Light Negroni (RTD)
Brilliant, medium ruby color. The aromatics are pleasingly bold and intense, offering scents of tart red berries and cranberry with supporting notes of orange peel and juniper. The palate confirms the nose delivering a macerated red fruit-driven core with flavors of orange peel, sweet red berries, and semi-tart red fruits. The finish is soft and sweet. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture. The look is right, the nose is spot on but the palate is a bit sweet lacking the tart accents that would make this RTD world-class. $2.99 – 4 Stars
Bols Cocktails Very Old Fashioned (RTD)
Brilliant, orange/amber color. The nose is wonderfully fragrant offering scents of orange peel, brown baking spices, vanilla, and barrel-aged spirit. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a fruit and spice-driven core with the aged Genever rising on the mid-palate and carrying through to the finish. Medium-bodied and ideally balanced just like a perfectly made craft cocktail. $2.99 – 4.5 Stars
Whiskey Del Bac Sentinel of the Desert Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, medium copper/bronze color. The nose is intense, offering scents of honey, campfire, citrus peel, and black tea with supporting notes of smoke, ginger, and nutmeg. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a candied ginger-driven core with flavors of caramel, cinnamon, toffee, and oak. The finish is long and luxurious with hints of black pepper. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with an opulent texture. $40 – 4.5 Stars
Sagamore Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, deep amber color. The aromatics are very intense, offering scents of baking spices, baked apple, and ginger biscuits with supporting notes of dried fruits, charred oak, and sultanas. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a candied ginger-driven core with flavors of cereal, honey, and walnut. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with a chewy texture. $39 – 4 Stars
