Spirit Reviews

92

Chocolat Deluxe White Chocolate Liqueur ($17)

Rich, lush and supremely decadent, this liqueur offers a purity of white chocolate with light specks of nutmeg and oak and is incredibly delicious. 30 proof.

96

Cierto Private Collection – Añejo ($170)

Smoky oak meets undertones of vanilla, orange peel, coffee and white pepper in this highly impressive tequila, which is aged 18 months in French Limousin oak cask. Complex, sophisticated and smooth, with understated richness, the 100% estate-grown Blue Agave that goes into the making of it is grown partially in the hillsides of Jalisco. 80 proof.

98

Cierto Private Collection – Extra Añejo ($280)

Aged 48 months in French Limousin oak cask, this is an exceptionally smooth and excellent tequila, made from 100% estate-grown Blue Agave, the majority of it grown on hillsides. Opening notes of marshmallow, caramel and roasted coffee lead to a world of heat and smoky peat, with ongoing flavors of spice, dark cherry and cocoa. 80 proof.

93

Clyde May’s Alabama Whiskey ($30)

Potent in characteristics of corn, caramel molasses and apple, this is a long-lived spirit with great complexity and dark amber color. Alabama style uses dried apples in the aging process and the resulting flavors are well-defined and consistent, with a lasting smoothness that gives it an appealingly sippable quality. 85 proof.

Coppa Cocktails Sex on the Beach, USA, 30 Proof ($ ?)

This ready-to-drink fuchsia-hued cocktail stole our hearts – and won a double gold medal at the WSWA Access Live Competition this past March. It offers up aromas of hibiscus and bright cherry. Its actual line-up of ingredients includes vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and flavors of cranberry and pineapple. This was a winner with the most sophisticated of palates.

90

Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask ($85)

This is a malted barley whisky from Virginia Distillery Co. matured a minimum of four years in European red wine casks that presents as smooth and sweet. It tastes of cherry liqueur, brown sugar, vanilla, blood orange and molasses. Cohesive and well-made, it is imminently sippable with an impressive depth of flavor. 92 proof.

93

Courage & Conviction Double Cask Reserve ($90)

With mature flavors of caramel, hazelnut and baking spice, this 100% malted barley whisky is aged a minimum of 5 years in first-fill bourbon and red wine casks. Smooth, layered and racy, it offers resolved intensity, flavors of butterscotch and cherries jubilee and a lasting note of jalapeno and ginger spice. 96 proof.

92

Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask ($85)

Made from 100% malted barley, this Virginia-made whisky is aged a minimum of four years in first-fill sherry casks from Spain. Intense on the palate in smoky undertones, it offers earthy, floral flavors of baking spice, mixed nuts, fig and dried cherry. Smooth and lengthy, it finishes in a crisp note of lemon. 92 proof.