GUINIGI

Spirit Reviews

91

Brad’s Coconut Blend of Rum & Cola ($2.50)

Freshly made in small batches using four-year, oak barrel-aged amber rum. The cola is house made cola utilizing raw cane sugar. Natural spices and citrus added. Coconut and lime have authentic flavor profiles and come through with a clean cola taste. Pleasantly carbonated with enough depth to well integrate with the smoothness of the rum.

90

Brad’s Original Blend of Rum & Cola ($2.50)

Similarly seamless with satisfying carbonation and a balanced cola sweetness with brown-sugared rum character. Lime notes pull through on the finish.

96

Bushwood Front 9, Black Label Straight Bourbon Whiskey, USA 95 proof ($120)

Aged seven years, this single barrel whiskey is stately and full-bodied, with intricate flavors of peach nectar, mango, and cinnamon hots. Mid-point notes of walnut, sassafras, and orange peel. A gregarious spirit, well detailed with an expressive finish of cedar, oatmeal, and spiced tea leaves.

93

Bushwood Looper Vodka, USA 80 proof ($40)

A charming, potato-based spirit with the tag line “Who’s Your Caddie” ™ (A looper refers to caddies who work at clubs and resorts). It offers a silky entry with a sprinkle of black pepper and a wash of vanilla. Clean, with an extended, luxurious finish.

95

Buzzard’s Roost Char #1, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, USA 105 proof ($65)

The mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley begins with a semi-sweet nose of maple oatmeal, cinnamon, and stone fruit. A sultry entry of mocha, buttered pecan, cedar, and black cherry. This is a balanced spirit, with a creamy base of apple pie and cinnamon.

95

Del Bac Classic American Single Malt Whiskey, Arizona ($60) 92 proof

Lemon verbena and sweet oak are bolstered by a honeyed foundation. Aged in Tucson’s desert climate, there is a note of smoke and earth, followed by loose tobacco and dried apricot. A full-bodied spirit aged in new American oak.

96

Del Bac Dorado American Single Malt Whiskey ($60) 92 proof

Reminiscent of a Speyside Single Malt, peach spice and salty notes of dark chocolate add to charred sandalwood and a stratum of flowery/herbal and biscuity flavors. Distilled from malted barley and smoked over a native mesquite fire. Notes of sassafras and cinnamon stick linger on the finish.

94

Del Bac Sentinel Rye, Tucson, Arizona 92 proof ($40)

This just-released Sonoran whiskey is aged in old Dorado mesquite casks for three months and filtered over mesquite charcoal. Tucson’s arid terroir has an impact with its huge day-to-night desert temperature swings and no humidity; in fact, angel share for this whiskey is water loss, not alcohol. Its 95% rye foundation offers cinnamon-maple, with peach-spiced pie. The maple settles on the tongue, warming and soothing. Oatmeal lends a note, with walnut bread broadening on the sultry finish.